Crown XLS 2500 vs RMX 2450 for 2 T48s

[Bruce Weldy]

A quick test out of the box, the XLS 1000 peaked out at 83.8 Volts using simply the RCA inputs and my laptop with 40 Hz test tone. Seems like it will be plenty for 2 T48s.

They do get pretty high, but with real program material my xls402 can't even keep up with my bp102's, for that, i have to use the xls 802 if I really want to drive them. keep in mind the 802 is a 500watt/8ohm/chanel amp.

Yes I agree. I was thinking that when I measured. 83 Volts is great, but that was with a test, not the actual system hooked up. I don't it's enough headroom I had hoped for. Last night DEFINITELY sounded better than usingh my XLS 602. But like Monomer says, it's all about headroom. Besides, that 83 Volts is with the 1000 running WOT. I don't want to do that with any of my gear.

Looks like I may turn it in for a larger Drivecore model.

83 volts is 38% more voltage than you need to run at 60 volts. In wattage - you have 1100 watts available to run the 900 needed, that's a 22% more than you need. If you limit your subs as you should, the extra power is plenty of headroom.

Did you set it to bridge mode? Not sure what WOT means.....if it means wide open - that's where it should be, let the limiter keep the input in check. With a limiter set at 60 volts and running in bridge mode, you should never see a clip light.

That said, it certainly is your choice if that makes you feel more comfortable. I always thought you had to have double the power needed....until I got involved with BFM cabs and found that it's just not true. My 1600 watt system is louder than the 4000 watt system I run for a Praise band....and it was blowing circuits last summer at a venue where my BFM system was just purring along.

[djengineer]

yes WOT is wide-open throttle, and Yes I was in bridge mono, that's how I got 83V. I wasn't particularly referring to the WOT knob position though. Moreso the % duty cycle of the amp. Yes 83V is 22% more than needed. That was the tested measurement with 40Hz. With the actual music playing it seems it is less power delivery than a constant sine wave. Then again, I don't have the knowledge to back it up.
Perhaps an analogy to a car's peak hp on a dyno vs. actual road performance. I'd even prefer to have 4 cabs or have mine dual loaded, so the drivers aren't running at max either..so both the amp and the cabs aren't being run hard.

[Dave Non-Zero]

If I had built my t48s at 36inch wide I would definately have double loaded them.

[djengineer]

If I did that, I woulda got stoned for not building 4 single cabs

[Dave Non-Zero]

Haha yeah but you would have more output from the two cabs you have.

[djengineer]

I think I read on here somewhere that I would lose some response by adding a second driver to the cab, rather than the single 3015LF in a 36" wide cab. Is this true? I know I would get (6?) dB, but is this at the expense of something?

I am thinking of exchanging the XLS 1000 for a larger model for 1) more headroom for current cabs, and 2) for power if somewhere down the road I make them dual-driver

[Dave Non-Zero]

Ive had Lots more trouble with amps overheating/breaking than with blowing speakers. I would MUCH rather have a bigger amp and not run it bridge. It cost a lot more to replace an amp than a driver.

[Dave Non-Zero]

I think I read on here somewhere that I would lose some response by adding a second driver to the cab, rather than the single 3015LF in a 36" wide cab. Is this true? I know I would get (6?) dB, but is this at the expense of something?

I've not heard of losing anythin, but I do know that if I was lugging a 36inch t48 around I would want every damn db I could get from it!

[djengineer]

I agree! Thank God I leave my cabs at my gig. It was a pain lugging them there in the first place by myself.

I just exchanged the 1000 for the 2500. Yeah it cost twice as much (thankful for payment plan), but I'm sick of worrying about overworking the amp. Plus there will be power available if I ever get money to expand.