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choosing amp

post #1 of 67
1/4/08 at 11:52am
Thread Starter 
Hi folks,

Someone locally is selling his QSC PLX 1602. Previosly, my plan was to purchase Behringer EP2500 to drive my 2 Fi Q18"s IB modified. It was only EP2500 that I know since it's my first time to build a sub.

Anyways, is QSC PLX 1602 better than the EP2500? I'm sorry, I don't know how to compare amps. Or am I comparing apples to apples?

Or what about QSC RMX 850?

Thanks!
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post #2 of 67
1/4/08 at 12:50pm
IIRC the PLX series is a cut above the EP2500. The RMX series I believe is more or less a clone of the EP2500. Other folks on here can clarify or correct me if I'm wrong.
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post #3 of 67
1/4/08 at 1:17pm
I believe the Behringer EP#### is a clone of the QSC RMX####.

If the price was the same, or not a consideration, I would choose the lower powered PLX1602 over the EP2500 solely on build quality and the fact you won't need all the power the EP2500 will deliver. JMO though...

FWIW, once my EP2500 dies, I will either buy a Crown or QSC.
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post #4 of 67
1/4/08 at 1:21pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Looneybomber View Post

I believe the Behringer EP#### is a clone of the QSC RMX####.

If the price was the same, or not a consideration, I would choose the lower powered PLX1602 over the EP2500 solely on build quality and the fact you won't need all the power the EP2500 will deliver. JMO though...

FWIW, once my EP2500 dies, I will either buy a Crown or QSC.

Yeah, I've seen few people encounter issues with EP2500. I will try to haggle the price for the 1602. How much watts can I run my two Fi Q18"s? It's single ohm.

Looking at your replies folks, the 1602 is better than the RMX850. Am I correct? By the way, I got a reply from Thomas and he told me that I won't hear any difference. That means, I can get any of these.
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post #5 of 67
1/4/08 at 1:49pm
Thread Starter 
What do you think guys about $220 for the RMX 850? Is it a good deal? He said it's almost brand new. He didn't use.
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post #6 of 67
1/4/08 at 2:56pm
You mention your subs are a single ohm? Is that the resistance the amp will see? Dunno if either the EP2500 or the QSC's are OK at 1 ohm loads.
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post #7 of 67
1/4/08 at 3:00pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by deneb View Post

You mention your subs are a single ohm? Is that the resistance the amp will see? Dunno if either the EP2500 or the QSC's are OK at 1 ohm loads.

I will check the specs again. I think, it's 2 ohm. Maybe, it says, single 2 ohms. I will get back to you.
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post #8 of 67
1/4/08 at 3:07pm
It is important to consider reliability...yess....

Either of the QSC works.

Yeah check that
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post #9 of 67
1/4/08 at 4:05pm
Thread Starter 
Here it is for my Fi 18" IB driver:

Re 1.5 Ohms (single 2 Ohm)
Le .87mH
Fs 22.9 hz
Qms 3.25
Qes .79
Qts .63
Vas 381 l
Mms 258 g
Sd 1210 cm^2
Spl 89.4 1W/1m

Please let me know which QSC is better. Looks like 1602 will be the one.
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post #10 of 67
1/4/08 at 4:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by v1rtu0s1ty View Post

Here it is for my Fi 18" IB driver:

Re 1.5 Ohms (single 2 Ohm)
Le .87mH
Fs 22.9 hz
Qms 3.25
Qes .79
Qts .63
Vas 381 l
Mms 258 g
Sd 1210 cm^2
Spl 89.4 1W/1m

Please let me know which QSC is better. Looks like 1602 will be the one.

1602 will be the better choice...800watts per driver seems to be OK. IN fact this one is on my short list....wanna buy my buttkicker instead? :-)
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post #11 of 67
1/4/08 at 4:15pm
Keep in mind this IS for an IB right? The Fi 18" IB hits xmax with 600 watts at 20 Hz.
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post #12 of 67
1/4/08 at 8:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by matt5112 View Post

Keep in mind this IS for an IB right? The Fi 18" IB hits xmax with 600 watts at 20 Hz.

Yes, you are correct. The one I bought is IB modified by Scott from Fi. However, I really don't understand what those numbers are. So when you said, "hits xmax at 600 watts", what does it really mean?

Thanks!
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post #13 of 67
1/4/08 at 9:04pm
It means the driver is physically moving as much as it can (well, as much as it's supposed to without distorting too much) at 600W at 20Hz
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post #14 of 67
1/4/08 at 9:39pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DonoMan View Post

It means the driver is physically moving as much as it can (well, as much as it's supposed to without distorting too much) at 600W at 20Hz

Got it!

I'll have to be patient to save more money to get that 1602.

Oh, the reason I wanted to get EP2500 because next year, I was planning to add 2 more drivers thereby totalling to 4 drivers. Can the 1602 handle these 4 drivers?
Thanks!
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post #15 of 67
1/4/08 at 10:04pm
1602
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post #16 of 67
1/5/08 at 3:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by v1rtu0s1ty View Post

Got it!

I'll have to be patient to save more money to get that 1602.

Oh, the reason I wanted to get EP2500 because next year, I was planning to add 2 more drivers thereby totalling to 4 drivers. Can the 1602 handle these 4 drivers?
Thanks!

I think you would want the 2502 if you are thinking about 4 drivers.
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post #17 of 67
1/5/08 at 7:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by v1rtu0s1ty View Post

Oh, the reason I wanted to get EP2500 because next year, I was planning to add 2 more drivers thereby totalling to 4 drivers. Can the 1602 handle these 4 drivers?
Thanks!

The 1602 can handle 4 drivers, but you have to wire two in series to each channel, thereby decreasing the amps output to 500w/chan or 250w/sub.

Going with two EP2500's might be a more economical plan, but do you really need 3.2kw of power (800Wx4)? Also, do you have the circuitry to even handle that much power?

Quote:
Originally Posted by tundrSQ View Post

I think you would want the 2502 if you are thinking about 4 drivers.

The 1602 is rated at 800w x 2 at 2ohms. (one sub per channel)
The 2502 is rated at 750w x 2 at 4ohms. (two subs per channel)

That's not a bad idea. It's a class AB vs H, so the 2502 is also more efficient. That would be 375w/sub, and at 10hz, would likely get the sub moving pretty good. I'd model it to see, but I'm stuck at work right now...Though for the money, two EP2500's could also be had, shipped NIB, or two EP2500's and a pre/pro shipped, used.
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post #18 of 67
1/5/08 at 7:36am
375 watts gets them to 30mm at 10 Hz so that looks like the best plan.
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post #19 of 67
1/5/08 at 8:00am
Thread Starter 
I think you guys are right, like what NickF said that 2 drivers are enough. I think I should experience it first especially my ht room is only 21'x14'x8' where the 14'x3'x8'(behind false wall) is for the back of IB. If I stay with 2 drivers, I can just stick with the 1602 plan.

Quote:


375 watts gets them to 30mm at 10 Hz so that looks like the best plan.

Using 1602 with 2 drivers?
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post #20 of 67
1/5/08 at 8:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by v1rtu0s1ty View Post

Using 1602 with 2 drivers?

2502 with four drivers.
A 1602 with 2 drivers will still put out a lot of bass! Like you said, start with that because you can always upgrade later

Looking at www.djdeals.com it says something about a 100.00 rebate on QSC amps. Might be worth taking a look at?
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post #21 of 67
1/5/08 at 8:51am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Looneybomber View Post

2502 with four drivers.
A 1602 with 2 drivers will still put out a lot of bass! Like you said, start with that because you can always upgrade later

Looking at www.djdeals.com it says something about a 100.00 rebate on QSC amps. Might be worth taking a look at?

Thanks for the link.

The guy locally is going to call me on Sunday if he decides to bring the price down.
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post #22 of 67
1/5/08 at 9:53am
Thread Starter 
Ok, the guy emailed me about his friend's 1602. He said, his friend is a dj and he used it for some events. He also used it at home. He didn't tell me though how old it was. What else should I be asking? I asked for pictures too and I'll get them later. If you were to make an offer, how much are you willing to pay for this kind of status?
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post #23 of 67
1/6/08 at 8:52pm
Thread Starter 
Here is an update. I have a friend who knows someone at Guitar Center. He said he can get me 10% off. So I was looking at the QSC RMX1450 since they didn't have the PLX1602. This is the model that will perfectly fit my budget.

Is this a good choice?

http://www.guitarcenter.com/QSC-RMX1...24-i1145671.gc

or this which is Crown?

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Crown-Xs...82-i1145678.gc

or maybe this which is more cheaper but will I be able to do 10hz?

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Crown-XL...38-i1145681.gc

Which is better though, crown or qsc?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Neil
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post #24 of 67
1/7/08 at 4:06am
theres a nice crown amp selling here used....
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post #25 of 67
1/7/08 at 6:52am
Just running two of those IB 18s can get you a nice 4 ohm x 1 load which most pro amps can handle great when bridged so that should widen your available options. I love my plx 3602 but when using it with my four IB18s I am loosing some potential output from the amp. But with four 18s it makes no difference as my house gives up before the amp gets anywhere close to clipping!

Also, the 600 watts at 20hz = xmax deal is pretty pointless in my opinion. 1. The amp will not produce its rated power at 20hz. 2. The woofers can handle much more above 20hz where suspension is not limiting so by using less power all you do is limit your subwoofers sytem's headroom at frequencies above infrasonics.
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post #26 of 67
1/7/08 at 7:10am
I really don't think its worth it to buy from GC just because a friend can get you 10% off. There are still better deals on the net IMO. I am at the hospital right now, but musiciansfriend.com should still have some good deals on the Crown XS900 and the XS1200. Also check Audiolines.com for some deals.
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post #27 of 67
1/7/08 at 7:18pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the headsup about GC. We will visit GC tomorrow. He mentioned on the email that with the $799 I mentioned previously, he can get it for me between $600-$650. But this is beyond my budget.

So I guess, my last deciding factor would be the output. With the amps I've mentioned previously like QSC RMX 850, 1450, PLX 1602, Crown XS700 and the Behringer EP2500, will my driver sound the same? Or will one amp provide more cleaner output? If so, then I will just get the cheapest and reliable amp.

Please let me know.

Thanks!
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post #28 of 67
1/8/08 at 4:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by v1rtu0s1ty View Post

Thanks for the headsup about GC. We will visit GC tomorrow. He mentioned on the email that with the $799 I mentioned previously, he can get it for me between $600-$650. But this is beyond my budget.

So I guess, my last deciding factor would be the output. With the amps I've mentioned previously like QSC RMX 850, 1450, PLX 1602, Crown XS700 and the Behringer EP2500, will my driver sound the same? Or will one amp provide more cleaner output? If so, then I will just get the cheapest and reliable amp.

Please let me know.

Thanks!


If I was you i'd get the EP2500, it will work perfect for two of the IB woofers. You can always add another if you decide to add another pair!
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post #29 of 67
1/8/08 at 7:47pm
http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129580

I love how they say the Crown XLS series sucks.
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post #30 of 67
1/8/08 at 10:08pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the heads up. I've taken Crown out of my list.

The only amps left within my budget are the Behringer EP2500 and QSC RMX 1450. Looks like the winner is Behringer EP2500 especially it's down at $249 right now at GC. And also, with the 10%-20% discount I'm going to get from my friend, I can get it for $200-$225. The EP2500 price at Ebay is averaging $300-$310 including shipping. So, I guess, this is not a bad deal.

I'll update you this weekend.

Thanks again!
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