Matrix amps - How good/bad?

[MadGutts 0]

Hiya people... Hope you all had a good weekend...

 

Just back from another regular disco with a small amp question...

 

I need a new amp, and looking at various reviews, and comments, am once again stressing my brain cells! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/wallbash.gif

 

I need an amp or a pair of amps bridged, capable of running 800w RMS at 4 Ohms.

I have some new bass bins which are very nice, but too heavy (but they were cheap - cos i need a couple of new drivers) but when they are 100% working they are 800W RMS... They are loaded with Eminance Delta Pro subs...

 

Any comments on the Matrix amps? reliability? Heat? etc...

 

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/thanks.gif

[transeurope 0]

I have mixed opinions on Matrix that I find difficult to describe.

 

They design amps the way they SHOULD be made in an ideal world, or at least better than many other amp manufacturers.

 

If you get a sweet Matrix amp, it is very sweet.

 

QC in the disco industry in general leaves a lot to be desired to start with. In the case of Matrix however, I personally have had such bad experiences that I do not think I would buy one again.

 

I could recount stories here, except that some of them are so incredible that I would be worried that CP would get into a mess if I had to back them up in a legal situation.

 

Matrix need to do a lot of work in QC.

 

 

[MadGutts 0]

Other recomendations then?

 

as i say i need 1600w RMS into a 4Ohm load... (800 per side)

 

I would ideally like 1 amp, but i could cope with 2x 800w RMS in 4ohm amps bridged.

 

I am passed building my own now - they end up heavier, bigger than 2U and i don't get a warrenty ! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

 

ideas? makes?

 

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[NiM 0]

I've used a matrix amp in the past, was great for about 30 mins then channel 1 would drop then come back, then drop then come back but quiet etc..

 

Sent the amp back, got a replacement.. Same problem (probably the same amp)..

 

Steered clear of them since..

[ChrisPointon 0]

QUOTE

I would ideally like 1 amp, but i could cope with 2x 800w RMS in 4ohm amps bridged.

 

So two amps then? - as you know when you bridge an Amp you turn it from 2 seperate channels, to one big mono one, and I wouldn't recommend running just 1 amp in Mono, since bits of tracks go missing http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif .

 

Recommendations, depend on your budget however expensive ones which spring to mind are:- QSC, Crown, Chevin

 

More budget ones are:- Dare, C-Mark, Behringer and Audiohead

 

I can personally and commerically recommend QSC, Crown, Chevin & C-Mark since I used them all at some point, and from a retail point of view I can't remember when I had a warranty return from any of them. I've also used McGregor Amp for 9 years with no problems (Mine is an RM series now called the 'RS' Range), but they lack features like Bridge Mode and are quite expensive.

 

I have never used Audiohead or Matrix so am unable to comment.

 

I reviewed the Dare Series a while back and didn't like the heat build up and ventilation restrictions - made worse when they were rack mounted. Read the Dare Amplifier Review here

 

Behringer is another option, like most reviews, people either like them with a passion, or hate them with venom, although there are far more good reviews than bad reviews. Just Like QSC, look at the 4 Ohm ratings since both QSC and Behringer tend to advertise them on the 2 ohm figures. I've never used one, but a lot of people seem happy with them.

 

One to Avoid:- Prosound

 

Incidentally I would like a local-ish volunteer to take out one of the C-Mark amps for me when they arrive and review it for me. I believe them to be extremely good reliable amps at a bargain price, but can't write a review myself without appearing biased. So I need somebody to run it for a few weeks and then willing to write an honest review on this forum. Any takers?.

[Paul Smith 0]

I have a 1Kw Matrix amp, the advantages are that it's small (2U) and quite light but I have found that it gets hotter than my other amps although I haven't had any problems with it.

 

PaulS

[MadGutts 0]

The amp (or amps) needs to be run as bass only, like a say its for a pair of 800wRms bins...

 

QSC are very good... But an 800wRms stereo amp is in the region of £800 ! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/fear.gif which is too much for the moment (what with xmas so close!)

 

so just to clarify my needs, i need either:

 

1x amp capable of 800wRms per channel @ 4 Ohms

 

or

 

2x amps capable of 800Wrms Bridged into 4 Ohms each.

 

Any ideas?? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/wallbash.gif

[DJ Marky Marc 0]

Ecler or Crown,

 

APA 2000 is rated at 920Watts into 4ohms Stereo

 

and the Crown Macro-Tech range i cant fault them, and will not be parted from mine.

[transeurope 0]

I think you will be hard-pressed to find an amp in that price category that will exactly match your needs.

 

As we know that you are (as am I), a Behringer fan, why not workaround with either 2xep1500 or accept a slight degradation in your specifications and go for an EP2500?

 

It is hard to get exactly what you want in this business. At that price range I think you will have to compromise and in that price bracket, I think it has to be Behringer.

 

 

[scotty 0]

Ive gotta 1200w Matrix Amp and its been going strong for over 5 years its a great little amp and touch wood ive never had a prob with it. I think i'll go for QSC next though as they have been highly recommended by fellow DJ's.

[Mo The Motown Man 0]

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/042.gif I have two 2k Matrix amps as well as 1200watt never had any trouble with any of them in over 4 years now (touch wood) a good mid range amp at a good mid range price .I sometime run my Omh RW6 bass bins straight from one of the 2k amps at about 3/4 output never had any trouble yet.

[leonfoxyy 0]

Ive been running a DAP AUDIO MISSION 1500 for about 2 years and its never let me down, it runs at 750 watt rms x2 and sounds ace.

 

IM running 2x Celestion Sub-Station 18's which are 500 watts rms each and have built in cross overs which feed 2x Jamo Pro400ex full range 400 watts rms cabs.

 

And thats all off one amp which cost me about £450