Crown or QSC for a power amp?

You can't go wrong with either one, if you can afford the XTRA bucks get the qsc

but , the crown is a great amp too(i'm a crown kinda guy)

I don't think i helped in anyway,but, i just

 

Holy crap, I thought my XTi 1000 got loud! Remind me not to get near your stack...

This turns into personal preference, really. Both are solid companies with excellent reputations and service.

The XTi is definitely not Crown's high end of amps, but they do exactly what they are supposed to do. Programming is a pain, though (whoever designed the DSP to require a computer should be flogged).

On the flip side, Bob Lee from QSC hangs around these parts...you couldn't ask for a more helpful guy. Great company and gear.

-Mark

 

What he said.

 

I know the PLX series are really clean and accurate for really low frequency stuff. Besides just running a kick drum through it or a DJ's low-end dance-club music, it'll handle your bass' lowest stuff without losing fidelity or tightness.

 

as will most anything from Crown or Crest or QSC ... I have a PLX 2402 and it's great - but truly it's overkill... the OP's selections border on the ridiculous for a bass rig. IMO save your shekels and scale appropriately.

 

If I were you, go with the QSC.

I run sound about as much as I play out. So, if you're able, go with the QSC.(IME)(IMO).

You may want to consider viewing the "white papers" on these amps.
In any comparisons I have made, the QSC had significantly less distortion at higher volumes as opposed to crown.

Crown It6000 vs QSC RMX 5050............ Running 4-2x18" cabinets (Peavey SP218) ......... The QSC actually had less power.

(I believe the above amps listed to be considered,"Totally ridiculous", for a bass player's rig, though, unless you're trying to make up for other personal attributes.)

 

In a jam, you could run your bass rig off of just one side of the power amp and save the day by powering the entire PA system from the other half of your power amp. Just kidding, but I do agree that the amount of power your looking at is complete overkill.

Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with either brand, but I'd be looking at only half the power that your currently considering. With the extra cash, you could pick up a nice avatar cab for getting louder on the bigger gigs if necessary.

I just recently got rid of my SVP Pro in favor of a SansAmp RPM preamp, but I can tell you that the SVP/QSC combo plays real nice together - it rocks! The SVP Pro has enough gain on tap to drive the QSC into the red if necessary & the tone is wonderful. But I am sure any high quality power amp will suffice. My loyalties lie with QSC, but that is my personal preference. Hope this helps.

 

You're shopping in the wrong places. Neither one of those amps need cost that much if you look a little harder.

 

+1 on that statement
i've been using a qsc plx3002, more power than i need, which is quite
nice to have at the same weight as much less powerful amps.
the qsc also fits in a standard rack bag, with easily accessible clip limiter and high pass filter switches. i picked it up used for a mere 400.00 in excellent condition.

 

I've been using the QSC 1804 lately and I love it! one cool thing you can do with it is to run the channels in parralell (plug one into the other in the back of the amp) and run 2 cabs from the back. You now have seperate volume controls for each cab! GREAT for dialing in a room (I use an Accugroove Tri115 and tri112, so I can harness more of one over another depending on the room).
Although that means that you are running each at only 8 ohms, but I've never needed more than that (and I've played some pretty big venues with that rig). There is no way to bridge power on the 1804, however, but again....never needed to with this rig.
Probably can't go wrong with either, tho. Just run a nice pre in front and you'll be golden! (I use the alembic F1-X and I couldn't be happier). I use to play through all Aguilar and the DB750 is probably still my favorite tone, but this is SO much lighter and I can even use a shallow rack!

 

To clarify the scale thing ... I'm only running off one side of my 2402 .. 700 at 4 ohm's and it's seriously loud and punchy. I'm dropping back to a GK 1001 RB II as a live rig asap and simplifying life a little. Tha 2402 can sit in the AP rack if necessary...

 

I own a lot of QSC stuff and have played in bands that used a lot of Crown stuff. Both are pretty much turn them on and forget about them. I use mostly QSC these days because I have a local dealer that can (not that I'm anticipating any problems) service them if need be. But, as far as any sonic differences, I can't hear any.

 

meh. horses for courses...
depends on the application.
for example, i run my 3002 in stereo (using stereo fx) to two 8 ohm bergantino cabs. this yields 550 watts per cab, just enough for clean headroom. the 3402 would be 700 per channel at 8ohms, still reasonable headroom for a pair of 8 ohm cabs.
silly generalizations about how much power one needs to compensate for physical attributes are counter-productive and short-sighted imho.
as a pro touring engineer myself, i believe headroom never hurt anyone,
more importantly never hurt any gear in the proper application.
especially at around 20lbs...

 

Are you specifically looking for a light amp? I used to use a PLX-3402 & have switched to a Crown Macrotech 2400 (about $800 used)
Man, what a difference! The clip lights on the QSC blinked constantly....The Crown at the same levels is barely breathing even though the QSC is rated 300 watts more per channel.

The Crown just seems to keep up with transients on the lows waaaay better

of course....IMHO!!!!

 

I have a plx1602 and do exactly that for small-moderate venues. Nonpowered mixer sits right on top of my rig so I don't have to chase cables all night. If it gets bigger, I would use both channels, and power my bass rig withmy Peavey TMax - usually saved for standy-by.

 

That goes with what I observed from at least the first gen PLX 3402s. As soon as my SR company at the time got some, I tried them out in a medium club setting as a sub amp. Nope...clip lights galore, then they went thermal. Crown Macrotech just cruised through it.

Moved the PLXs to monitors, and they rocked the house (stage, actually...).

To be fair, the PLX series wasn't made or priced to compete directly against Crown's top of the line (at the time) Macrotechs. The PL series did that, and did an admirable job.

-Mark