Amp for DIY sub

[Sylar]

I am looking for an external amp for this DIY sub. Its a Sealed box, 19x19x19. It will have 2 infinity 1260W drivers in one sub. The drivers are connected in parallel. The sub will be a passive sub. Looking for an amp that can drive 2 such subs. I would prefer to have one amp driving both subs rather than 2 separate amps.

Would be great if it has EQ and DSP built in. Nice to have some headroom for future, In case I decide to upgrade (I know you guys will advice on this ).

I also intend to create another pair of subs for HT down the line. The current ones will be musical subs. Would be great if there is some feature where I can have all the 4 subs connected, rather than manually switch from musical sub to HT subs... back and forth.

Please suggest multiple options, since I am looking for one with dual voltage support, I live in 220V region.

I am being offered a used Bheringer 500 (110V modified for 220V use - have to check to see whats been done). Not sure if this one is adequate enough for my needs.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would use a Crown XLS 1500 or 2500 amp.

 

[GO-NAD!]

How about one of the Behringer NU-DSP series (1000/3000/6000)? Built-in EQ and the prices are very reasonable. I believe it has a noisy fan, like most/all of Behringer's amps, so you might want to swap it out for a quieter version.

 

[panteragstk]

The lower power Behringer amps are very good for the money, but once you get to higher wattage you don't actually get the wattage you pay for (depending on the series of amp).

The older series was tested on AVS and was shown that the 2500w and the "4000w" version had the exact same power output. Taking the amps apart revealed identical internals.

Even if the behringer amps were perfect, you can't beat crown's warranty. They have a no fault 2 year warranty. There is literally nothing you can do to your amp to void your warranty. That to me is plenty of reason to purchase a crown amp. Plus, those drive core amps run nice and cool/quiet.

 

[lsiberian]

I'd go without a fan for a little more cost. A minidsp and a Peavey IPR or even a Yamaha P Series(best amps)

Do not get an A500. It has a high failure rate and is not enough power for a good sub.

 

[Sylar]

I would use a Crown XLS 1500 or..

The price is decent $385 @ amazon. But, a little lower price $360, can fetch Bheringer NU3000DSP iNuke which seems to pack much more power at least on paper. Whats the reason you are leaning towards Crown XLS.
It also has EQ, which Crown seem to lack (Is equalization feature advisable to have?).

On paper Bheringer seems like a better choice to me. (Interestingly Bheringer weighs lesser, I thought heavier usually equates to better power section)

How about one of the Behringer NU-DSP series (1000/3000/6000)? Built-in EQ and the prices are very reasonable. I believe it has a noisy fan, like most/all of Behringer's amps, so you might want to swap it out for a quieter version.

Again, is EQ feature something that I should try to have? If yes, Why? (I know I asked for it in my post, but not sure if I would need it)
The noisy fan is my only concern with Behringer.

The lower power Behringer amps are very good for the money, but once you get to higher wattage you don't actually get the wattage you pay for (depending on the series of amp).

Are these watts reliable numbers? or are they the same story of marketable specs, like AVR's usually do (like specs with 2 channel driven or 1Khz input)?

I'd go without a fan for a little more cost. A minidsp and a...

Seen this suggested in multiple posts. Need to read about what this does.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The price is decent $385 @ amazon. But, a little lower price $360, can fetch Bheringer NU3000DSP iNuke which seems to pack much more power at least on paper. Whats the reason you are leaning towards Crown XLS.
It also has EQ, which Crown seem to lack (Is equalization feature advisable to have?).

On paper Bheringer seems like a better choice to me. (Interestingly Bheringer weighs lesser, I thought heavier usually equates to better power section)


Again, is EQ feature something that I should try to have? If yes, Why? (I know I asked for it in my post, but not sure if I would need it)
The noisy fan is my only concern with Behringer.

I associate the Harman Crown amps better built quality than Behringer. Definitely hate fan noise - the Crown is silent.

I don't care for EQ. Some people use Audyssey for Sub EQ.

I just like simple high quality amp.

 

[GO-NAD!]

The price is decent $385 @ amazon. But, a little lower price $360, can fetch Bheringer NU3000DSP iNuke which seems to pack much more power at least on paper. Whats the reason you are leaning towards Crown XLS.
It also has EQ, which Crown seem to lack (Is equalization feature advisable to have?).

On paper Bheringer seems like a better choice to me. (Interestingly Bheringer weighs lesser, I thought heavier usually equates to better power section)


Again, is EQ feature something that I should try to have? If yes, Why? (I know I asked for it in my post, but not sure if I would need it)
The noisy fan is my only concern with Behringer.

Are these watts reliable numbers? or are they the same story of marketable specs, like AVR's usually do (like specs with 2 channel driven or 1Khz input)?


Seen this suggested in multiple posts. Need to read about what this does.

Having EQ built-in is definitely a nice feature to have. Of course, it only matters if you intend to use it. I don't know what your sub's tuning frequency is, but the NU-DSP series have high pass filters that can be set as low as 20Hz. If your sub is ported, that's probably something you need to protect the drivers. These amps are so light because they are D-class, which tend to be much lighter than A or A/B-class.

I'm not trying to talk you into any particular brand, but many people have gotten great service from Behringer amps. My EP2000 has worked fine for me. Yes, fan noise is an issue, but mine is in the basement. So, I didn't need to do a fan swap.

I have no experience with the other recommended amps, but they all have solid reputations.

 

[jinjuku]

If you want a quiet amp out of the box with no hacking it to get it quiet get the XLS Drivecore plus external EQ.

If you feel that you can successfully fan mod an amp get the Behringer NU/DSP amp.

Now I have both and the build quality is better on the Crown IMO but the Behringer should give many years of trouble free use in the home setting.

Either Crown needs to step up and give us a next generation XLS DriveCore with full DSP suite or Behringer needs to step up and put in some real heatsinking and PWM controller for the fan. I would pay more for either.

 

[walter duque]

The 1400.2 AB International Amps - Amplifiers is a great amp to drive subs with.

 

[panteragstk]

Are these watts reliable numbers? or are they the same story of marketable specs, like AVR's usually do (like specs with 2 channel driven or 1Khz input)?

Yes, the wattage numbers are accurate for almost any amps with the exception of the very, very low end. The behringer model's I'm speaking of are accurate until you get to the 4kw models.

 

[lsiberian]

If you feel that you can successfully fan mod an amp get the Behringer NU/DSP amp.

My amp has the fan mod, but it still makes some fan noise. It's nothing compared to my A/C or xbox, but it still might annoy some folks.

 

[jotham]

Consider a dayton amp

I've had pretty good luck with the standalone sub amps from Dayton. I use the "1000" watt amp to drive an 12" infinity perfect sub and a dayton 12" sub in separate passive enclosures. It has no issues and clips gracefully.

Dayton Audio SA1000 Subwoofer Amplifier Rack Mountable 300-811

I'm sure the pro-audio amps are nice and may have more power but I feel like the home theater functionality such as auto-turn on is very useful for my setup. The build quality and heat resistance seem great for the abuse I put it through.

Jotham

 

[jinjuku]

I've had pretty good luck with the standalone sub amps from Dayton. I use the "1000" watt amp to drive an 12" infinity perfect sub and a dayton 12" sub in separate passive enclosures. It has no issues and clips gracefully.

Dayton Audio SA1000 Subwoofer Amplifier Rack Mountable 300-811

I'm sure the pro-audio amps are nice and may have more power but I feel like the home theater functionality such as auto-turn on is very useful for my setup. The build quality and heat resistance seem great for the abuse I put it through.

Jotham

While I love PE and am active at their forums I think the SA1000 is a poor $ to performance proposition. First off the EQ is mono.

For auto turn on there are $20-$30 solutions out there. If talking Class D their idle load is extremely low so we are talking pennies a month in idle.

I can't in good faith recommend the SA1000 at it's current price.

 

[Sylar]

For auto turn on there are $20-$30 solutions out there.

...solutions like?

 

[jinjuku]

Take Charge Smart Power Strip Energy Saving Surge Protector with Autoswitching Technology 8 - Outet - UTC8MS - Amazon.com

 

[Sylar]

I explored around to see what is available back home. Both Behringer and Crown is available. But, Behringer does not have a service center here. Moreover, apparently they do NOT have warranty for products sold here. If the dealer is to be believed .

Crown on the other hand has a 3 year warranty, and the prices are pretty decent. Infinity seems to sell quite big for car audio over here and have set shop and service centers. Hence they seem to be the more reliable choice.

I am leaning towards Crown XLS 1500 and will mostly get this one.

1. Would I need to have anything else added if I choose to get the crown? I saw suggestions for an EQ, a Mini DSP. Now sure what would they achieve and how much would they help.
2. Would like to confirm, does XLS 1500 have sufficient power to drive 2 subs with 4 of 1260W drivers (2 drivers in each sub)? To me it looks like it has more than sufficient power even if I choose to upgrade.

to jinjuku
I would basically be connection one sub to one channel and other sub to other channel. Internally, the sub has 2 drivers which are connected in parallel, which is connected to one of the output channels. Pls confirm this is right.

 

[jinjuku]

If you are doing the 1260W *Single Voice Coil* you will wire in Parallel for a total 2 ohm load and wire each InfiniDOS to a channel on the amp.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm driving my dual Funk 18.0 w/ an ATI AT3002 amp (2ch). Sound great to me.

I'm bi-amping my dual RBH SX-1010 w/ 4ch of the ATI AT6012 amp. Sound great to me.

I'm driving my four Velodyne SC-600 subs with the ATI AT2004 (4ch). Sound great to me.

So I personally think the XLS1500 (525watts x 2ch into 4 ohms) is enough, although I may be in the minority.

You could also buy the XLS 2500 used for less than a XLS1500 new, but no warranty.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If you are doing the 1260W *Single Voice Coil* you will wire in Parallel for a total 2 ohm load and wire each InfiniDOS to a channel on the amp.

So if each sub is 2 ohm (since parallel), that means the XLS1500 is capable of 775 watts x 2ch into 2 ohms.