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Crown XLS 1000?

baddarryl

baddarryl

Oct 26, 2008
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Cape Fear!
#1
Is anyone running these as there backline with cabinets and is it enough juice for rock and roll/metal? Crown lists 300W at 4 ohms and I can't find if that number is Peak or RMS. I would run it with one or two 8ohm Avatar cabs depending on situation.
 
#2
All I could find...

From their FAQ:


How does Crown measure power?
Output power is measured using the "Maximum Average Power" method. The Maximum Average Power test is designed to be an easy way to more closely approximate output power with real world musical sources. The test is simple: the amplifier is set up with the level controls turned to the maximum setting, and then a connected sine wave source is increased until the specified total harmonic distortion is reached.

Invalid Link Removed

You've probably seen the Power Matrix at Invalid Link Removed
 
#4
I should have stated in my initial response that the FAQ answer doesn't seem to answer anything at all. It seems to stop short. After they describe how they get the signal going for the test, there is no mention of what is measured and what they do with that information to come up with a conclusion :(

I was hoping someone who has a lot of pro audio experiance might chime in with at least an opinion of how Crown watts might compare to WRMS or Peak Watts of other PA's commonly used. I'm sure they are loud, but that just doesn't help much in determining the cab munching capabilities. I have an old, heavy 125W/Ch crown that's way louder than what I need it to be (vocal PA and maybe sometimes an acoustic geetar on a cheap mic).
 
#8
seamonkey said:
Crown is an honest company. Just like many power amp makers these days.

They do tell you what they believe to be what you need to know.
Crowns are rated as just "w" and have been for years.
I suspect they don't publish Watts as peak or RMS as it is misleading. And I agree.

Crown does have all kinds of accurate measurements published:
Crown XLS 1000
Click to expand...
I don't doubt they are honest, don't doubt they have good products. I view them as the bottom end of good pro audio gear, which is great for most of us and our needs. That is not a negative view of Crown. Anything less is junk. Anything more is expensive. Reliable, feature rich, a great bang for the buck.

What I don't like is the lack of standard power ratings. How is a fella supposed to know how much is enough and how much is too much? For bass use, if you run a distorted signal, or in the mix, you might not be able to hear if the cab is getting too much mojo for her safety.

I would still buy Crown if I were after a new PA. I would test it with a clean signal in a quiet environment and maybe call them for an opinion on safety with the driven cab.
 
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#9
baddarryl said:
Is anyone running these as there backline with cabinets and is it enough juice for rock and roll/metal? Crown lists 300W at 4 ohms and I can't find if that number is Peak or RMS. I would run it with one or two 8ohm Avatar cabs depending on situation.
Click to expand...

If they're two similar cabs you can run them bridged for 1100w @ 4 ohms. That's what I did with mine. If you need to control the gain for each cab that drops you pretty significantly.
 
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#10
baddarryl said:
Is anyone running these as there backline with cabinets and is it enough juice for rock and roll/metal? Crown lists 300W at 4 ohms and I can't find if that number is Peak or RMS. I would run it with one or two 8ohm Avatar cabs depending on situation.
Click to expand...
I have one I've used a few times when playing outdoors. There's there's plenty of power available IF you can get a high enough input level to get the amp to perform at its rated power. The Crown requires a relatively high input level to achieve its rated output.
 
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#11
Tim Skaggs said:
I have one I've used a few times when playing outdoors. There's there's plenty of power available IF you can get a high enough input level to get the amp to perform at its rated power. The Crown requires a relatively high input level to achieve its rated output.
Click to expand...
That might be a compelling reason to hold out for one of the Crowns with an input sensitivity selection. Good information.
 
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#12
Most companies make solid gear these days. I've been using an Alto power amp that gives me 250w per channel @8ohms (500w @4ohms) which I use in parallel mode. Same as a regular 500w bass amp. Plenty of juice for my needs playing pop, r&b, soul and funk. Going strong with zero issues for several years now. I also use it to run subs for my PA. I also own a Crown power amp I use for the mains. Zero issues.

OP plays rock and metal so may not be enough juice in stereo or parallel mode. Run it bridged.
 
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#14
It’s an honestly rated 1000w power amp; you can push 1000w bridged into your pair of 8 ohm Avatars. Whether it will be loud enough for your “metal” depends on the overall volume of the band, what kind of tone you’re after and what pre you will be using to drive it. Without more context your question is unanswerable.

I run an XLS 1002 and the input sensitivity is selectable between 1.4 and .75 v. My SWR GP drives it to full power no problem.
 
#16
baddarryl said:
Is anyone running these as there backline with cabinets and is it enough juice for rock and roll/metal? Crown lists 300W at 4 ohms and I can't find if that number is Peak or RMS. I would run it with one or two 8ohm Avatar cabs depending on situation.
Click to expand...
I’ve been running that amp for several years without any problems. It’s enough for rock and roll/metal - at least for me. I am using it bridged with one cab. The rating is honest and comparable to RMS, IMO.
As others have said, watch out for the input sensitivity on the old model. And also when you bridge, you need a different speaker cable - look in the manual.
 
#18
ihixulu said:
Without more context your question is unanswerable.
Click to expand...
Sorry. This whole idea is new world to me. I have an Avatar 12/6 8ohm, 300 watts I think, and an Avatar 212 8ohm about the same. I have a SansAmp RBI preamp that will be in front. I wonder about it is output and if that will match with the Crown. The reason I ask is there is on for sale locally that is supposed to be new in the box. I think their warranty is transferable too I read.
 
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#19
Here are the specs on my preamp:

SansAmp RBI Specifications:
Model Number: RBI Input Impedance-Input 1: 1MΩ Input Impedance-Input 2: 1MΩ Output Impedance-1/4”: 1K Ohm min Output Impedance-XLR: 600 Ohm min Input Level-Input 1: 1V RMS max Input Level-Input 2: 1V RMS or 10V max, with -20dB pad engaged Output Level-XLR: Switchable to -20dB or 0dB range Maximum Output Level: +10dB or better Effects Loop Send: 1K Ohm min, -20dB Effects Loop Return: 100K Ohm min, -20dB Low Frequency Response: 10Hz or better* High Frequency Response: Harmonic content, 20kHz or better* Maximum Power Consumption: 5 Watts AC Input Power (factory set): 100V, 117V, 230V, 240V Cycles: 50/60 Hz NOTE: Each unit is constructed for specific voltages. AC power cannot be switched. Enclosure: Aluminum and steel, fully shielded Dimensions: 19.0”w x 1.75”h x 5.25”d / Overall depth: 6.25” Weight: 5 lbs.
NOTES: ___________________________________________________________________
 
#20
baddarryl said:
Sorry. This whole idea is new world to me. I have an Avatar 12/6 8ohm, 300 watts I think, and an Avatar 212 8ohm about the same. I have a SansAmp RBI preamp that will be in front. I wonder about it is output and if that will match with the Crown. The reason I ask is there is on for sale locally that is supposed to be new in the box. I think their warranty is transferable too I read.
Click to expand...

I've had no problems "feeding" my XLS 1500's & 2500's with the SansAmp rackmounts. Not sure if you'd want to run both cabs parallel with the Crown in bridged mono although it is feasible. I'd opt for a higher-powered unit which gives me the latitude to run each cab off its own channel to compensate for any cab-to-cab imbalance. The good news is the older XLS "00" (fixed 1.4 sensitivity) is very reasonable on the secondhand market as are other brands (Peavey IPR, etc.).

Riis
 

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