Amp Suggestions- OT12 + T48

[elguapo2k]

Hi there, I've been reading these forums for about a month now, and this is my first post

I was thinking of making 2 OT12's, and 2 T48's (w/ recommended drivers), but am unsure about my amp choices for running everything off one amp. I am trying to do this as economically as possible w/o sacrificing sound quality (ie, clipping). My goal is to spend $400-$500 max. Just for additional info, I'd be playing for crowds of 200 maximum, mostly electro/ DnB/ dubstep, and do LONG sets, from 6-8 hours usually. Headroom is a must.

I was looking amps within this price range with built in limiters, namely: Behringer EP 2000, 4000, Crown XLS (Drivecore) 1000, 1500, 2000, and Crown XTI 1000, 2000.

Beringer EP's seem to have a lot of juice for the price, but I would require an external crossover (such as a CX2310) correct? If I'm not mistaken the EP's only run high pass filters, and I'd like to make use of both a high pass and a low pass. Also, I associate Behringer with poor build quality... would it be worth it for me to get these cheap units?

The more reliable crown options both include HP and LP filters, and the XTI comes with an impressive list of toys (4band eq and subharmonic synth), but don't quite pack quite as much wattage as the EP's for the respective price brackets.

Now, since I am a poor student at the moment, I figured I could just use the basics (ie, an EP 2000 or 4000 and a crossover) and spend more money on eq's, subharmonic synths, and whatnot in the future (so that I maximize my headroom with wattage, which is really my priority... I think? haha)

Which of these amps would give me sufficient headroom without being overkill/ is the best bang for my buck after assessing my needs?

Thanks!
Joe

PS. In the plans for the OT12 there is a design for an onboard HP and LP crossover... if I make those and install them, will a rack mounted crossover be redundant? or is the external crossover for routing a HP/ LP between the OT12 and the T48 as opposed to the individual drivers? Sorry, I'm a noob!

[LelandCrooks]

Xti. The 2000 preferably. All the dsp you need. Yes, the 2000 is the priciest of the bunch, but is the best answer for your application. I don't suggest the XLS for Bill's subs, unless you're willing to be very careful. They don't have a lowpass filter. The best option is an XLS for the tops and an Xti for the subs.

S. In the plans for the OT12 there is a design for an onboard HP and LP crossover... if I make those and install them, will a rack mounted crossover be redundant? or is the external crossover for routing a HP/ LP between the OT12 and the T48 as opposed to the individual drivers?

You still need the external crossover.

[elguapo2k]

Thanks for the prompt response Leland!

Xti. The 2000 preferably. All the dsp you need.

Now, I understand the XTI 2000 in the long run is the best bang for my buck, but I really shouldn't have listed it, since it is $200 out of my price range, my bad. Would the XTI 1000 lack the wattage I require?

I don't suggest the XLS for Bill's subs, unless you're willing to be very careful. They don't have a lowpass filter.

I was referring to the new XLS Drivecore Series, which (according to their website) can run either channel with a HP or LP, but not both at the same time on the same channel. Is that not adequate? Also, is this not an issue an external crossover can solve?

I noticed you didn't make any mention of the Behringer EP's; is it simply because they aren't worth my time to check out? The wattage per $ ratio is fantastic, and I'd be able to afford an external crossover within my $500 budget... but I'd take your word for it if you suggested against going that route!

Thanks again!
Joe

[BrentEvans]

I noticed you didn't make any mention of the Behringer EP's; is it simply because they aren't worth my time to check out? The wattage per $ ratio is fantastic, and I'd be able to afford an external crossover within my $500 budget... but I'd take your word for it if you suggested against going that route!

The EPs work well. Once you get past the B-word, they're one of Behringer's (relatively few, but slowly increasing in number) gems.

I'm very interested to see the new EPQ series amps... they look super neat.

[LelandCrooks]

Drivecores are not optimal for Bill's subs. They can't run a low pass and high pass at the same time. An outboard crossover will cure that. It doesn't mean they wont' work, you just will have to pay attention for sub 40 stuff.

I don't really have an opinion on the behringer. Never used them. They get pretty good reviews all around.

The xti1000 will be a little shy for the subs, fine for the tops. Having said that, most of the bang is made in the first 100watts, so we're only talking 3-5 db difference.

[bzb]

If you're anything like me, you'll be clipping your sub channel at damn near every gig. I'm waiting for a deal on an XTi 4000... as patiently as I can.

If you go with the Bringer, you'll need an external speaker management system (not to mention a stronger back) like the Driverack PA, Behringer 2496, or BBE DS24.

That's the beauty of to XTi - integrated DSP and light weight.

[Doug Hart]

I recently bought one the the EPQ's to run my demo rig.
I liked it so much that I ordered two more for my parent's gospel group.
Coupled with the DCX2496, it makes a very nice li'l rig.

Have a couple of the EP's from quite a few years ago, very used and abused.
Still going strong.

[elguapo2k]

Thanks for the replies guys, this has really helped me out!

Joe

[mems]

I'm pretty much in the same boat except, J12's and tuba 30's are in my future. For the price, weight, features and name, i cant see how anything is better than an XTI. Simple, all in one design that'll rock it out from what i can see. I'll be getting the XTI 2000 as soon as I see a decent deal. Thats what i suggest.

[AntonZ]

I recently bought one the the EPQ's to run my demo rig.
I liked it so much that I ordered two more for my parent's gospel group.
Coupled with the DCX2496, it makes a very nice li'l rig.

Have you used the EPQ's on tops with piezo arrays yet? And on subs? Waiting till the EPQ1000/EPQ900 becomes available. That would be a nice lightweight, compact and affordable amp for me, so I'm curious to learn how the EPQ's perform.

[Doug Hart]

Have you used the EPQ's on tops with piezo arrays yet?

Yes, Jack 12's, melded/crossfired array. Sounds great, and loud.

And on subs?

yup, T39

Waiting till the EPQ1000/EPQ900 becomes available.

I was very interested in those too because of the single rack space.
But I couldn't wait for them to come out.
I haven't even seen a projected date on them

so I'm curious to learn how the EPQ's perform

So far, so good. No complaints.

[AntonZ]

Thanks Doug, much appreciated.

Waiting till the EPQ1000/EPQ900 becomes available.

I was very interested in those too because of the single rack space.
But I couldn't wait for them to come out.
I haven't even seen a projected date on them

Yep, I like the single rackspace as well in the 900 and 450.

The EPQ1000 was originally expected just about now in local webshops. But some 1 or 2 months ago it suddenly disappeared from the websites, and was replaced by EPQ900. Perhaps "1000" was a bit over abmitious for the design. No expected delivery date is listed anymore. EPQ304 is expected to arrive here in 2 months, EPQ450 in 4 months. EPQ1200 and EPQ2000 are listed in stock, those are both 2u.

(with apologies to the OP for slightly derailing his topic)

[Tom Smit]

In the plans for the OT12 there is a design for an onboard HP and LP crossover... if I make those and install them, will a rack mounted crossover be redundant? or is the external crossover for routing a HP/ LP between the OT12 and the T48 as opposed to the individual drivers? Sorry, I'm a noob!

elguapo2k, welcome to the forum!

The onboard HP and LP crossover parts(passive) are strictly for the components inside the cab (woofer and tweeters). This is the typical way of doing it. An external cross-over (active) is for sending the right freqs to the right cabs, ie, OT12 and T48.

An option for some other people is to send two separate signals to the individual cab, ie, one signal sent to the tweets and one signal sent to the woofer. This is a more involved procedure.

[gilscales]

XTI 2000 B stock with full 3 year warranty at $495 delivered to your door

http://cgi.ebay.com/Crown-XTi-2000-ampl ... 5637a9174a

It also looks like you can get a factory new one from here for $549 delivered (I think it is new as there is no "B stock" in the ad)

http://www.abesofmaine.com/itemB.do?ite ... GRABB#tabs

Also found this site for $479 delivered and it does not state "B stock" either

http://www.djdeals.com/crownXTI2000.htm

If you are on a tighter budget look for a used one on http://www.allofcraigs.com/ like this one and lowball them

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/msg/1911035032.html

[elguapo2k]

Just to update the situation:

I found an EP 2500 (the older version of the EP 4000) on craigslist for $200 brand new, in the box!! I couldn't pass it up . I also bought a brand new Behringer CX2310 for $125 to act as my outboard crossover. For my financial situation (in school) I feel I got the best equipment while staying under my budget.

I also successfully built my first OT 12 and am working on my T48

Thanks for the help guys,
Joe