Behringer iNuke 12000 - MegaPower not MegaBucks

Edit - Behringer posted this on their Facebook page in response to a user query:


Behringer unleashes the most powerful iNuke ever. The iNuke 12000 (and the DSP version) can output 12,000 watts (peak), very impressive considering the fact it weighs only 18 lbs and takes up only two rack spaces. The iNuke series is very popular among DIY subwoofer builders as well as home theater enthusiasts thanks to the watts-per-dollar ratio they provide as well as their efficiency and light weight. In general the main gripe regarding the iNuke series of amplifiers is that the RMS rating is lower than the advertised power rating - the iNuke 6000 put out about 4,000 watts or real power. The iNuke 12000DSP doubles that, so real-world power (RMS) should be in the 8,000 watt range - 4,000 per channel - into 2 ohms which should be enough to drive any subwoofer that I am aware of. Retail is expected to be $899 for the 12000 and $999 for the 12000DSP.

Edited by imagic - 2/5/13 at 7:12am

Thank you, fixed... the Nu12000 fits in 2 rack spaces folks. Same as all the other iNukes.

Edited by imagic - 1/28/13 at 9:41am

Even for driving a subwoofer? That's is about the only thing a sane person would ever need so much power for in a home environment. That said, the iNuke and similar amps have nothing to prove, they sound great. I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for 'the most discerning audiophiles' to 'discover' how good class D sounds these days. I'll wind up dead.
Edited by imagic - 1/28/13 at 10:00am

It is true that the iNuke 6000 spec calls for a 25 amp fuse, so a 50 amp fuse is not out of the question for the 12000. I do not have an answer yet. Power draw should be 1240 watts if it is exactly double the 6000, but actual draw could wind up being a bit different. It is true, if you use it for program material instead of sine-wave tests, a 15-20 amp line could be enough. Not a shared line though - drawing 1240 watts from the outlet is like a hair dryer or space heater. One thing I noticed in the pictures of the rear panel, it looks like the NU12000 takes a different kind of power cord and the plug is labeled 'power supply', perhaps this iNuke comes with a brick-type power supply of some sort?



Edited by imagic - 1/28/13 at 10:42am

It should exactly double the 6000, so expect approx 4,000 watts/channel RMS @ 2 ohms with some drop off in the infrasonic range, as usual. I expect we'll eventually see a 4-channel version, which reminds me where is that 4-channel iNuke 6000? Alas, still coming soon.

Edited by imagic - 1/28/13 at 10:54am

It is not for you or I to judge, it is a fact that there are people who need that much power to drive the subwoofers they have in their home theaters. Until now they have had few options for an amp that can run a high-excursion 18" subwoofer to its limits, with the available options being either too expensive, too heavy or else they are 'gray market' items. This iNuke affords a 'with warranty' option for under $1,000 that doesn't require one to be a bodybuilder to move it.

Before DIY I had a gross misperception about what it takes to have 'good bass' - I can tell you that when you use the term 'knock us out of our chair', the hardcore DIY crowd takes the term literally... and it requires kilowatts of power to achieve. Uncompressed movie soundtracks are quite the revelation when the dynamics of the soundtrack are totally unconstrained by power limits, and that dynamic openness translates quite directly to music. Yes the right speakers powered by 10-20 refined watts will sound great, they will sound even better backed up by 8,000 watts of bass, even at 'modest' volume.

If you are not familiar with the DIY builds, some of them would chew up multiple iNuke 12000s and spit them out, like this 'hall of fame' rig:



Edited by imagic - 1/29/13 at 12:15pm

Perfect for folks who like listening to headphones wired to 200 watt/channel amplifiers! Nothing like headroom.