amp help

[apatel25314]

i am wiring an outdoor speaker setup with around 10(more or less) speakers spread over a large area, what would you reccomend using to power all of these speakers adequately

 

[mazersteven]

What speakers?

I don't know if anything like this would work.

http://www.nilesaudio.com/product.php?prodID=ZR-6&recordID=ZR-6 Multizone System&categoryID=Multizone Products&catcdID=2&prdcdID=FG01433

Built-in 12-channel Digital Amplifier Delivers 50 Watts Per Zone (25 Watts Per Channel) To Each Of The Six Zones

 

[jcPanny]

Outdoor speakers

You should be able to achieve similar results with a powerful stereo amp (200-300 Watts per channel) and an impedance matching speaker selector or impedance matching volume controls. You will get >25 watts per speaker from a Behringer A500 for $180.

 

[budbrande]

I have a few questions. What kind of speakers are you using? How long of a distance from the amplifier location to the speakers? Are you in stereo or mono? Do you have home runs from the speaker location to the amplifier location?

Here are a few options.
1. If you have home runs from the speakers you can use follow JcPanny's advice and get an amplifier and a speaker impedence matching switcher to power the system. Just be sure to get an impedence matcher that can handle the rated output from the amplifier.

2. The second option would be to do a 70 volt system and use transformers on your speakers. I have done some outdoor systems with rock type Jamo speakers and used transformers tapped to 25 watts. Then I used a Crown 70 volt amplifier to power everything. This works good for locations such as gardens and swimming pools where stereo sound is not as important.

 

[apatel25314]

i have no idea how long they are going, but pretty long, a hundred+ feet and they can be in stereo or mono, it does not matter to me

 

[markw]

for that many speakers and that length of wiring, I would be looking at 70 volt PA system technologies like they use in stores and the like if I were you.

i.e http://www.alectrosystems.com/audio/Distribution/70volt.htm

You can buy the transformers separately and mount them on any speaker system you choose.

 

[TLS Guy]

for that many speakers and that length of wiring, I would be looking at 70 volt PA system technologies like they use in stores and the like if I were you.

i.e http://www.alectrosystems.com/audio/Distribution/70volt.htm

You can buy the transformers separately and mount them on any speaker system you choose.

I agree, for that set up you need a mono PA amp. They come 70 and 100 volt now, so make sure you get the right transformers for the PA amp you buy.

Now this system has been made easy, but you need to know the rules.

The transformers have taps that are rated in watts. When you add up all the connected tapping it must add up close to the output of your amp in watts. The watt tapping you select determines the power to that speaker. So for instance a speaker connected to a 6watt tap will get twice the power of one connected to a three watt tap.

The speaker wire can be cheap and thin, even for long runs with this system.