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DJ Tech Reviews

Electro-Voice ZLX12BT

A light 12-inch powered PA speaker with Bluetooth and simple DSP presets, now discontinued; bass is light without a sub.

Electro-Voice ZLX-12BT at an angle

Photos: Electro-Voice

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100%

of 5 reviews recommend it

See reviews
Best for
Singers, duos and mobile DJs buying used for small rooms and events.
Skip it if
You need deep bass without a subwoofer, or dependable long-range Bluetooth.

The Internet’s Opinion

From 5 professional reviews and 22 owner reviews: a fair amount of evidence.

Reviewers and owners agree it gives clear mids and highs, easy DSP presets and two combo inputs in a light, sturdy cabinet that works as a main or a floor monitor. The reservations are a light low end that calls for a subwoofer, Bluetooth range and drop-outs reported by owners, and a price above budget rivals.

5 recommend0 mixed0 avoid

What people praise

  • Clear mids and highs that suit vocals
  • DSP presets and EQ are easy to set from the LCD
  • Light and easy to carry, with three handles
Show 5 more
  • Bluetooth is handy for backing tracks and background music
  • Sturdy cabinet that holds up over years of gigs
  • Works as a main speaker or a floor monitor
  • Loud for its size, with clean headroom
  • Two combo inputs take a mic and an instrument without a mixer

What to know first

  • Bluetooth range is short and the stream can drop out
  • Costs more than budget rivals; owners suggest waiting for a discount
  • Low end is light; deeper bass needs a subwoofer
See the 5 reviews behind this

5 professional reviews (5 recommend, 0 mixed, 0 avoid); 22 owner reviews read at Guitar Center (Thomann has removed the product and its reviews)Compiled 2026-10-10How this is compiled

Prices

Before you buy

Released
September 2018
Status
Discontinued
Replaced by
Electro-Voice ZLX-12P-G2

Works with

  • Mixer or DJ controllerTwo combo inputs

    Two balanced XLR/¼-inch TRS combo inputs, each with a level control that covers line sources on one side and microphones on the other. Manufacturer spec sheet (Electro-Voice (installation manual)), checked 2026-10-12

  • MicrophonesDynamic, no phantom

    The inputs have a mic pre-amp but no phantom power, so a condenser microphone needs an external phantom power source. Manufacturer spec sheet (Electro-Voice (installation manual)), checked 2026-10-12

  • Phones and tabletsBluetooth or 3.5 mm

    Pairs over Bluetooth as EV ZLX BT, in countries where Bluetooth is offered; a 3.5 mm aux input takes wired players. Manufacturer spec sheet (Electro-Voice (installation manual)), checked 2026-10-12

  • Electro-Voice subwoofersMatched sub presets

    The SUB menu has crossover and delay presets for the ELX200-12SP, ELX200-18SP, EKX-15SP, EKX-18SP and ELX118P, plus 80, 100, 120 and 150 Hz high-passes for other subwoofers. Manufacturer spec sheet (Electro-Voice (installation manual)), checked 2026-10-12

  • A second ZLX-12BTStereo over XLR

    For stereo from one Bluetooth stream, set Mix Out to R on the paired speaker and run its XLR output to the second speaker, which plays the right channel. Manufacturer spec sheet (Electro-Voice (installation manual)), checked 2026-10-12

You’ll also need

  • A subwoofer for deep bass (optional)65 Hz at −3 dB

    Frequency response is 65 Hz to 18 kHz (−3 dB) in the MUSIC preset, and 50 Hz at −10 dB; the speaker's pole cup sits on a pole above a subwoofer. Manufacturer spec sheet (Electro-Voice (ZLX-12BT data sheet)), checked 2026-10-12

  • A tripod standPole cup on base

    The pole cup on the base fits a tripod stand or a pole; check that the stand is rated for the speaker's 15.6 kg. Manufacturer spec sheet (Electro-Voice (installation manual)), checked 2026-10-12

  • Wall bracket or padded cover (optional)Sold separately

    Electro-Voice lists the ZLX-BRKT wall mount bracket and the ZLX-12-CVR padded cover as accessories for the ZLX-12BT. Manufacturer spec sheet (Electro-Voice (ZLX-12BT data sheet)), checked 2026-10-12

Key specs

Configuration
Powered 2-way full-range loudspeaker with Bluetooth
LF driver
EVS-12K, 300 mm (12 in) woofer
Amplifier power
1000 W, Class D
Max SPL
126 dB at 1 m (broadband pink noise, maximum output)
LF extension
50 Hz (−10 dB)
Frequency response
65 Hz – 18 kHz (−3 dB, MUSIC preset)
All 15 specifications
Inputs
2 x XLR/¼ in TRS combo (mic or line), 1 x 3.5 mm aux, Bluetooth
Weight
15.6 kg (34.3 lb)
HF driver
DH-1K compression driver
Coverage
90° x 60° (H x V)
Outputs
1 x XLR link output (mix of all inputs)
DSP
4 modes (Music, Live, Speech, Club), 3 locations (Pole, Monitor, Bracket), subwoofer high-pass and EV sub presets, 2-band EQ, 5 user presets
Dimensions
610 x 356 x 356 mm (H x W x D)
Enclosure
Polypropylene; 18-gauge steel grille, black powder coat
Power
100–240 V, 50–60 Hz, IEC inlet

15 of 15 figures sourced; hover one for its source

Our take

Rory TassellWritten from the sources on this page, not from a loan unit.

All five professional reviews recommend it, and 21 of the 22 Guitar Center owner reviews read give four or five stars: clear mids and highs, easy DSP presets, two combo inputs and a light, sturdy cabinet. Home DJ Studio and two owners find the low end light without a subwoofer, and four owners report short Bluetooth range or drop-outs. It is discontinued: buy one used for small events, or look at the ZLX-12P-G2 that followed it.

What it is

Status, October 2026: discontinued. Electro-Voice no longer lists it: its current catalogue carries only the second-generation ZLX G2 models, and the old ZLX-12BT page now redirects to the ZLX 12 G2. Thomann marks it as no longer available. Its place in the range went to the ZLX-12P-G2, part of the ZLX G2 series that Electro-Voice announced in February 2024, as reported by ProSoundWeb.

What it is

The ZLX-12BT is a powered 12-inch two-way PA speaker from Electro-Voice (data sheet). Electro-Voice announced it in September 2018 with the ZLX-15BT, adding Bluetooth streaming to the standard ZLX models, as reported by ProSoundWeb.

An EVS-12K 12-inch woofer and a DH-1K compression driver sit behind an SST waveguide in a polypropylene cabinet with a steel grille, driven by a 1000 W Class D amplifier. Electro-Voice rates it at 126 dB maximum SPL at 1 m, with a frequency response of 65 Hz to 18 kHz (−3 dB) and a range down to 50 Hz (−10 dB). Coverage is 90 by 60 degrees.

The rear panel has two XLR/¼-inch combo inputs, each with a level control for line or microphone sources, a 3.5 mm aux input, and an XLR output that sends the mix of all inputs to another speaker or subwoofer. There is no phantom power, so condenser microphones need an external supply.

A single knob and an LCD run the DSP menu (installation manual). It sets four modes (Music, Live, Speech and Club), a location setting for pole, floor monitor or wall bracket use, a subwoofer high-pass with presets for Electro-Voice subwoofers, treble and bass controls, and five user presets. Bluetooth pairing, in countries where it is offered, starts from the same menu, and two speakers can play one stream in stereo through an XLR cable between them.

It measures 610 x 356 x 356 mm (H x W x D) and weighs 15.6 kg, with three handles. A wall bracket and a padded cover were sold separately.

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