Best power option for 15/6/1 fEARful?

Its a misconception that you NEED that much power. I push my 1515/66 with a 400 watt amp and it is loud.

 

If you ever crank a full 800 (or more) watts into a 15/6, you won't be able to hear the drums unless they're mic'd through the monitors.

I have buried drummers with a single 12/6 and less than 450 watts.

 

The IPR3000 DSP is $600. The non dsp version runs around $400 but it doesn't come with all the stuff you listed. The HPF on the non dsp version is set at 100hz. Also I believe the IPR3000 bridged is more like 1600 watts bridged into 8 ohms.

The DriveCore's HPF is only adjustable down to 50hz, which may be a little high for your taste.

 

Yep. The price listed is for the non-DSP IPR. The extra 200$ for the DSP version may very well be worth it to you for the EQ, for the possible highpass on the very low end to filter damaging content and/or the Maxxbass feature, which is actually pretty sweet.

I got my IPR3000 for the 380~ price and have had no regrets. Loads of power, light weight and its been solid in use. I would say that the 'low pass' that is on these amps is meant for sub-only use on a PA and isn't really applicable to the fEARful as it low passes at 100hz, for true subwoofers.

 

Now that I think about it the IPR1600 DSP runs around $400 and it would put around 1000 watts at 8 ohms bridged. There's one on ebay right now for $365

 

Don't forget the Carvin HD1500. They are around $300. The same power section that the BX1500 has. It powers my 12/6 and 12/sub if I need to get that loud. It's bare bones so no EQ, HPF, or DSP. But that's what a preamp for. Also 9lbs and 1500W bridged isn't bad for that price. I'm still searching for the right pre (been through a couple) but I'm happy with the amp. The sansamp BDDI won't drive it fully but It will get it pretty damn loud.

 

FWIW you can run the Drivecore with no filter on and the 3015LF will handle it without any trouble IME, even bridging mono into a single 15-6. Whether you the ultra low content in the room is good, bad or indifferent is your call.

 

Bridging into 8 ohms would put around the equivelent of 4 ohm load on each channel and double the voltage swing. So If the amp puts out 515 at 4 ohms, ideally it would put out 1030 bridged into 8 ohms.

 

My Decision on the IPR3000 was based upon the modularity of the unit. With one cab running off of each side at 8ohms, it produces in the 450/500 range. If you run both cabs on one channel, its' also good for about 500w per cab. If you need more power, then bridged it hits the 2960w number (burst and assuming your Main can provide), or just under 1500w per cab, which is well more than the fEARful 15/6 can actually handle. That gives me flexibility on stage, to run the setup three different ways as needed. If I'm up on stage and we need a channel for monitors, or for keys, I can do it and still have the 'same' expectations.

 

If you want to go the power amp route, I suggest using an amp with DSP. The IPR1600DSP and Crown XTI 1002 or 2002 (if you want more headroom). The XTI series have a nice DSP built in with limiters as well as HPF capabilities. If you plan to run two fEARfuls someday, the XTI2002 will give you 2000W at 4Ohms. Plenty of power with some headroom and limiting capabilities. Or, you could go with a lower priced amp and purchase a separate speaker management rack unit with xovers and limiting.

p.s. there is a lot of this info over at the fEARful forum. You may want to check in over there.

 

At the risk of making your life more difficult...
I use a D.C.1500 with the 50hz filter going into a few different cabs including Acmes which I believe have sort of the same design philosophy as the Fearful stuff.

I doubt very seriously if any of you would characterize my tone as lacking in low end.

IF your objective is to control speaker excursion with no effect on tone what-so-ever..50 may be a little high for you but, if you actually want to tighten up the bottom of a cab that puts out a bunch of bottom on its own, 50 hz is really right about where you want to be,

imho

 

I would get the Carvin BX1500 and be done with it. Since you are spending good money for a top-of-the-line cab, the Carvin will give the you power, options, and EQ flexibility that very few heads or amp/pre-amp combinations can give you. You can bridge the head’s power into a single cab for max headroom/clarity, OR, if you add a second cab (preferably an identical cab), you have the choice of running bridged @ 1500w or running in bi-amp mode at 450w per cab. I run my BX1200 in bi-amp mode and it’s an amazing function. It helps me overcome any room or stage situation I may face. There’s no other head like it. The Puma comes close but can only bridge at 8 ohms instead of 4 ohms (like the Carvin). They thought of everything with the BX1500, IMO.

 

Two things.
1st. The IPR DSP is a different animal to the IPR nonDSP. Bridging may not work the same way on it. Particularly when using its DSP functions. All of my searches here and on Peavey's forum have yielded instructions for the nonDSP version.

2nd. The BX1500 looks awesome especially in its technical specs, but some people particularly fEARful users have found it cuts out when bridged for the full 1500. Could be just one unit, check the fEARful forum for details. Also others have reported clipping its input very easily. Once again this depends on the signal they are giving it and may not apply to you.
I only mention these things because you seem to be interested in flexibility, which may or may not be inherent in these models.