Crown XTi 1000 or Crown XS 500 AMPS, please help!!!

[hmarkvitz]

Hi, I need some help on some Power Amps. I am looking to buy one of these two amps. I saw them on musiciansfriend.com and need one of the two to use on my two Peavey PV118 subwoofers, so I wanted to know if somebody can help me choose witch is the better one of the two. Cause the XS 500 has more Power but the XTi has more features. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Here are the links:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Crown-XTi-1000-Power-Amplifier?sku=481588V

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Crown-Xs500-Power-Amp?sku=481583

[Bops2000]

My dime
The xs 500

[hmarkvitz]

have you tried the XTi 1000, cause I like both of them.

[Bops2000]

no, the warranty, as well as the specs, size of rack space, pushed me to the xs500.
However no clue what you are doing with it. if in no hurry, Sabiang would be the goto Guy.

[hmarkvitz]

I am actually dJing.... I have 2 peavey SP2G hooked up with a Peavey CS800X amp and now I bought the two PV118 subwoofers so I need an amp that will juice my woofers 100%. what is Saibang?

[sabianq]

LOL
hey bops!
whazzup?

regardless, welcome to audioforums.com

A bit of background,
the xti series amplifiers
http://www.crownaudio.com/images/XTi_stack.jpg
are extremely versatile amplifiers built by crown, I have set many of these babies up in conference rooms because of the durability and linearity of the crown name. and the fact that you can configure them to run a 70volt system is extremely useful. (i would use a different amp if this weren't the case)

while yes, they have many features, however, the XTi 1000 amp is not necessarily that well suited for pushing the high wattage demand that your sub system would need. You would need to use the XT1 2000 to drive your subs with better accuracy and lower distortion.

and i doubt that you will be setting up a 70volt system anytime soon so combined with that, also an amplifier like this really is not designed to be road worthy and is more designed to be set in a stationary rack behind the wall of a conference room, however, i doubt using this amp in a touring capacity will diminish its life as all crown stuff are built like tanks.. i would follow bops advise and go with a bigger and simpler amplifier like the xs series and an active crossover as you would need to utilize the XTi 2000 to match your power needs for your drivers.


but if you really want to find an amplifier that will match your cabs, in general an amp that has about 10% more power than your cab's RMS value is more desirable. you will find out that sub frequencies tax the amplifier far more than higher frequencies do. and if you have more power to drive your cabs with, then you will have way more head room and your amp wont be driven to a clip as quickly which can damage your drivers.

before you run out and purchase an amplifier, i would suggest that you look at the wattage/ohms requirements of your cabinets and pick an amplifier that can exceed the drivers RMS values by at least 10%
It is also important that you make sure that your amplifier can deliver the proper wattage for the ohm load. in general, amplifier companies will advertise their amplifier wattage outputs at 4 ohms because that value is more impressive than the value is at 8 ohms which is typically less than 1/2 the stated power output.

so if you like, you can post your cabinet specifications and someone here can recommend a high quality/ rugged amplifier that would suite your needs great!
if you would like to do some research yourself, the QSC, and Myers Sound amplifiers are both fantastic companies for high power audio system products, also look to Peavy for more affordable but highly rugged touring equipment.
I'm sure other people here will also make suggestions for high power equipment.


your look toward using crown amplifiers tells me that you have done some homework into finding a good amplifier company and are willing to purchase the better equipment for your system.


hope this helps
cheers

[sabianq]

ok i see you have listed the PV118 as your sub cab

the specifications of this beast are as follows:
http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/fit,400by400/quality,85/brand,zzounds/pv118_00573840-1c4a96c9685fe3b9c420865b61b04907.jpg

400 Watts program power handling

40 Hz - 180 Hz (+/- 3dB)

95 dB at 1W/1m

8 Ohms

which means that the driver should use at least (400) watts@ 8 ohms.

a 500 watt /8 ohm amplifier would be a good choice.

the xs500 by crown would be a very good match.

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/regular/0/4/2/266042.jpg
# 750W per channel @ 2 ohms
# 500W @ 4 ohms
# 400W @ 8 ohms
# 1450W @ 8 ohms bridged

so i would have to say if these were your two choices only, you would be way happier with the xs500 assuming you already have a crossover in your chain.

cheers

[sabianq]

there is one advantage to using the XTi 2000 Amplifier though.
the extra features would allow you to configure the XTi for your sub system set as it has a programmable EQ and Crossover in it eliminating the need for an outboard active crossover (no extra equipment) which can be a big plus.

[hmarkvitz]

Sabiang, thanks for the answers, I need to keep in mind that I need to buy an active crossover for my cabs, What do you think is a better choice, Spending de 350 and 100 more for the crossover, or spending 550 on the XTi 2000?

[sabianq]

honestly, both solutions would work well.
it comes down to how much equipment do you want to carry around with you.
the XTi 2000 is like you said, loaded with stuff to make your life easier.
while a separate unit can provide you with a bit more durable set up and you can always replace the individual component in case of equipment failure.

at the same tim, i have not run into an XTi that failed yet so, you might a well flip a coin.

also, don't forget you have to set up the wiring in the rack. and if your not carrying around a prewired rack which can be heavy you need to plug up every time you tour.

i personally use an old Ashly crossover when i set up a sub in my system.

[hmarkvitz]

Thanks a lot for all the answers

[87PRS]

hey...I just wanted to chime in since I have the same set up from Peavey, 2 SP3 and 118 cabs and use a Crown XS602 for the subs, although rated at 375 watts at 8 ohms, when you get to 4 ohms they will kick...I have a friend who has the monster xti4000 by Crown = powerplus! sabian is da man on live sound, good info!!

[sabianq]

thanks 87, your to kind.


as for the XTi 4000 amps <drool> i would love to get my hands on that type of power for personal use.

im always setting up systems for other people. and my personal system while very nice is still lacking.

regards.

[exige]

hey guys...first post here...kinda surprised i found this. google's a good friend :)

anyways....im currently having this same line of debate. i'm deciding between the XTi 2000 and the XS900 for home audio use. I'm gonna be powering a TC Sounds 15" Quad-Voice Coil TC-3000. the 900 would provide more power, but again the XTi has more features. I've been trying to figure out one thing though....does the XS900 have a crossover built in? if not then that would settle my debate entirely as i need one for the sub. the 2000 does have that so i'd be good.

as far as crown goes....does their stuff produce rated power and do they seem to do well in non-PA system installs? i would guess yes because its less rigorous? plz let me know what you think about them.

also is their customer service good? i havent heard the best of stuff about harman kardon so im a bit curious about crown. I think I can get an XTi 2000 for 550 shipped from ebay brand new or 550 as a refurb elsewhere. How do you guys feel about the need for a warranty on an amp like theirs? do crowns break down frequently, every now and then, or rarely ever?

lastly, is the XTi one of the bottom of the line amps from crown? if so do you still recommend it? im just venturing into PA stuff for home audio use. i basically couldnt find any home audio amp to power my sub for 1800 watts at 6 ohms that was 700 or less. which brings me to another question i forgot about....is it possible the xti or xs series can work fine down to 2 ohms bridged? if so this would save me a lot of money.

sorry for so many questions and for being a noob. gotta learn somewhere though.

o lastly...sabiang....are you a crown dealer or something? if so would you be able to sell me an xti for less than retail?

[87PRS]

hey guys...first post here...kinda surprised i found this. google's a good friend :)

anyways....im currently having this same line of debate. i'm deciding between the XTi 2000 and the XS900 for home audio use. I'm gonna be powering a TC Sounds 15" Quad-Voice Coil TC-3000. the 900 would provide more power, but again the XTi has more features. I've been trying to figure out one thing though....does the XS900 have a crossover built in? if not then that would settle my debate entirely as i need one for the sub. the 2000 does have that so i'd be good.

as far as crown goes....does their stuff produce rated power and do they seem to do well in non-PA system installs? i would guess yes because its less rigorous? plz let me know what you think about them.

also is their customer service good? i havent heard the best of stuff about harman kardon so im a bit curious about crown. I think I can get an XTi 2000 for 550 shipped from ebay brand new or 550 as a refurb elsewhere. How do you guys feel about the need for a warranty on an amp like theirs? do crowns break down frequently, every now and then, or rarely ever?

lastly, is the XTi one of the bottom of the line amps from crown? if so do you still recommend it? im just venturing into PA stuff for home audio use. i basically couldnt find any home audio amp to power my sub for 1800 watts at 6 ohms that was 700 or less. which brings me to another question i forgot about....is it possible the xti or xs series can work fine down to 2 ohms bridged? if so this would save me a lot of money.

sorry for so many questions and for being a noob. gotta learn somewhere though.

o lastly...sabiang....are you a crown dealer or something? if so would you be able to sell me an xti for less than retail?

Welcome to the audioforums exige!
If anything imo Crown is under rated in their power, but opinions may vary.
For home use I'd go with the xti model, it has so many built in features that would benefit home audio...one coming to mind is the bass systhesizer, BOOM.

If you rate inexpensive as being a lower model Crown, it would be the XS200, if they still make it...and Crown will operate at 2 ohms, but 4 ohms is alot better on the gear, in PA use I am thinking "heat", I'm guessing 6hms is a home audio thing, I am not familiar with it. Customer service? I've never had to use them and I've been using Crown for a long time.

One thing to think about in regards to home audio is noise, and some of the stereo power amps that are used for PA have cooling fans built into them, just a thought.

There are alot of audio people on this forum that have a wealth of knowledge, its a good place to be.

sabi...you're too modest :) that xti4000 is the bomb, have you ever scrolled the menu in that thing :eek:

[exige]

If anything imo Crown is under rated in their power, but opinions may vary.
For home use I'd go with the xti model, it has so many built in features that would benefit home audio...one coming to mind is the bass systhesizer, BOOM.

sabi...you're too modest :) that xti4000 is the bomb, have you ever scrolled the menu in that thing :eek:


wow i thought i had seen everything on that amp...but obviously not. what exactly is the bass synthesizer and what does it do? very interested....

secondly, you comment on the 4000 being awesome....doesnt it have all the same features as the 2000? and if so, then i get to scroll the menu lol...

lastly, what other features besides eq, xover, and bass synthesizer does it have that the normal home audio user would have a need for? im just trying to grasp all its capabilities. thanks!

[sabianq]

The main advantage of the XTi is the fact that it has an on board DSP

the XTi has the following factory presets

DSP off: where the signal by passes the DSP completely and goes directly to the amplifier.

Bridge: both channels are mono summed and sent to both channels outputs

XOVER: Chanel one input signal is sent to both output channels. channel 1 is set to send only low frequencies and channel 2 is set to send only high frequencies. the cross over point can be manipulated.

BRG SUBS: (bridge subs) both channels inputs are mono summed and sent to both channels. the amp is in bridge mono mode. the output has a lowpass filter at 90Hz which can be changed.

SUB SYNTH: (Subharmonic synthesizer) Low frequencies are synthesized to add extra deep bass. both channels are mono summed and sent to both channels output. the output has a lowpass filter set to 90hz. which can be changed.

EQ: for channel 1 or 2. the options are in or out

DEL: (delay) channel 1 or 2 from off to 1-10 millisecond's, 10-50 milliseconds.

Lim: (limiter) hard limit the signal to
-3 db below clip
-6 db below clip
-12 db below clip

and of course, the obligatory stereo, mono, or bridge or parallel modes

plus you can set some of them to output 70v signals for commercial PA or music systems.

http://www.crownaudio.com/pdf/amps/139548.pdf

BTW, i am not a Crown rep or sales person, I am not affiliated with crown, Shure, QSC, Mackie or any other audio equipment manufacturer.
I just happen to use all sorts of equipment and have set up many a systems for a myriad of people.
I have been in the public address and pro audio/video industry for well over 15 years now.

After using all sorts of equipment, i have settled into using certain manufactures equipment mainly because of their "road worthiness", sustainability and reliability.

i have been burned using some types of equipment and have yet to see failures in other types of equipment.

I love QSC and Crown amps, Mackie mixers and cabs, Shure and AKG microphones, DBX compressors and limiters. Love all Ashly, Rane and Symetrix equipment. (the Ashly SRA-120 is a fantastic nearfield amp)

EAW makes great drivers.

http://www.ashly.com/
http://www.rane.com/
http://www.symetrixaudio.com/

love Motorola DSP's.

not a fan of Mackie amplifiers, Yamaha Mixers, or QSC powered speakers. and i think Meyer Sound is a bit overrated..

[exige]

thanks for the info!

i'm going with the XTi 2000. i found it for $570 shipped, brand new, and tax-free from an authorized dealer! brand new for that amount, not b stock or refurb! so needless to say im jumping on that deal. the best i found from an authorized dealer for the xs900 shipped was $535. for $35 ill take the 2000 in a heartbeat. anyways, thanks for the help guys, i appreciate it!