Amplifier type "H" or AB or class "D"

[kgveteran]

I'm sure in every class I could find a gem but is there a favorite out of these for a subwoofer amp.The QSC models go from "ab" to "H". How about the Samson swithing amps.The cost is low and the power is unreal.

I'm stressing over this because I will be purchasing four mono's (bridged) for my subwoofer system.The drivers are Adire Tumults and are approx. 3.6 ohms each.(one amp per driver) Thanx.

Right now the QSC 1450 is the top runner for 399.00 shipped.

[thylantyr]

The favorite for subwoofer amps is usually a class D or variant because
subwoofers like to push amplifiers to their limits and it's nice to have a more
power efficient amplifier.

One example of a class D amp;
http://www.adireaudio.com/Home/ADASubAmps.htm

Of those three listed, I'd run one AD1200 per Tumult. Price on those amps
are high but you get variable phase control, built in crossover and EQ
to fine tune the system. In the DIY world, a common approach is to place
the plate amp inside the sub box.

Class H is the same as AB except the power supply is multi-tier, this really means
nothing to the user, it's a design methodology to keep heat down under
certain conditions of operation.

Which brands? Crown, QSC, Samson, Behringer, Carvin, Crest? etc.

Amplifiers whether pro or consumer are either underrated or overrated in specs.
ie, the Behringer EP2500 is a QSC 2450 clone for 1/2 the cost but the power
supply is much smaller so it has to be underrated in power vs. QSC. How do you
now this? You have to test it or look at the guts. The question is, which brands
do you think meet their specs? Or, if they don't meet spec, is less power ok?
Maybe it's ok if the price is much cheaper.

Which models ? For subwoofer duty driving a Tumult class woofer you should
use a more rubust design and avoid entry level models, but they can be made
to work it depends on your expectations. ie, I would not use Crown XLS to drive
a Tumult class woofer. I might consider it with QSC RMX but I would buy only
one amplifier and do some tests to make sure it does what I expect. If not,
I'd sell the amp and try another.

A Crown K1 or K2, QSC Powerlight would be sweet per Tumult. The old PL's are
intense, I believe H-bridge output stage - great for sub duty. /expensive
I don't know what the new PL's are in design.

For sub duty, I probably would not use any Behringer, not XLS, maybe RMX,
unsure about Samson or Carvin, and if it's a beefy Crest, I'd try it out. I'd also
try a beefy Yorkville.

You are using a Tumult because you want to kick butt so don't skimp on the
source of amplification otherwise you may not get the best results out of those
woofers.

If I were in your shoes and can't afford the bigger amps, then just buy one
RMX and do the test and/or buy one class D plate amp to compare it with. Pick
the winner, sell the loser and order more winners later when you scrape money
together.

If you want better feedback on subwoofer pro amps, this is the place to ask
or search the archives.

http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/f/2/0

[Privateer]

kgveteran, I would advise against using a class D amp for a full range signal. You will have to demo some different amps to see what sounds good to you.

[kgveteran]

This is strickly a subwoofer application.The amp of choice is the 1850HD since the price is right.If the guy on ebay bites at the offer I'm in for the first of four!

[hdkhang]

The adire amps would be wasted on kgveteran, he already uses a marchand bassis IIRC and probably still has a BFD lying around somewhere as well.

He just needs power, and lots of it.

You could try building your own... out of say bridged Hypex units :)

Cheers...
Duy-Khang Hoang

[Yves Smolders]

kgveteran, I would advise against using a class D amp for a full range signal

This would be correct a few years ago - right now, full range class D is a fully grown alternative for other classes!

Happily running N804 speakers on class-D power here, on the same stuff Adire puts out (Hypex UcD)

[kgveteran]

hdkhang,
I've backed the marchand off these days due to the Adcoms inability to drive at 4ohms.It is a great unit.It is so cool to run TrueRta and see the effects of each variable.

I've set my sights on the 1850HD.It looks like it will offer the headroom I need. As far as building, I smoked a hafler DH500 in my youth and never went back to learn about proper amp building.

When I run the subs without the marchand they hit pretty hard at 25hz, but there is so much info below that.

Thanx guys!