Behringer A500 vs Bash 500

[subharmonic]

I am trying to decide what amp to but for my THT. It is loaded with a 300w @ 4 ohm sub but I may make a bigger 500w THT at some point. I like the versatility of the Behringer as I can use it as a regular mono or stereo amp if needs arrive. However the plate amp has phase adjustments and auto-on/off.

The price ($200) is about the same, the Bash amps are back ordered currently though. Or if there is another amp worth considering in the price range.

I will be processing the LFE signal through a Behringer Ultracurve Pro DSP 8024

[Frederic Gelinas]

A500 for versatility.

[SeisTres]

http://home.comcast.net/~jhidley/
(scroll about third of the way down)

If you buy two, you can bridge them and they'll give you 220watt into 8ohm. After shipping, they're $45-50. Not to mention they have a 24db slope

[subharmonic]

http://home.comcast.net/~jhidley/
(scroll about third of the way down)

If you buy two, you can bridge them and they'll give you 220watt into 8ohm. After shipping, they're $45-50. Not to mention they have a 24db slope

Good idea SeisTres, however in the FAQ page on bridging 2 together says at 4 ohms it went into protect instantly. 6 ohm was untested and since a 4 ohm in a folded horn is ~5 ohms I am not willing to be the canary in this mine.

I guess my question is there anything a digital amp will give me/dedicated sub amp will give that the reference one won't. Also is there any easy way to setup a "trigger" to turn on the amp from my receiver. I have a 12v wet signal I can send or 120v outlet that actions with the receiver but would not want to power the amp through it just a signal for turn on.

[Sydney]

Also is there any easy way to setup a "trigger" to turn on the amp from my receiver. I have a 12v wet signal I can send or 120v outlet that actions with the receiver but would not want to power the amp through it just a signal for turn on.

Sounds like something a power relay can do.

Syd

[subharmonic]

Thanks Syd. Will look into one if I decide to go with the Behringer, I have been interested in playing with one of those. I have seen a lot of bad reviews on them regarding general reliability mostly a channel going out.

There are some Bashes on ebay still up for sale at the regular prices. Although I found a NHT A1 amp that is $200 for 300w@4ohm. Seems pretty decent but still not the versatility of the Behringer, after all I could use that in the future for a stereo amp or distributed audio amp if needed. But the reviews I have seen are scary, even when taken with a grain of salt.

Any Behringer A500 users out there? I know the PA amps have a good record. Any NHT amp users out there? (I think they may be re-badged ATIs, but have not been able to get proof). Or should I just go with a Bash as peeps here seem to have good luck with them?

[gilscales]

here are some pics of the Bash 500w and the Foster Plate amp that NHT used

The Foster is heavy at 9.5 lbs. compared to the O Audio 500 at about 4

If any of the smart guys out there are interested in the parts inside one of these just ask and I will snap a close up of the area you want to see (gotta make it clear though what parts you are talking about?)

[Sydney]

Will look into one if I decide to go with the Behringer, I have been interested in playing with one of those.

Key your eye on the surplus market as there is where you get the great deals.
I got solid state power relays that energize with 3 -24VDC for 240V 40Amp load for $15 from AllElectronics. Older style non-solid state power relays are even cheaper.

P.S. I'm not encouraged by the rapid rolloff of the BASH above 100Hz.

Syd

[BrentEvans]

Any Behringer A500 users out there? I know the PA amps have a good record.

I recently installed an A500 as a mains amp in a 150 seat church with some custom 8" boxes, it had plenty of power. It would be fine as a home amp, particularly with a horn. It runs quiet and cool, so it would be fine in the main rack.

[gilscales]

[quote="Sydney"

P.S. I'm not encouraged by the rapid rolloff of the BASH above 100Hz.

Syd[/quote]

I will most likely be crossing over @ 80hz and limiting the mains to 100hz as this is what Bill does to tame the rising response of the THT or in his case the TT.

Even if I took the sub up to 100hz how would this roll off above 120 hz or so affect the sub?

[Sydney]

Depending on how aggressive the slope rates are of both components of your crossover, it may make integration difficult.
As a common practice: having linear response for a least an octave above and below crossover point, makes integration more predicable.
On p97 of Sound systems: design and optimization By Bob McCarthy is described "Spectral Acoustic Crossover Summation".
Basically non symmetry in the crossover region causes shifts towards the stronger component.
If the BASH started it roll-off above 200Hz the summation would be clear-cut; as is @ 160Hz it is already approx 6db down.

Syd

[gilscales]

Depending on how aggressive the slope rates are of both components of your crossover, it may make integration difficult.
As a common practice: having linear response for a least an octave above and below crossover point, makes integration more predicable.
On p97 of Sound systems: design and optimization By Bob McCarthy is described "Spectral Acoustic Crossover Summation".
Basically non symmetry in the crossover region causes shifts towards the stronger component.
If the BASH started it roll-off above 200Hz the summation would be clear-cut; as is @ 160Hz it is already approx 6db down.

Syd

Went to the Oaudio site and looked at the chart again, noticed that chart is with the 120hz xover in, at this link http://www.oaudio.com/docs/manual_v1_6.pdf. Is the owners manual with 2 charts at the end that shows response with no xover in place as well as 40 and 120

[Sydney]

Ah Ha... Got me on that one.
Common sense should have warned me that graph reflected the action of a 120Hz filter ( approx 24db/octave ). The manual clarified.

Syd

[subharmonic]

Guys thanks for all the replies. I am still so confused about this decision. How about the phase adjustments on the Bash, are they needed for a THT. How much does incremental phase adjusting do for bass?

[subharmonic]

Okay the local pro-shop had a Behringer A600 display I was able to get for $150. Sounds great, just need to rig up a relay of some sorts.