I need advice guys!

[Daril Turro]

I recently acquired a set of brand new entry level PA Yamaha A15. They are rated at 8ohms 400 watts PGM 800 watts peak, RMS should be 200 watts if we fallow that most companies state PGM twice as the average power(RMS). I know i should get an amp between 320-500watts per channel @ 8ohms to be in the safe side. My question to you guys is which amp should i get on this range?. I have been looking at the Crown xls(1500/2000) and to the QSC (GX3/5), they both have similar prices, i don't mind weight, i don't care fan noise, which make my decision even harder . Yamaha? Peavey? .... i would be using this at home and in the occasional birthday party under 100 people. Sub will come later, just want to find me the right amp for these two, then i will think on the SUB. Thank you all in advance.

Note: my actual amp is a Radio Shack 250watts stereo 125 per channel.

 

[markw]

First, let's get a few things straight. This designed to be LOUD and fill a room with PA quality sound, not "hi fi" sound. It's got a rated response of 65 -20k +/- 10 decibels. That's not "hi-fi" That's designed for voice, not music.

As for power, it states program and peak power. "Program" means it should be able to handle this many CLEAN (not clipped) watts before giving up the ghost. And there's no guarantee it will sound decent while doing so. And, even though your RS amp is "only" rated for 125 wpc, you could still possibly damage your speakers if you overdrive it. Speakers don't handle clipped amps too well. IF it starts to sound bad, turn it down immediately.

"Peak" means it SHOULD be able to survive this much power for, oh, maybe a second or so, before croaking.

As for subs, to keep up with the volume level this beast can deliver (within it's range), you're gonna need a mega sub, probably a couple of bass bins and the required electronics.

 

[Daril Turro]

First, let's get a few things straight. This designed to be LOUD and fill a room with PA quality sound, not "hi fi" sound. It's got a rated response of 65 -20k +/- 10 decibels. That's not "hi-fi" That's designed for voice, not music.
As for power, it states program and peak power. "Program" means it should be able to handle this many CLEAN (not clipped) watts before giving up the ghost. And there's no guarantee it will sound decent while doing so. And, even though your RS amp is "only" rated for 125 wpc, you could still possibly damage your speakers if you overdrive it. Speakers don't handle clipped amps too well. IF it starts to sound bad, turn it down immediately.

"Peak" means it SHOULD be able to survive this much power for, oh, maybe a second or so, before croaking.

As for subs, to keep up with the volume level this beast can deliver (within it's range), you're gonna need a mega sub, probably a couple of bass bins and the required electronics.

I never said anything about "hi fi" sound ;-)
i know exactly what they are designed for
i also know the specs of the speakers
i also know what program, peak(useless, shouldn't be even used), and average power value watts are ;-)
i also know that 125 watts can fry them just like a 500 watts would.
i also know, since i was 9 years old( age at what i started to like the world of PA systems) that distortion MUST be avoided in any audio set up. That is the golden rule
I really appreciate your explanation and knowledge, i really do, but you didn't tell me anything about what amp you would recommend me lol
as for subs, like i said, i don't worry about them now, again, that will be after i get an amp for these two yamahas.

 

[markw]

Well, you seem to know everything that you need. Just choose whatever amp you like. You seem to have a pretty good handle on this market, having grown up in the PA field.

 

[Daril Turro]

Well, you seem to know everything that you need. Just choose whatever amp you like. You seem to have a pretty good handle on this market, having grown up in the PA field.

Thanks for your help buddy. I just got to this country from Cuba, in cuba i used to have house made amps, mixers, even the speakers repaired by ourselves. Thats why i am asking of a good amp, because i couldn't bring my 100 pounds beast made by a crazy friend of mine over with me, but alright, like you said, ill go with whatever i want

 

[markw]

Hey, you're probably more up on this than I am. I got out of doing semi-pro sound for local church concerts about ten years ago when I was in my late 50's.

I gave you good advice and you spit it back in my face. I must have lost that resume of your experience. What kind or response did you expect? A kiss?

Anything you can find at Musiciansfriend will meet your needs: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/

 

[rojo]

The QSC GX3's crossover seems to be static at 100Hz. I think the Crown's variable crossover will probably give you more flexibility when you add a sub. Crown amps are well reputed for reliability. That'd be the one I'd choose.

 

[Daril Turro]

Hey, you're probably more up on this than I am. I got out of doing semi-pro sound for local church concerts about ten years ago when I was in my late 50's.

I gave you good advice and you spit it back in my face. I must have lost that resume of your experience. What kind or response did you expect? A kiss?

Anything you can find at Musiciansfriend will meet your needs: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/

Hey, you're probably more up on this than I am. I got out of doing semi-pro sound for local church concerts about ten years ago when I was in my late 50's.

I gave you good advice and you spit it back in my face. I must have lost that resume of your experience. What kind or response did you expect? A kiss?

Anything you can find at Musiciansfriend will meet your needs: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/

Hey, you're probably more up on this than I am. I got out of doing semi-pro sound for local church concerts about ten years ago when I was in my late 50's.

I gave you good advice and you spit it back in my face. I must have lost that resume of your experience. What kind or response did you expect? A kiss?

Anything you can find at Musiciansfriend will meet your needs: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/

Hi

Hey, you're probably more up on this than I am. I got out of doing semi-pro sound for local church concerts about ten years ago when I was in my late 50's.

I gave you good advice and you spit it back in my face. I must have lost that resume of your experience. What kind or response did you expect? A kiss?

Anything you can find at Musiciansfriend will meet your needs: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/

hello sir, I apologize , as stupid as this sound all that replies was not me, I just got home from work, apparently my brother got into my computer and the idiot play the smart kid. Sorry about it. I've been looking that website in which actually I got the speakers from, but I can't decide or chose the right power :-( could you advice me something? Then again, I apologize for my brother

 

[Daril Turro]

The QSC GX3's crossover seems to be static at 100Hz. I think the Crown's variable crossover will probably give you more flexibility when you add a sub. Crown amps are well reputed for reliability. That'd be the one I'd choose.

Thanks for your input, one question, do you think the crown 2500 is to much for my speakers? Or the 2000 would be enough?

 

[agarwalro]

If you want to keep things a little lower in price, the Behringer iNuke amps are good value for money. They also have DSP and a USB interface for it. The NU3000 is pretty well matched, but, if you're doing outdoor (4x A15 fed 400W will give 106dB at 50ft.! Anyone closer for an extended time will be deaf by the time your concert ends.) If that's your scene, keep an eye on the clip led though.

The NU6000 may seem like overkill, but you can be sure the amp never clips (other than gain structure issues). With this one, you'll need to be careful not to bottom out the driver.

 

[Daril Turro]

Thank you for the replay. I went ahead and bought the QSC GX5. I did that because I sold my Yamaha and got some peavey black widow 350rms 700 program which is perfect for this amp. I hope I did the right thing lol