Heavy Duty Sub Amp

[cbecker33]

I also posted this in the subwoofer forum, I'm not sure which is the proper place so, here it is again.

First things first, I've been lurking hear for a bit and am quite impressed with the straight, no BS approach to hi-fi audio on this site. I finally decided to register because I could not find an answer to my question. Here it is:

I'm looking at putting together a fairly ridiculous DIY Sub/Amp combo. While all of the DIYers at www.diyaudio.com have been helpful, I though I might ask you audiophiles for your opinions. I was thinking of driving my sub with a pro grade amp. I like the mackie 1400 because I've used them before in DJ rig, and it has a built in crossover. Here is a link

What are all your opinions of this idea?

Thanks,

-Chris
Edit/Delete

 

[anamorphic96]

That should work fine. I have been impressed with the Mackie stuff I have heard. If you have not heard or used QSC you might want to check them out. Very reliable and powerful amps.

Glenn

 

[dohanc]

I currently run an external power amplifier (in fact without a receiver for now) because I come from a recording pro sound background. I have Polk RT-55 and just got a new set of B&W 602 S3. I did the following amp comparisons with a QSC RMX 1450 and a Carvin DCM-1000. I use a Carvin DCM-1000 100% of the time, and got a chance to trade someone for their QSC RMX 1450 if I wanted it, so I took it home to do some listening tests in two different rooms with very different acoustics. Note my results were far before I ever went online to be "influenced" by other people's opinions.

I noticed a slight but noticable difference of the upper mid to high frequencies on the QSC. They were a little more harsh than my Carvin. I only noticed this for the first two seconds after a switch. I would not have noticed a difference if there was any more than 10 seconds in between the switch. I liked the slightly smoother sound of my Carvin. The bass however was a bit different. I believe the bass response of the QSC was more "defined". It was a little clearier and punchier than my Carvin. Noticable? No, but I dont believe to many amps would give a "significant" difference in sound - at least not as much as the sub you use.

I have heard that the Mackie amps are very common in studios for reference monitors. I have heard their own active reference monitor a while back, and remember it sounding very very good.

I think most of the stuff you read on the internet about QSC is most likely there cheapest RMX amps. I would imagine their PLX amps are a bit better. And just remember, you can bridge your amp to run that subwoofer. I can't imagine you will need more power than even the smallest amplifier they make.

Just one other thing to think about, which is something I'm running into now: I have an external power amp, and I am looking to get a receiver primarily to be used as a 5.1 digital decoder as well as powering maybe 2 surround speakers and a center. My issue is that I have about 200W per channel at 8 ohms, and like the gain very very low. With a receiver I will have to turn the gain up very high, because the pre-amp outs will be reference to your receiver's volume. This scares me turning it up that much. If a wire ever got unplugged and any kind of pop or crackle was to occur, I would be very concerned about damaging my little speakers. With your monster sub - well that may be not a concern. But the physical structure of your house may!

 

[crashguy]

Being an owner of a fairly ridiculous sub myself (18" driver with 62 lbs magnet assembly, 4" voice coil, in a 13.5 cu.ft. box, powered by a Carver TFM-45 with 375w into 8 ohms stereo, 500w into 4 ohms stereo, 1000w into 8 ohms mono, I run it bridged mono into the 18 incher).

The only problem I have found so far is that my wife complains a lot when I ask her to her me reposition the sub, and Ive had to place felt tabs behind all of the pictures on the wall to keep them from making awful noises at 32 Hz.

I highly recommend going ridiculous on the sub, you'll be glad you did.

 

[cbecker33]

Being an owner of a fairly ridiculous sub myself (18" driver with 62 lbs magnet assembly, 4" voice coil, in a 13.5 cu.ft. box, powered by a Carver TFM-45 with 375w into 8 ohms stereo, 500w into 4 ohms stereo, 1000w into 8 ohms mono, I run it bridged mono into the 18 incher).

Wow I thought I was trying to go big, but you sir, are the master!!

I'm looking at doing something along the lines of this because space is an issue for now.

I really like the idea of using the the Mackie.....I just hate the industrial look...I like my electronics to be on display, but I don't want a gazillion led's like the 1400i has, nor the handles and rack mounts......Anybody ever take one of these out of its chasis and place it in a sleeker one?

One other question.....the mackie has a subsonic filter.....I'm wondering at what freq these cut in, and will it be a problem??

Chris

 

[cbecker33]

That should work fine. I have been impressed with the Mackie stuff I have heard. If you have not heard or used QSC you might want to check them out. Very reliable and powerful amps.

Glenn

I haven't used QSC, but I looked very seriously into them when purchasing DJ equipment, but the value/performance of the mackie won me over. My brother and I both used the same setup and really worked the mackie. We never experienced a single problem from it. I also love the built in crossover and quiet fan. My only concern is the subsonic filter. I wrote mackie reguarding the frequencies it cuts off, hopefully they will respond soon.

Chris

 

[cbecker33]

Ahhh here it is.......maybe I should get the 2600