Thoughts on the Crown XLS402 for HT use?

[jjminch]

There is a decent sale going on for the Crown Amps, mainly the 202 and 402. On AVS they seem to have a decent rep. Anyone use these?
http://www.zzounds.com/item--CWNXLS402

Seems like most pro-amps are put on subwoofer duty only. I realize the watts are cheap, just wasn't sure if they couldn't produce full range good enough for regular speakers.

I originally looked at the Behringer E2000 for this, but this is $170 versus $300 for the EP2000. Plus Crown seems to have a slightly better rep as a company.

This would be combined with an Onkyo 707, and used for the front L and R with these
http://www.clearwaveloudspeaker.com/Dynamic/2T.html

Hopefully just connecting it with cables will work, not sure if I'll need one of those add-in "Cleanboxes" or similiar.

 

[lsiberian]

This amp is normally twice the price, but crown is replacing them so they've cut prices to 50 percent. IOTW this an amp on par with the EP series. If you have the funds I'd suggest you get in on this deal.

 

[tcarcio]

I have the 402 and it is beautifull. Nice punch and plenty of power for my mains. IMHO it is the best bang for your buck. Just remember it has fans so if it is right next to you it might be an issue but if you can have it 10-12 feet away it should be fine. If I didn't already have one I would jump on this deal before they are all gone.

 

[jjminch]

This will be in a media (coat) closet about 8 feet away from the listening position. I imagine that being behind a door would quiet it enough. Don't want to do a fan-mod if I can avoid it, the closet has no dedicated ventilation or cooling at the moment.

I wish the XLS202 was slightly cheaper, right now it's only 30 dollars less. If it was a little lower I'd get one to bi-amp my center.

 

[tcarcio]

I have the same set up with the closet and no ventilation but it works fine as long as you have some space around the amp it just gets warm to the touch not hot.

 

[lsiberian]

This will be in a media (coat) closet about 8 feet away from the listening position. I imagine that being behind a door would quiet it enough. Don't want to do a fan-mod if I can avoid it, the closet has no dedicated ventilation or cooling at the moment.

I wish the XLS202 was slightly cheaper, right now it's only 30 dollars less. If it was a little lower I'd get one to bi-amp my center.

Bi-amping is really only useful if you have an active setup.

 

[KEW]

Bi-amping is really only useful if you have an active setup.

You know, I been reading this for a while and haven't really given it that much thought (I believe it, just didn't analyze it)

If a speaker with a typical passive crossover has terminals for "bi-amping", do both sets of wires got to the exact same terminals on the crossover board? I mean, it is not like you are going to by-pass the crossover.

If so, that almost seems underhanded!

TIA

PS: the big brother Crown XLS 602 is being sold new for $250 (normally $500) by a couple of retailers on ebay.

 

[jjminch]

Purchased the 402. I'll post my thoughts when its all hooked up in a few weeks.