Electro-Voice ZLX-12BTFrom real comments

Name: Electro-Voice ZLX-12BT
Rating: 1.8 (13 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 13 mentions across 5 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment40%

PROS 40%

CONS 60%

Rank based on 13 mentions across 5 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a loud, clean-sounding PA speaker for live bands or parties
You value strong manufacturer support and warranty service
You mainly plan to use wired/XLR input rather than relying heavily on Bluetooth

What users love

Clean, powerful soundNotable0 mentions

Strongly positive

Skip this if...

You need rock-solid, long-range Bluetooth streaming
You already own the older non-BT ZLX and don't need wireless
You're sensitive to speakers running warm during extended use

What users complain about

Confusing dual-speaker/stereo pairing0 mentions

Generally negative

Unreliable Bluetooth range0 mentions

Strongly criticized

Runs hot0 mentions

Generally negative

Bluetooth feature seen as overpriced0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice

1Premium

Sony ULT Tower 9

Balanced, clear sound signaturePowerful deep bass in ULT 1 modeBattery portability advantage over JBL 710Some users still wanted deeper bassHigh price pointLDAC unavailable in stereo pair mode

Sony ULT Tower 9

Balanced, clear sound signature

Powerful deep bass in ULT 1 mode

Battery portability advantage over JBL 710

Some users still wanted deeper bass

High price point

LDAC unavailable in stereo pair mode

Best value

2Mid

Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plus

Excellent value for moneyLoud, powerful outputTrusted brand ecosystemLeft channel audio cutoutManual/hardware mismatchNo TWS/Partycast with original Motion Boom

Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plus

Excellent value for money

Loud, powerful output

Trusted brand ecosystem

Left channel audio cutout

Manual/hardware mismatch

No TWS/Partycast with original Motion Boom

3Premium

RCF ART 935-A

Detailed, Audiophile-Like SoundPowerful Bass Without a SubwooferDrives Repeat Purchases and Owner LoyaltyConfusing Model Lineup vs ART 945-APerceived as Overpriced

RCF ART 935-A

Detailed, Audiophile-Like Sound

Powerful Bass Without a Subwoofer

Drives Repeat Purchases and Owner Loyalty

Confusing Model Lineup vs ART 945-A

Perceived as Overpriced

Electro-Voice EKX-12P

Fuller, warmer bassWood cabinet constructionAvoids harsh treble under demandImprovement over ELX seen as modestSimilar mids and highs to cheaper model

Electro-Voice EKX-12P

Fuller, warmer bass

Wood cabinet construction

Avoids harsh treble under demand

Improvement over ELX seen as modest

Similar mids and highs to cheaper model

5Budget

Yamaha DBR12

Warm, natural soundStrong bass and SPLLong warranty and strong supportCan sound mid-heavy or less clean than EVLess bass depth than some rivals for DJ useCooling fan runs constantly

Yamaha DBR12

Warm, natural sound

Strong bass and SPL

Long warranty and strong support

Can sound mid-heavy or less clean than EV

Less bass depth than some rivals for DJ use

Cooling fan runs constantly

6Premium

JBL PartyBox 1000

Room-shaking bassExtremely loud outputLong-term owner satisfactionHigh priceUnbalanced or sharp trebleDJ mixing latency via RCA input

JBL PartyBox 1000

Room-shaking bass

Extremely loud output

Long-term owner satisfaction

High price

Unbalanced or sharp treble

DJ mixing latency via RCA input

7Premium

JBL PartyBox 520

Deep, Powerful BassGood Middle Ground in LineupGreat Stereo Pairing via AuracastHigh PriceHeavier Than ExpectedUnderwhelming vs 710 for the Price

JBL PartyBox 520

Deep, Powerful Bass

Good Middle Ground in Lineup

Great Stereo Pairing via Auracast

High Price

Heavier Than Expected

Underwhelming vs 710 for the Price

8Mid

Electro-Voice Evolve 30M

Full, loud sound for its sizeLightweight and portableBuilt-in mixer eliminates external gearConfusing setup for some sourcesUnderpowered/lacking midrange for someApp/settings not saved reliably

Electro-Voice Evolve 30M

Full, loud sound for its size

Lightweight and portable

Built-in mixer eliminates external gear

Confusing setup for some sources

Underpowered/lacking midrange for some

App/settings not saved reliably

9Premium

Sony SRS-XV800

Smooth, defined bassGood value when discountedMulti-speaker pairingHigh retail priceUnderwhelming soundstage for someFlashy lights hurt aesthetics

Sony SRS-XV800

Smooth, defined bass

Good value when discounted

Multi-speaker pairing

High retail price

Underwhelming soundstage for some

Flashy lights hurt aesthetics

10Premium

Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM

Rich, powerful bassOutperforms JBL BoomBox in comparisonsLong-term reliability for many ownersReduced lifespan/durability issuesPower button failuresApp/connectivity quirks

Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM

Rich, powerful bass

Outperforms JBL BoomBox in comparisons

Long-term reliability for many owners

Reduced lifespan/durability issues

Power button failures

App/connectivity quirks

You are here

31Mid

Electro-Voice ZLX-12BT

Clean, powerful soundConfusing dual-speaker/stereo pairingUnreliable Bluetooth rangeBluetooth feature seen as overpriced

Electro-Voice ZLX-12BT

Clean, powerful sound

Confusing dual-speaker/stereo pairing

Unreliable Bluetooth range

Bluetooth feature seen as overpriced

Deep bass
1. JBL PartyBox 520arrow_upward8
2. Sony ULT Tower 9arrow_upward8
3. Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOMarrow_upward8
Stereo pairing
1. JBL PartyBox 520arrow_upward6
2. Electro-Voice Evolve 30Marrow_upward5
3. JBL PartyBox 1000arrow_upward3
High price
1. Sony SRS-XV800arrow_downward2
2. JBL PartyBox 520arrow_downward10
Clear sound
1. RCF ART 935-Aarrow_upward5
2. Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plusarrow_upward4
Good value
1. Electro-Voice Evolve 30Marrow_upward4
2. Yamaha DBR12arrow_upward3
Expensive
1. Sony ULT Tower 9arrow_downward1
2. Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOMarrow_downward2
3. JBL PartyBox 1000arrow_downward3

Overall Impression

Sound quality wins over skeptics and switchers alike. Multiple commenters describe the sound as clean, free, open, and even 'magikal,' with one buyer abandoning a wait for QSC speakers after being surprised by the ZLX-12BT's performance. A factory user says its loudness convinced five coworkers to buy their own. A rock band lead singer praises EV's PA sound generally across multiple units owned. Even a critic of the price increase calls it a 'good general purpose speaker overall,' suggesting audio performance is rarely in dispute.

Bluetooth connectivity is the clear weak spot. One user experienced dropouts just 2-3 meters away with no interference present, eventually returning the speaker after EV support couldn't resolve it via firmware. Another owner flatly states 'the Bluetooth is horrible.' Several other commenters ask basic questions about linking two units or maintaining connection distance, suggesting the BT pairing and stereo-linking experience is unclear or inconsistent for many buyers, even among those otherwise satisfied with the speaker.

Value and support draw mixed but notable feedback. One long-time EV owner argues the BT version is overpriced compared to the older model, since a cheap Bluetooth puck could achieve the same result for far less than the roughly $200 price increase. Conversely, another buyer got four units for $350 each and calls them clean-sounding value. Bosch (the parent company) reportedly provided free repair service, which one user highlighted as a strong reason to recommend the brand overall.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

graphic_eqClean, powerful soundNotable

4 mentions

Strongly positive

Commenters repeatedly describe the sound as free, open, clean, and impressive enough to make them abandon other brands. One even called EV's sound 'magikal' after owning multiple units.

@SpringAwakening01

Great speakers !!!!! I used a EV zlx 200 18sp subwoofer to push the low ends and i got so many compliments!!!! I would recommend a subwoofer if your event is outdoors like mine was . Indoors these babies sound awesome, too, but a subwoofer is recommended to push the low ends . 😎👍(ZLX-12BT)

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May 7, 2024

@smokedaddy1

I got 4 new for 350 each last year ...... sounds so nice and just clean 🥳🥳🥰🥰

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April 23, 2022

@Arcturian1111

Viewing as an end user, lead singer for a classic rock band in NY, known as White Room. EV truly makes some awesome PA speakers. The sound you get from EV is magikal. I wonder if they are owned by Bosch, as the manuals say Bosch on them. I currently own 3 - EV 12s\" one with blue tooth and 2 without, and also a Mackie 15\" Thump thru a Yamaha MG12XU Mixing board. One day I may purchase a subwoofer. No need right now. Unless we move into a larger audience and or club.

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March 31, 2022

@ricmightybonefeliciano9800

I went shopping to replace my QSC speakers and was frustrated that they were backorder til Oct. So I got ZLX12BT, intending to temporarily have 'something ' until the QSCs were available again. \nOMG. So surprised at how good these sound, so free and open. It's permanent! I'm keeping these. So great!\n(Really great review, by the way. I'm subscribing)

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September 16, 2021

help_outlineConfusing dual-speaker/stereo pairing

5 mentions

Generally negative

Multiple commenters were unsure how to link two units for simultaneous or stereo Bluetooth playback, indicating the process is not intuitive or well documented.

@donkov5322

Im about to order 2 of these, what cord do I need to have them both play at the same time? How far can you walk away with your phone before it disconnects ? Thx

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June 4, 2022

@thearoom

Which is better JBL IRX112BT or Electro-Voice EV ZLX-12BT 12 ? Also if you have 2 blue tooth versions are they in stereo when streaming music?

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June 15, 2021

@oldsmobileaurora7418

Please tell me how to connect both speakers to bluetooth at the same time?

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December 7, 2020

@ad_pico5621

Hi around 12:25 in this video if I heard correctly you can't connect TWO .....ZLX15BT's with the same Bluetooth device and have them output the same song simultaneously????!!! :( Did I hear correctly??

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June 10, 2020

bluetooth_disabledUnreliable Bluetooth range

2 mentions

Strongly criticized

One user experienced frequent BT dropouts at just 2-3 meters with no other interference, leading to a full return of the unit after support couldn't fix it. Another user bluntly called the Bluetooth 'horrible.'

@robgee8187

Great speaker. But I have to be honest. The Bluetooth is horrible.

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December 15, 2021

@sibbese3740

BT range is worse than bad !!!\nI just bought one of these for a summer party but a big deal worth mentioning with these speakers is the bad BT range. All my devices back home have way better communication range. It can just cut out when you are 2-3 meters away, with no other devices around(in the back yard). I have mailed the EV support so we'll see what they say about it. But it doesn't seem to be any way to improve signal or change the firmware on the speaker.\nTo follow up the BT range or rather the occasional cut outs in signal on these have led me to return this speaker. I don't feel that it completely ready developed BT wise and will maybe have a look back when a mkII version is available. The sound is quite good and for the about 450$/400€. I have only connected them via BT and it will work well as a party speaker but with the hassles mentioned above.

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June 18, 2020

warningRuns hot

1 mentions

Generally negative

At least one owner reported the units running very warm, bordering on hot, during use.

@kennyplay5982

Question. Is anyone finding these run HOT??? ours are very warm, borderline hot. Thx

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June 18, 2021

attach_moneyBluetooth feature seen as overpriced

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A longtime EV owner argues the BT addition only cost about $30 to implement but raised the price roughly $200, making it feel like a rip-off versus the older non-BT model.

@BillyBlaze7

Ive owned about 10 of the older versions that these replaced.\nHonestly I think its a rip off...\nThey added a $30.00 bluetooth unit and raised the price like $200. each.3Its pointless, most mixing consoles will already have bluetooth and even if they dont you can buy a $30.oo bluetooth receiver puck from Hosa and get the same result or just use a cable coming off your player or phone to go into your mixer to get your audio to play through the speakers.\nThey should have added something more than bluetooth because it just doesnt justify that much of a price increase over the previous version.\nIn fact I would rather save the money and buy the previous version, and they knew most people would so they discontinued that speaker. The would never sell any of these new ones if the older cheaper ones were still offered.\nKind of the same bs like when a medicine goes off patent and the pharma company changes one molecule in the pill and re-patents it to gouge their customers for essentially the same item......same old story, same old BS

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February 7, 2024

Electro-Voice ZLX-12BTchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Deep bass

Stereo pairing

High price

Clear sound

Good value

Expensive

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Electro-Voice ZLX-12BTFrom real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression