Decision On Crown Amp

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ahoustondj

ahoustondj

Mac Daddy DJ
Aug 13, 2007
20,235
3,465
Texas
I have been using a Peavey PV1500 Amp to drive my Bose 802s for Mids/Highs or Mids & Highs combined, mostly in a two way configuration. I noticed this past Saturday that the amp has been peaking a lot. That is not usually the system I use outdoors (I usually use a three way configuration) where the Bose can sometimes be used for Mids only, never peaks then.
I am looking at these three amps and will buy one to replace the Peavey PV 1500.
For those who use individual amps, what are your thoughts? Any experiences on them/any?

1. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/XLS2500
Crown Specs: http://www.crownaudio.com/usa/xls-drivecore.html

XLS2500-xlarge.jpg

2. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/XTi2002
Crown Specs: http://www.crownaudio.com/usa/xti-2-series.html

XTi2002-xlarge.jpg

3. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/XLI2500
Crown Specs: http://www.crownaudio.com/usa/xli-series.html

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This last one does not have DSP but it does not matter to me because I use an external 2 Way Crossover and 3 Way Crossover. I already own a Crown XTI 4000 which works great on the Bose in Full Range.

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My choice in favorites are :
#3 XLi 2500
#2 Xti 2002
#1 XLS 2500
 
I had an older Crown xti 1000 .. it was ok. If you asked what I would reccomend, it would be a QSC PLX2502, or PLX1804 (if you don't need 2 ohm). I love them. No issues. I sold my 1804, but still have a PLX3602, 3102 and a 2502 (well at least until I sell my Unity system).
 
steve149 said:
I had an older Crown xti 1000 .. it was ok. If you asked what I would reccomend, it would be a QSC PLX2502, or PLX1804 (if you don't need 2 ohm). I love them. No issues. I sold my 1804, but still have a PLX3602, 3102 and a 2502 (well at least until I sell my Unity system).
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I would rather stick with Crown. For a couple of reasons. 1. I am getting 24 months Interest Free from Sweetwater. 2. Sweetwater does not have the PLX2502 and 3. The PLX 1804 is overkill for the Bose plus for its price it should at least have DSP.
 
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I have an xls1000 that I use in the home studio to review tracks, it drives a pair of TX-1152 tops, I have a powered CV 15" to give me the lowes. I found the same issues on it that I found on the IPR amps, if driven hard but not at the limiting thereshold, the amp is not clear on the tops in the mid and high frequencies. That was using the amps with internal and trying them with a high end external processor.

After long discussions with engineers from both companies I was told it was due to the class D topology and the high speed switching. They said there is not near as much money spent in the IPR and XLS amps on the switching circuits as is on the same type amps in twice to three times the price range, thus the performance is what you pay for. I am not against either of the amps, just don't expect your tops to be crystal clear with the cheap class d amps. Of course if you don't run good quality tops then everything written above is just noise anyways :)

From reading your past post Houston, I would think you are a little like I am when it comes to the sound quality, being it is the number one reason I am in this business. You will not find it in the XLS, if you plan to push it to 75% and up of its abilities. Buy the better amp.

I need to move one of my EV-Q1212 amps to my big role in rig as my small 8 RU rack is to heavy with a 40 lb amp (Q1212), I have listened to dozens of light weight class D amps (cheap ones like XLS and IPR), now I am saving my money to buy a EVCP3000 or CP4000, because they are both crystal clear, and less than 19lbs, but they break the bank.

My .02 cents, probably not worth that much!
Ray J.
 
Remember this Amp will be only for the Bose (About 300w) to be used for only Mids/Highs or combo of both, no Bass!​ There is not much strain on Mids and Highs from an amp unless it is under powered.

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rickryan.com said:
That XLs2500 is 11 pounds. The XLi2500 is 33 pounds. 24 pounds on the Xti. Sounds like they're all in the same power category, just depends on how cheap you want to be, and of course we all know you're daddy warbucks. Money is no object.
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Weight is not an issue as it goes into my rolling rack.

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@ Ray,
The XLi is a Class AB amp and is the cheapest LOL Go figure. I think this is because there is no DSP which as I stated earlier is not an issue to me.
 
I can't really tell what Class is the XTi 2002. Part of me wants to get that one as it will be in the same family as the XTi 4000 which I presently own. It has never let me down and i am quite pleased with it's performance. Another thing would be that they both run on the same software. System Architect.
 
If I had to guess, I would call them Class G which use rail-switched power supplies but AB type amplification. The QSC is a Class H, which uses a tracking power supply.
 
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OK I just called Crown. The XTi 2002 is an AB Class amp. The main difference between the XTi 2002 and the XLi 2500 is the fact that the XLi does not have DSP hence the price difference. The last choice I have to make is if I really want to have the new amp in the same family as I already got, to be used with the same software XTi 4000 + XTi 2002. I may have to flip a coin. LOL
 
I know you're all into drinking the Crown kool-aid, but these DCM3800s sure have my attention lately.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/dcmlxseries/

700 watts per channel at 8 ohms, 1150 per channel if I pushed subs (4-ohms or 2300 watts into the pair of 18s), plus processing built-in and all at 15 pounds. The only thing that scares me is the 5000 watts peak power. I'm thinking also the A/B design would sound better than these class D amps I've been using.
 
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drzinc said:
The best of the switching power supply amps are Power Soft and Lab Gruppen both are very pricy though....
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aye-up.

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ahoustondj said:
OK I just called Crown. The XTi 2002 is an AB Class amp. The main difference between the XTi 2002 and the XLi 2500 is the fact that the XLi does not have DSP hence the price difference. The last choice I have to make is if I really want to have the new amp in the same family as I already got, to be used with the same software XTi 4000 + XTi 2002. I may have to flip a coin. LOL
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I would. No sense using multiple apps if 1 will do (though I like to for S&G).
 
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I believe in a rack of the same family of amps. if you already have an XTI, Why not buy a used XTI 1,000 for your mid highs?? A matching rack of amps just looks cooler to me. and it will be CHEAPER to boot... (And we know Mr.Frugal LOVES that idea) lol
 
Precisionpower said:
I believe in a rack of the same family of amps. if you already have an XTI, Why not buy a used XTI 1,000 for your mid highs?? A matching rack of amps just looks cooler to me. and it will be CHEAPER to boot... (And we know Mr.Frugal LOVES that idea) lol
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I have decided to buy two, the XTi 2002 and the XLi 2500 I need to replace one of my Boat Anchors in my other Amp Rack that I use when doing Sound Reinforcement.
 
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rickryan.com said:
I know you're all into drinking the Crown kool-aid, but these DCM3800s sure have my attention lately.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/dcmlxseries/

700 watts per channel at 8 ohms, 1150 per channel if I pushed subs (4-ohms or 2300 watts into the pair of 18s), plus processing built-in and all at 15 pounds. The only thing that scares me is the 5000 watts peak power. I'm thinking also the A/B design would sound better than these class D amps I've been using.
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The
DCM3800LX will hardly wake up my scoops as they are 350w Continuous into 16ohms. That amp will only give it about the same with little to no headroom.​
 
Well I took out the Peavey PV 1500 from the rack and replaced it with the Crown XLi 2500. I did not have the time to install it before yesterday so the first time it will see duty will be this coming Saturday. I changed my mind about buying the two for now because the Crown XTi 2002 may go on sale for July 4th or Labor Day with the 24 Month Interest Free Financing. I got the XLI 2500 for the 24 Months Interest free deal but the XTi 2002 is not on sale at this time.


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I used the XLi 2500 this past weekend and it performed flawlessly. It gave great amplification to the Bose 802s for Mids/Highs. I much prefer it to the Peavey PV 1500.
 
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All DSP circuits create a delay. Using all DSP amps allows you to align everything to the slowest amp. Running one amp with DSP and another without DSP (and no inherent delay) means your signal is mis-aligned unless the delayed speakers are compensating for a driver alignment. Otherwise you are looking at all kinds of weirdness including cancellation at the cross-over range.
 
Scott Harris said:
All DSP circuits create a delay. Using all DSP amps allows you to align everything to the slowest amp. Running one amp with DSP and another without DSP (and no inherent delay) means your signal is mis-aligned unless the delayed speakers are compensating for a driver alignment. Otherwise you are looking at all kinds of weirdness including cancellation at the cross-over range.
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I know all this. I am not running ANY of my amps with DSP. The Crown XTi 4000 DSP is disengaged. The XLi 2500 does not have it. Personally the method i employ is to have an Electronic crossover do the separation of the frequencies for me. This way there is no overlap or missing (Cut off) frequencies. When running 2 Way, my Mids and Highs are dedicated and amplified and so too is my Bass. Same goes for when I am running a true 3 way.
 
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