From stever27@yahoo.com Sun May 07 09:25:06 2006
Subject:tried a K4 yesterday

A local store had a K4 in stock, so I took my Yorkville kb200 amp
and my ensoniq ks32 keyboard and compared the two amps. I ran a left
and right out of my keyboard into the stereo inputs on the k4, and
channel one and two on the mono kb200. I found the following....
1. The k4 seemed underpowered. At the same volume settings (5 on the
channel and 7-8 on the main volume), my kb200 was at least 50%
louder. I was suprised, because the k4 is rated at 200 watts to the
woofer and 50 watts to each midrange and tweeter, while my kb200 is
only rated at 150 watts. (Then I realized that the kb200 has a 4 0hm
woofer, which probably boosts the power significantly.)
Next, I turned the k4 volumes up to the max on the channel and on
the main control. It was loud, but not a rich, full loud that could
cut through a high energy rock or blues band situation (and it was
maxed out). My impression was that the k4 would be great for a solo
gig, or a jazz band without too many horns, but inadequate in
anything louder.

2. Sound quality...there was no denying that stereo patches sound
much better on the K4. Much more pleasing to the ears. However,
there seemed to be some compromise on the deep bass tones with the
K4 12 inch woofer, (my kb200 has a 15 inch woofer). This bass
compromise was more obvious at louder volumes.
I didn't have my CX3 with me, so I can't comment on the tube channel
sound.

Overall, I felt disappointed with the K4. I don't understand why
Traynor went to so much effort to have all those great features
(stereo, solid state and tube amp, preset eq settings, 3 band eq on
each channel), and didn't use a 15 inch woofer and a much bigger
power amp. Looks like if I want to have a stereo sound with power,
I'm going to have to buy a stereo power mixer, a tube preamp for the
CX3, and the speakers all individually, and then be prepared to
carry more equipment around to the gigs.