matching subs/main/pwr amp
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Posted on Mar 19, 2009 03:00 pm
Trip
cunning linguist
Member Since: Mar 19, 2009
Hi guys. Just joined the group so let's get going.
I'm looking to get some subs for our PA setup but I'm confused. The subs I'm looking at (Harbinger HX118S 18" Passive Subwoofer)low end I know but all I can afford, lists these specs:
# Power Handling (RMS): 400 Watts
# Power Handling (Peak Sine): 800 Watts
# Power Handling (Peak Program): 1600 Watts.
The question is, which of these specs do I go by when trying to match with a power amp?
My mains are Peavy PR15 which lists as 400w Program at 8 ohms.
Punk band small-mid rooms.
The mains are running through a Behringer Europower 2000 powered mixer rated at 180w @8 ohms stereo, 500w @8 ohms bridged.
Given this info, what do you request when buying my subs and crossover? Do you think my powered mixer is sufficient for my needs?
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Tripcunning linguistMember
Since: Mar 19, 2009
Mar 19, 2009 04:50 pm Ok. Belatedly, I did what I should have done first. Search for other posts of the same ilk.
I found the explanation for the:
# Power Handling (RMS): 400 Watts
# Power Handling (Peak Sine): 800 Watts
# Power Handling (Peak Program): 1600 watts problem, now just wonder what your ideas are for my specific setup. thx.
Mar 19, 2009 06:57 pm I hate telling anyone that they need to spend more money. But, yeah.... You are going to need another amp and a crossover.
If you can find an analogue crossover on ebay, something like a Rane AC30, That should meet the requirements for setting the crossover point. I'll have to look at what you top boxes are set to. But,I have a feeling that it's going to be around 125 hz.
For the amp. Your going to what something that can recover quickly. Being that subs take a lot of energy to move. And will rob your amp of all of it's power at one shot.
I'll look around on ebay for you. But, I think that either Crown, or QSC would do good for your subs.
Let me see what I can come up with. And I'll get back to you.
Mar 19, 2009 07:11 pm This Crown amp may kill two birds with one stone.
cgi.ebay.com/Crown-XTi-20...1QQcmdZViewItem
It has built in DSP. So, built in digital crossover. The price looks high, but it really isn't. Take a look, see what you think of it.
Tripcunning linguistMember
Since: Mar 19, 2009
Mar 19, 2009 07:20 pm Thanks Rob. I don't mind spending more money but I just can't spend it all in one place if you know what I mean.
I've got my eyes on the Crown xls 802d amp for the subs.
As far as the top boxes go, I got them used so there's no paper work on them. Nothing printed on the boxes either as far as 125 hz or not.
As for the powered mixer I own, is that going to be enough to run the mains?
Mar 19, 2009 07:53 pm It's a little light. But, it should get you through for now.
And for the crossover settings, you do want a little overlap. I'll see what the spec's are.
Tripcunning linguistMember
Since: Mar 19, 2009
Mar 19, 2009 08:07 pm "It's a little light".
Yeah, that's what I thought. I'm seriously considering going with an outboard power amp for the mains. I have a 12 channel mixer already so I don't really need the mixer on the powered unit.
Crossover suggestions?
Tripcunning linguistMember
Since: Mar 19, 2009
Mar 19, 2009 08:37 pm Very nice. Thanks tons Rob.
i kinda jumped into this community without any real intro, so I'll take this time to start over.
I'm 51 years old from Detroit and no, I don't play in the punk band. My 2 sons do. (Drummer @ guitarist)
When they first started playing they rehearsed at my son's house..main floor bedroom (no basement) singing through stacked 15w guitar amps with mics hanging from hooks in the ceiling. It was actually pretty comical to watch but excruciating to listen to.
I had to step in. So now they're in my basement with real mic stands and a half assed PA.
I was guitarist/singer in a couple of bands for the better part of my life but never even approached a mixing board or power amp except for lugging them in and out of various places.
So, I kinda tossed myself in the mix of my son's band and took a seat FOH so they could concentrate on the more important things. (Is this what they call living vicariously?)
Hope I'm not out of line posting this here but I just wanted to say hello to all the members the right way. ( heh heh I said "members".)
BTW. This is by far the best most friendly place I have seen online for true help without people bustin' each others cajones for not knowing as much as they do.
So hello everyone. You'll see me here a lot considering I really didn't know squat about the technical side. But I'm a fast learner as long as I take my Ginkgo Biloba (if I remember to).
Cheers.
How's that for long winded?
Tripcunning linguistMember
Since: Mar 19, 2009
Mar 19, 2009 08:46 pm BTW, that Rane crossover IS a great deal. I haven't seen it anywhere for less than $300.(new)
I found a Behringer SUPER-X PRO CX2310 at guitar center for 80 bucks but the Rane looks like a better deal.
Mar 19, 2009 08:50 pm Oh, that's short for most:) But, welcome to the HRC.
One of the reasons that a lot of people come to the HRC is the fact that everyone here is friendly and knowledgeable.
Any help that you need in get started, we are all here to help. But, as you see, it's not just live sound. The collective recording experience here is outstanding. If you wish to start recording your sons as well, these guys are the tops.
And there are a lot of live sound engineers as well. One who tours with some of the top acts of today. I'm sure he will stop by here soon. Anything that you need to know about sound, Monmixr can certainly help.
I myself have been around for a number of years. And like yourself, I worked my way up through the world of sound engineering. And now I work for one of the largest companies is Philadelphia.
See, Your not the only one that can get long winded:)
But, I wouldn't call your system half assed. Everyone had to start somewhere. And your starting out with more then most.
Tripcunning linguistMember
Since: Mar 19, 2009
Mar 19, 2009 08:55 pm Rob.......is this Heaven?
Mar 19, 2009 08:59 pm Well what did you think the "H" stood for in HRC? Duh! :P
Hee hee. I think it's the closest you can get in the world of sound engineering on the web.
monmixrIf 50hz 60 will kill ya.Member
Since: Jan 08, 2009
Mar 20, 2009 04:52 am OR perhaps go mono subs, get a crown XTi 1000 instead (about the same price) and it will do 1400 bridged into 4 which is plenty of headroom for your 400 watt drivers. the Crown xls 802d wont do 4 ohms bridged and youll run out of headroom real quick going 8 stereo, especially on subs. The perfect amp is prolly the XTi2000 as Rob said, for the extra hundred bucks or so youll be buying an amp what will still be able to drive your subs if you later want to get something a little beefier. The trick to buying gear is plan ahead. If you can look a short way into the future, you can save yourself a ton of money and trouble.
monmixrIf 50hz 60 will kill ya.Member
Since: Jan 08, 2009
Mar 20, 2009 04:55 am Oh and that behringer crossover is good for cracking walnuts, but I wouldnt use it for much else. they do make some decent gear but eqs and crossovers arnt 2 areas they are strong in. As my friend Rob stated, go with the rane or a nice little dbx 2 banger.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 20, 2009 10:35 pm Hey welcome Trip.
Now we have Tripps and Trip.
Indeed, you have met our esteemed OFH and backline guys. These two have got it going on for anything live gear related, and then some.
Tripcunning linguistMember
Since: Mar 19, 2009
Mar 21, 2009 01:36 am Thanks for the greeting, Noize.
I think we're going with the Crown XTI 1000 amp over the XLS 802D amp and the dbx 223XL crossover instead of the Behringer.
Any other suggestions are most certainly welcome.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 21, 2009 02:31 pm By the way. The avatar you have there is rockin.
Tripcunning linguistMember
Since: Mar 19, 2009
Mar 21, 2009 06:49 pm Danke.
Mar 21, 2009 07:20 pm bitte
