Which Amp To Buy

[wizard 0]

My amps are now 2 years old and are going to be replaced after xmas.

 

However I cannot make my mind up which to buy... I am currently using Carlsbro and to be honest they have been rock solid, but they are the old type ... I have heard the new powerline series are not as reliable, however that could be duff info.

 

So what do I buy. I would love to be able to afford crown or Qsc.... but unlikely.

 

needs to be around 2kw ( 1k per channel) at 4 Ohms.

 

Before anyone asks, I am replacing them before they pack up and can get some money back on them second hand..... I just like my kit to be under 2 years old ....daft I know.

 

 

 

 

[shakermaker 0]

I just got myself a Crown XLS602 and it's great. Absolutely love it.

[Bolan-Boogie 0]

Behringer ep 2500

[DJ Marky Marc 0]

shaker is almost right, what you realy want is some of the new crown XTi range....

 

more power, less weight

[wizard 0]

The Crown XTI 2000 is very tempting....... I might just opt for one of those and keep one of the carlsbro's as backup.

[YourBigEvent 0]

What about a HZ DPX1500 ?

[shakermaker 0]

Ha Ha "Almost right" - I like that (kind of).

[Bolan-Boogie 0]

Have to be honest the Behringer ep2500's are excellent value for money & virtually bomb proof, based on the crown series and will operate down at 2ohms per channel !

[Andy Westcott 0]

Which is good if you are going to load them at 4 ohms - that way the amp isn't working into it's minimum recommended load, and will run cooler and be more reliable.

[Bolan-Boogie 0]

Good Point Andy, even though some of the manufacturers give their amps power ratings down to 2ohms, i never really fancied it. I always run at a minimum 4 ohms !

[McCardle 1]

and will operate down at 2ohms per channel

 

what is the point of 2ohms for mobiles, can never figure that one out as it is 4x 8 ohm speakers per side so 8 speakers per stereo amplifier

[Bolan-Boogie 0]

I Agree, although some cabs out there are 4ohm

so 2x4ohm =2ohm

 

But wouldnt really be happy to run at 2 ohms for long periods...if at all !

[McCardle 1]

and if you are gettin the sort of work that needs 2 ohm loads then you would be running a tri or bi amped system anyway

[Bolan-Boogie 0]

Agree !... Its just a marketing ploy to advertise amps at a higher power rating really !

[Andy Westcott 0]

Yes, it could be a numbers trick, like PMPO, but I would expect a professional bit of kit to be able to tolerate a 2 ohm load if it states it could.

 

"what is the point of 2ohms for mobiles"

 

Remember that if you bridge a 2 channel amp into a 4 ohm cabinet, the amp will 'see' the equivalent to a 2 ohm load. Bridging is a good way to get some reasonable wattage outputs without using gigantic amplifiers.

 

I'm thinking of doing this myself - a couple of QSCs, each bridged into one of my bass bins. I've long fancied a bit more power on tap, it's just a bit difficult finding financial justification for it.

[Bolan-Boogie 0]

Makes sense really, just when you get used to the old golden rule of not running below 4ohms... i suppose it just takes a bit of getting used to !

[Clockwork_Orange 0]

4x 8 ohm speakers per side so 8 speakers per stereo amplifier

 

:otop:

This may be a ridiculous question, but I will ask anyway :ouch:

If 4 x 8 ohm speakers make 2 ohms, and 2 x 8 ohm speakers make 4 ohms, what do 3 x 8 ohm speakers make?

[Robster 0]

and will operate down at 2ohms per channel

 

what is the point of 2ohms for mobiles, can never figure that one out as it is 4x 8 ohm speakers per side so 8 speakers per stereo amplifier

 

A speaker presents a varying impedance load to the amp.The figures quoted by manufactureres are normally a "Nominal" Impedance. The big problem with this spec is that the impedance of the speaker changes with frequency. It might well be 8 ohms at 1 kHz, but the impedance might drop to 3 ohms at 100 Hz — low enough to blow many amplifiers' fuses (or worse) when the speaker has to reproduce bass at high volumes. The rating that most manufacturers give is a nominal rating, a ballpark figure that may or may not give you a good idea of whether or not your amplifier or receiver will be able to drive the speaker. this is why having an amp that can drive 2 ohms is a good idea

[Robster 0]

4x 8 ohm speakers per side so 8 speakers per stereo amplifier

 

:otop:

This may be a ridiculous question, but I will ask anyway :ouch:

If 4 x 8 ohm speakers make 2 ohms, and 2 x 8 ohm speakers make 4 ohms, what do 3 x 8 ohm speakers make?

 

 

2.667 Ohms

 

Handy calc can be found here;

http://www.bcae1.com/spkrmlti.htm

[Bolan-Boogie 0]

Shouldnt run the 3 speakers on one amp in stereo as this provides an unbalanced load. you would be better running (if your going to at all) two 8 ohm tops on one channel & a 8 ohm sub on the other, but dont like that kind of configuration..... But im sure i will be corrected here ! :dan+ju: :bouncy:

Edited December 4, 2006 by Bolan-Boogie

[TonyB 0]

3 8ohm speaker would be 2.67ohm in total

[Bolan-Boogie 0]

Very unbalanced load.

[alicat 0]

2 years old, you are happy with them and now want to change just in case?????????

 

 

NEW CAR, NEW CAMBELT ??????? HELLO

[spirito 0]

I'd recomend the QSC amps. I have 3 and wouldnt change them for anything else

[Kingy 0]

I don't like 2 ohms. Far to close to short circuit at full extrusion.

 

Not recommended by many!!.