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Crown XLS1500 Power Amp

Hello, I am in the market for a power amp for my new rig and it looks like the Crown XLS1500 fits my needs perfectly. After thoroughly reading through the users manual I cant seem to grasp how to run ONE input (signal from my preamp) to TWO outputs(stereo mode to each of my cabs). I have two 2x15 rated at 4 ohms a piece so I need to run the amp in stereo mode; however, the users manual suggests that two inputs (left and right) are required for stereo mode and one input is required for bridged mode. I do not want bridged mode and I do not have two inputs. Am I missing something?
 
Hello, I am in the market for a power amp for my new rig and it looks like the Crown XLS1500 fits my needs perfectly. After thoroughly reading through the users manual I cant seem to grasp how to run ONE input (signal from my preamp) to TWO outputs(stereo mode to each of my cabs). I have two 2x15 rated at 4 ohms a piece so I need to run the amp in stereo mode; however, the users manual suggests that two inputs (left and right) are required for stereo mode and one input is required for bridged mode. I do not want bridged mode and I do not have two inputs. Am I missing something?

Technically, if I understand your question, this would not be stereo. You want a single input to go out to 2 cabs, right?

It's still a mono signal.

Anyway, if this is correct:

1. Hold the &#8220;Mode/Menu&#8221; button down for 3 sec until the LCD screen displays &#8220;Amp Mode <More>&#8221;.

2. Press the &#8220;Mode/Menu&#8221; button again to begin configuring the Amp Mode.

3. Press the &#8220;Next&#8221; button until the LCD screen reads &#8220;Mode: Input Y&#8221;.

4. Press the &#8220;Mode/Menu&#8221; button to confirm your selection.

It's kinda confusing until you do it. But this takes the single input and feeds it to the 2 outputs.

Hope this helps!
 
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Thank you!! That was exactly what I was looking for. The manual made it sound like with that process, I must choose a high pass or low pass setting. I understand that mono will stay mono, i misused the words stereo mode. One signal to two outputs is better wording. Thanks again
 
one signal to two outputs
is often referred to as a "parallel" amp mode. I have an XLS but don't recall how to do parallel, but swspiers description sounds right. Different power amps offer this config, but my fave is the QSC PLX series, where you set the dip switches on the back of the amp to either: Bridged mono, stereo or parallel. In parallel, you just plug your input into either channel and that single signal is fed independently to each channel, and the level controls for each channel control whatever cabs are attached to that channel.
 
I have a question on this... Presently running Behringer V-Amp Pro into a Crown XLS 1000. How about running the Crown XLS in Input Y mode with only one 4 ohm cab using only one side of the power amp? I run the single signal from a Behringer V-Amp to Ch 1 into the Crown. Two 4 ohm cabs run fine in Input Y mode, one each side. If I unplug one cab, wondering if it would hurt the power amp by running too hot if it doesn't see a load on one side. I remember having an Acoustic 370 bass amp that would blow a fuse if the cab wasn't connected before you turned it on.
 
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I have this same Crown amp. I use it so little that this thread is helpful to me. At home I tried the different settings on the LCD pad with two cabs when I first got this amp last year. Prolly used it 3 times since.

But I just used this rack rig, BBE Bmax pre/XLS1500, into a NeoX 212T and a (8 ohm) NeoX 112T at a gig about 3 weeks ago. I was again trying the different settings to use the two cabs, 4ohm/8ohm at home before the gig. I finally just left it on BRIDGE mode as I use a "banana to speakon" cable with the banana cable using the Bridge inputs on the amp. I daisy chained the two cabs, amp to cab; cab to cab.

I ran it this way all nite at a outdoor gig with a passive P5 bass. Ran great all nite, no prob. But I was told I should only use Bridge mode with either a 2/4 ohm load and not as I did with aprox 2.6 ohm load. Again, it worked fine.
 
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Thank you, warnergt. So I would select the "Input Y" to split my preamp signal to both amps within the Crown, and then select the "bypass" option because I do not want any filtering.

Good idea. The lowest HPF setting is 50 hz which I found to be less-than-usable.

For those who haven't heard, when connected to a bass preamp, use the "Link / Out" 1/4" input jack for your connection, XLR's when connected to a mixer.

Riis
 
Again more good info. I had a short cable that was XLR to 1/4" that I used from Crown to pre. I misplaced it so I now just use a short 1/4" to 1/4" cable I've had. I think I'm using the Link Out gotta open the Gator case back cover and double check.

Any thoughts on my previous reply about using 8ohm/4ohm cabs while in Bridge mode y'all? And yes, could do better than lowest HPF of 50Hz in this Crown.
 
Again more good info. I had a short cable that was XLR to 1/4" that I used from Crown to pre. I misplaced it so I now just use a short 1/4" to 1/4" cable I've had. I think I'm using the Link Out gotta open the Gator case back cover and double check.

Any thoughts on my previous reply about using 8ohm/4ohm cabs while in Bridge mode y'all? And yes, could do better than lowest HPF of 50Hz in this Crown.

I would have no problem running a single 4 ohm enclosure in bridged mono....I'm doing the same with either an Epfani 5.25 ohm 3 X 10 or (2) Acme B-2's daisy-chained. With all due respect, though, bridged mono is really aimed at the wider voltage swings seen in a 8 ohm load. Given the enclosure mentioned, you may want to A/B the single channel vs bridged mono to determine if there's any significant advantage to either. FWIW, I run 4 Drivecores and they never even break a sweat: mains, monitors, subs, bass rig.

Riis
 
Ernie, Bridge mode is rated for 4 ohms minimum load on that amp. It not a good idea to operate into less than that even if it "worked" ok that time. It's not good for the reliabity of the amp.

Also, under those conditions, it's way too much power for either of your cabinets. About 300 watts per driver is maximum unless you have proper limiting and high pass filtering in place (which can be programmed in through the dsp) which would take it to ~450/driver and even then you will need to use some good common sense.
 
I also use the BMax with the xls1500. I've found that the gain setting on the pre has to be pretty high to get a good signal to the amp as it has a 1.4v sensitivity, as opposed to a 1v or .775 as on some others. So I do bridge into one of my 4ohm cabs as it seems to open up some headroom, and I don't have to push the pre so high. I'm very aware of keeping the gain in levels in check for the safety of the cab.
 
OK I'm now running in 'Bypass Input Y' mode on the Crown XLS1000 from the Behringer V-Amp Pro using the Blackface preset (reminds me of a vintage Dual Showman) and either or both 4 ohm Fender Rumble 410 and Aguilar 212 cabs. Seems to be plenty loud enough for my 60's-70's band with either cab for medium sized rooms and larger or outside venues, using both.
 
OK I'm now running in 'Bypass Input Y' mode on the Crown XLS1000 from the Behringer V-Amp Pro using the Blackface preset (reminds me of a vintage Dual Showman) and either or both 4 ohm Fender Rumble 410 and Aguilar 212 cabs. Seems to be plenty loud enough for my 60's-70's band with either cab for medium sized rooms and larger or outside venues, using both.

Excellent! Any thermal issues, clipping, etc? I'll guess not.

Riis