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The original Electro-Voice ZLX-12P was, for many years, the undisputed champion of portable, powered PA speakers. It hit a sweet spot of affordability, reliability, and performance that made it a go-to for mobile DJs, working musicians, small venues, and a staple of the speaker hire market. So, when Electro-Voice announced the second-generation "G2" series, the question on everyone's mind was: How do you improve a legend?

It turns out, you do it by upgrading just about everything under the hood. The ZLX-12 G2 isn't just a minor refresh; it's a significant technological leap forward, packing in features usually reserved for much more expensive speakers.

First Look: Familiar Form, New Brains

Out of the box, the ZLX-12 G2 looks familiar. It retains the lightweight yet rugged polypropylene enclosure and the versatile "sit and flip" design that lets you use it as a main speaker on a pole or as a floor monitor.

The real changes become apparent when you power it on. The old, small screen is gone, replaced by a much larger, full-color LCD. This screen is the window into the G2's new brain: a powerful, Dynacord-powered Digital Signal Processor (DSP).

The Power of DSP and the Built-in Mixer

This DSP is the speaker's magic ingredient. Where the original had basic presets, the G2 provides a full suite of tools perfect for any event:

• Application Presets: Standard modes for Music, Live, Speech, and Club are finely tuned and sound great right away.
• Subwoofer Matching: Automatically applies the correct crossover and alignment for various EV subwoofers.
• Automatic Feedback Suppression: A lifesaver for anyone using microphones, this feature actively finds and cuts feedback frequencies without killing your sound.
• Full Parametric EQ: For advanced users, you can dive in and fine-tune the speaker to any room.

This is all controlled by a single "push-and-turn" encoder, making navigation surprisingly intuitive.

The G2 also boasts a full-featured 3-channel digital mixer. You get two XLR/TRS combo jacks with 24V phantom power (a nice touch for condenser mics) and a third channel for Bluetooth streaming or a Hi-Z instrument input. This means for a solo acoustic act or presenter, you could easily leave the external mixer at home. This makes it an incredibly versatile option for speaker hire, as it can solve multiple problems with one box.

Sound and Performance

So, how does it sound? In a word: impressive.

The 1000W Class-D amplifier provides plenty of headroom, allowing the speaker to get loud without sounding strained. The 12-inch woofer and 1.4-inch compression driver deliver a sound profile that is classic EV: clear, articulate, and forward.

Vocals and spoken word are exceptionally clear, cutting through a mix without being harsh—perfect for wedding speeches or corporate presentations. For DJs, the bass response is surprisingly robust for a 12-inch cabinet. While it won't rattle your bones like a dedicated 18-inch sub, it delivers a tight, punchy low end that is more than adequate for mobile gigs, parties, and small-to-medium-sized events. When you're arranging a speaker hire for a party, you want this exact combination of punchy, clear sound that doesn't become harsh.

The Smart Upgrade: Bluetooth & App Control

The most significant workflow upgrade for any DIY event is the addition of True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Bluetooth. You can stream high-quality audio to one speaker, and it will send the stereo signal to a second G2 speaker wirelessly—no cables needed.

This is all tied together by the QuickSmart Mobile app. You can control every function of the mixer and DSP for a full stereo pair of speakers right from your phone or tablet. This is a game-changer for a hire, allowing you to walk the room and tweak the EQ, adjust channel levels, and dial in the sound from the audience's perspective.

The Verdict

The Electro-Voice ZLX-12 G2 takes the beloved formula of its predecessor and modernizes it in every way that matters. The original was a great speaker; the G2 is a great sound system packed into a single box.

For mobile DJs, musicians, event hosts, and small venues, it is arguably the new benchmark—especially when you're looking for a high-quality speaker hire. It provides the power, clarity, and flexibility of a high-end system with the simplicity and portability that customers love.

The Good:

• Excellent sound clarity, especially for vocals (perfect for speeches!)
• Powerful and user-friendly Dynacord DSP.
• Feature-packed 3-channel digital mixer (means you might not need to hire a separate mixer).
• Full app control and True Wireless Stereo Bluetooth (makes DIY setup a breeze).
• Remains lightweight and portable.

The Considerations:

• Like any 12-inch speaker, bass-heavy music (like hip-hop or EDM) at high volumes will still benefit from a paired subwoofer. (Ask us about our speaker and sub packages!)
• The sheer number of features might be overkill for someone who only needs a simple, "dumb" speaker. (If that's you, chat with us about our other simple-to-use options!)

If you're in the market for a powered speaker that offers maximum performance and flexibility for the price, the ZLX-12 G2 should be at the very top of your list.