Power amps for monitors - recommendations please

Is this amp OK?
Message
Author
User avatar
DJPhatman
Posts: 5411
Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:08 am
Location: Warren, MI
Contact:

Re: Power amps for monitors - recommendations please

#16 Post by DJPhatman »

AntonZ wrote:No idea how it performs, and how it would sound on piezo tweeters. It seems not all class D amps work nicely with piezo's.
With the protection resister in series, it doesn't matter.
I know money often seals the deal, but seriously, quality is an investment, not an expense... Grant Bunter
Accept the fact that airtight and well-braced are more important than pretty on the inside. Bill Fitzmaurice

User avatar
AntonZ
Posts: 2687
Joined: Sun May 14, 2006 6:00 am
Location: NL

Re: Power amps for monitors - recommendations please

#17 Post by AntonZ »

That would indeed prevent hf oscillation due to low impedance above audible freqs. But there may be more causes for issues. I remember to have read that piezo's sound harsh on low quality class D amps. This might be caused by insufficient filtering of the very high frequency switching that goes on inside these amps. Not sure though, I cannot speak from personal experience here. My piezo loaded cabs seem to work fine on the two class D amps that I have used so far.

User avatar
BrentEvans
Posts: 3041
Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2008 10:38 am
Location: Salisbury, NC

Re: Power amps for monitors - recommendations please

#18 Post by BrentEvans »

AntonZ wrote: But there may be more causes for issues. I remember to have read that piezo's sound harsh on low quality class D amps.
Piezos have a reputation for sounding harsh anyway. It's the melded array that improves response from an otherwise inferior product, so unless you read that review on this forum, I wouldn't give it too much mind. :)
99% of the time, things that aren't already being done aren't being done because they don't work. The other 1% is split evenly between fools and geniuses.

User avatar
AntonZ
Posts: 2687
Joined: Sun May 14, 2006 6:00 am
Location: NL

Re: Power amps for monitors - recommendations please

#19 Post by AntonZ »

It was on the BFM forum, may have been the old one as it's quite some time ago. Before the melded arrays most probably, but crossfiring arrays of piezo's were done already by Bill at the time.

User avatar
Rune Bivrin
Posts: 521
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 5:42 pm
Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Re: Power amps for monitors - recommendations please

#20 Post by Rune Bivrin »

AntonZ wrote:Yep, nice stuff over at Thomann. But they're in Germany, Harvey is in New Zealand. Shipping would kill any great deal, I'm afraid. I've been looking at the exact same amp though, 4x500W in 1u under 5kg, at that price is amazing. No idea how it performs, and how it would sound on piezo tweeters. It seems not all class D amps work nicely with piezo's.
Define "Great deal". I couldn't help myself, so I took a look at Thomann's Worldwide shipping to New Zeeland. 36.85 EUR for 5kg doesn't seem that steep to me.

The reduced weigth makes class D amps a much better deal for shipping.
In build order:
O12 with no tweeter.
3 x WedgeHorns.
2 x Jack 10 without tweeters.
2 x DR250.
2 x 16" T39
1 x Tuba 24
2 x SLA Pro (sort of...)

User avatar
AntonZ
Posts: 2687
Joined: Sun May 14, 2006 6:00 am
Location: NL

Re: Power amps for monitors - recommendations please

#21 Post by AntonZ »

And Harley might get it with no VAT, too: http://www.thomann.de/gb/faq_2_195.html

That would cover the shipping costs and then some. Still, if it does not perform to his liking, it's still a lot of money down the drain.

gdougherty
Posts: 2623
Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2007 11:13 am
Location: Denver, CO
Contact:

Re: Power amps for monitors - recommendations please

#22 Post by gdougherty »

+1 to RonK's comment on not underpowering monitors. My PLX1804 does much better for clean monitors than my older PLX1202. When I turn up the monitors I'll start to get clipping on the PLX1202. Granted, thats for crazy loud outdoor bands with no volume control.

Gregory East
Posts: 3495
Joined: Sat May 13, 2006 9:56 pm

Re: Power amps for monitors - recommendations please

#23 Post by Gregory East »

AntonZ wrote:And Harley might get it with no VAT, too: http://www.thomann.de/gb/faq_2_195.html

That would cover the shipping costs and then some. Still, if it does not perform to his liking, it's still a lot of money down the drain.
Harley would get it without VAT but then he'll get stung GST, currently 12.5%. I haven't looked into the business side of the band business but I'll probably have to soon enough. Methinks the GST is recoverable if the band is working and registered as a business.

As far as selling it off if he didn't like it goes, what with the heavy markup on imported hardware that distubutors whack on, he wouldn't have a problem getting back what he paid for it. EG Crown XTI2000 goes for 2000 bucks NZ which is roughly 1400 US. The Markbass distr has the cheek to tell us he's giving us a "bargain no middleman" 30% discount price on a LMK 500W 2ch bass amp $NZ1790 ~ 1250 US.

mattaudio
Posts: 316
Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2008 1:35 pm
Location: Minnesota

Re: Power amps for monitors - recommendations please

#24 Post by mattaudio »

Would a Behringer EPQ304 work for 4 WH8's?

User avatar
Harley
Posts: 5758
Joined: Mon May 08, 2006 2:45 pm
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand - Authorised BFM Cab Builder

Re: Power amps for monitors - recommendations please

#25 Post by Harley »

Gregory East wrote:Harley would get it without VAT but then he'll get stung GST, currently 12.5%.
Now 15% actually
Gregory East wrote: I haven't looked into the business side of the band business but I'll probably have to soon enough. Methinks the GST is recoverable if the band is working and registered as a business.
You get the GST back if you're a Ltd company, partnership for sole trader so long as you're GST registered. Bands can be GST registered. It's a double edged sword though, you claim the GST on your expenses BUT you must charge ( and collect for the IRD ) GST on your sales.
Gregory East wrote:The Markbass distr has the cheek to tell us he's giving us a "bargain no middleman" 30% discount price on a LMK 500W 2ch bass amp $NZ1790 ~ 1250 US.
What about 'Live-Sound' and their Eminence dealership :wall:
ImageSemi-retired: Former Australia and New Zealand Authorised BFM cab builder.

el_ingeniero
Posts: 931
Joined: Sun Jul 18, 2010 11:46 pm
Location: Minneapolis, MN

Re: Power amps for monitors - recommendations please

#26 Post by el_ingeniero »

Harley wrote:What about 'Live-Sound' and their Eminence dealership :wall:
Did you mean to write "stealership"?

RichardH
Posts: 62
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:54 am
Location: East Herts, UK
Contact:

Re: Power amps for monitors - recommendations please

#27 Post by RichardH »

AntonZ wrote:That would indeed prevent hf oscillation due to low impedance above audible freqs. But there may be more causes for issues. I remember to have read that piezo's sound harsh on low quality class D amps. This might be caused by insufficient filtering of the very high frequency switching that goes on inside these amps. Not sure though, I cannot speak from personal experience here. My piezo loaded cabs seem to work fine on the two class D amps that I have used so far.
I had a problem with testing my OT12s with a Crate Powerblock - that REALLY didn't like the piezos. Wierd, cos it was fine on the WH8s. So that be where you got that thought from.

DrDantastic
Posts: 21
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 7:39 pm
Location: Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK

Re: Power amps for monitors - recommendations please

#28 Post by DrDantastic »

I don't know if you're still hunting for an amp and I'm afraid I can't say how much it would cost you in NZ but I've had some great results with the Void QX4. It's just another option!

User avatar
Harley
Posts: 5758
Joined: Mon May 08, 2006 2:45 pm
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand - Authorised BFM Cab Builder

Re: Power amps for monitors - recommendations please

#29 Post by Harley »

DrDantastic wrote:I don't know if you're still hunting for an amp and I'm afraid I can't say how much it would cost you in NZ but I've had some great results with the Void QX4. It's just another option!
I've scored a stereo Peavey 135 W per channel, but I can return it if I don't like it. Thanks for your recommendation.
ImageSemi-retired: Former Australia and New Zealand Authorised BFM cab builder.

Post Reply