The portable column has become the default tool for the mobile operator, the DJ and the host: a speaker that fits in a car boot, stands up in seconds and covers wide without a bulky subwoofer. Electro-Voice did much to establish the format with the EVOLVE series back in 2017. The company now unveils the second generation, EVOLVE G2, with three models launching together: the EVOLVE 30M G2, 50 G2 and 50M G2.
Three sizes, one idea
The concept is unchanged: a powered sub carries the satellite column, the whole rig moves with one person and is show-ready in moments. What changes is the scale and the feature set of each model.
The EVOLVE 30M G2 is the compact option: a 10-inch subwoofer, a built-in mixer and a featherweight 19.4 kg, aimed at smaller rooms, ceremonies and mobile entertainers. The EVOLVE 50 G2 scales up for mid-sized to large spaces with its 12-inch sub. The EVOLVE 50M G2 keeps that 12-inch sub and adds a full mixer at the source, for the solo performer or the operator who needs more inputs without a separate desk.
All three share a controlled 120° horizontal by 40° vertical dispersion for even coverage that doesn’t spray the walls and ceiling. The column lines up six lightweight, efficient neodymium drivers.
| Model | Subwoofer | Max SPL | Built-in mixer | FX banks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EVOLVE 30M G2 | 10-inch | 125 dB | Yes | 2 |
| EVOLVE 50 G2 | 12-inch | 129 dB | No | 1 |
| EVOLVE 50M G2 | 12-inch | 129 dB | Yes | 2 |
More output, the same habits
Electro-Voice clearly listened to its user base: footprint, weight and setup speed don’t change. You get the same floor footprint and the same ritual. The headline answer to the community’s most consistent request is clear, though: maximum SPL rises to 125 dB on the 30M G2 and 129 dB on the 50 and 50M G2. That’s enough headroom for a bigger room or a busier dance floor without pushing the system to its limits.
The subwoofer also gains handles on top that make the end-of-night load-out far easier, and a large full-colour LCD shows system status at a glance, even under show pressure.
Switchable 48 V, at last
Here is the change condenser-mic users were asking for: phantom power is now switchable 48 V, where the first generation only offered an always-on 15 V. In practice you plug a condenser mic straight into the input, with no external preamp or power box. If phantom power is still fuzzy to you, we’ve covered it in a full guide.
Another handy addition, QuickSmart Link connects two EVOLVE speakers with a single Ethernet cable: simpler cabling and fewer potential points of failure. And the extended Bluetooth range lets you tune the system from the mix position or anywhere in the room.
The mixer and onboard processing
On the M models, the built-in mixer saves you the separate desk: arrive, plug in, play. But the real value is in the processing. Advanced Feedback Suppression (AFS) catches feedback before the audience notices, a safety net that pays off during speeches and ceremonies. To understand where feedback comes from and how to win clean level, see our piece on gain before feedback.
A ducking function automatically lowers background music when someone speaks into the mic. On the creative side, the FX bank grows: one bank on the 50 G2, two on the 30M and 50M G2 with more options.
QuickSmart App 3.0, the real leap
The whole ecosystem now rests on a redesigned app. QuickSmart 3.0, free for iOS and Android, brings multi-speaker management, True Wireless Stereo (TWS) setup and speaker grouping in an interface built for fast decisions on the job. A mobile DJ runs the entire PA from a tablet between tracks; a host configures ceremony and reception systems without a dedicated engineer. Firmware updates happen over the air, no computer required.
Where it sits
The powered column with a built-in mixer is now a crowded segment. The RCF EVOX JMIX9 also plays the real-console card, while the HK Audio ELEMENTS MK2 leans on modular line-source design. The EVOLVE G2 answers with range consistency and a matured software ecosystem. Hotel ballroom, modern worship auditorium, corporate keynote or rooftop event: the format covers a lot of ground. The range has been available in Europe since October 2026, in black and white finishes.
My take
The move to switchable 48 V is the small detail that changes everything: on the first EVOLVE, the permanent 15 V effectively ruled out a proper condenser, so you improvised. Now you plug in and it works. The rest is a well-executed update rather than a revolution — more SPL, better-placed handles, an app that finally delivers — but that is exactly what you want from a workhorse column. For the operator running back-to-back gigs, fewer small frustrations often beat a spectacular spec sheet.
