Author Topic: Crown Vs. QSC? (Read 208 times)

alembic_hawaii · « **on:** October 17, 2006, 05:54:33 PM »

Dear Alembic lovers,
Can you help me make my final decision? I own an Excel and will be ordering the Alembic of my dreams soon Right now I am just ordering new equipment. I am down to a new power amp and some speakers.
Should I go with Crown K-2 or QSC PLX3102?
I know there are better but these are nice and I can charge on my Musiciansfriend. I will be driving them with my F-1X and Sf-2.
Also do you have preference over speakers, Epifani or Aguilar?
I'm open to suggestions!

Mahalo, Paul

crgaston · « **Reply #1 on:** October 17, 2006, 06:06:45 PM »

Hi Paul!

Lots of us use the QSC PLX amps with our F-1X and SF-2, but I haven't seen anyone with a K2. The K2 is a good bit heavier, and it may not fit in a smaller rack very well, but my sound engineer friends absoloutely adore the way they slam the low end. Plus the colors will match you Alembic stuff. I say go for the K2 and tell us how it sounds!

Have you read THIS POST ?

Welcome aboard!
Charles

2400wattman · « **Reply #2 on:** October 17, 2006, 06:07:09 PM »

I use a K-2 and the benefit besides the high power is that you can plug it into your rack strip and not blow the breaker on the strip. I run both sides of the amp into an SVT 8x10(dual mode cab, each 4x10's are 8ohm's) and have no problems. If weight is an issue go for the QSC, it seems to be a very popular choice among club members.

bsee · « **Reply #3 on:** October 17, 2006, 06:29:17 PM »

Welcome, Paul-

That's a ton of power. Are you planning to play the local enormo-dome?

From what I read, the two most appreciated bass power amps are the Crest CA9 for those that don't care about weight and the Stewart World 2.1 for those that do. I believe the Crest line is available in more powerful versions if needed, but that's where Stewart tops out. In spite of that, I am leaning toward a QSC 2402 or 2502.

For me, weight matters. At least enough that I don't want to carry the Crest. The Stewart, unfortunately, only comes with banana plugs in the US. If I want easy Speakon connections, that leaves QSC or Crown's new XTI series. The XTI is a bit too complicated and unproven, so QSC it is.

Looking at the PLX line, the 2402/2502 is the first model where they use 2-tier class H for output. It uses less power than the 1602/1802 models which are AB output. It also generates less heat. Since it is the first model in the class H series, I suspect it is the most overbuilt as it probably shares a lot of parts with the bigger brothers.

That all said, if you want the extra power, the 3102 is still only the middle of the three, so it should also be overbuilt, if only a bit less so.

For speaker recommendations, you'll have to tell us a little bit more about what sort of music you play and what kind of tone you're looking for.

-Bob

crgaston · « **Reply #4 on:** October 17, 2006, 07:35:14 PM »

Bob, there's at least one more alternative to what you're looking for... HERE.

dannobasso · « **Reply #5 on:** October 17, 2006, 08:41:07 PM »

The crests I had in the past had more punch (LA and FA series) but they were really heavy. I have 5 PLX amps 2 3402's for bass rigs and 3402, 3002 and 2402 for my PA. (all jbl cabs) I really like them and use Epifani cabinets for bass. I love the UL series. Really light and great sound. I'm using ul212, t310, t115. I also have Acme B2 and B4 cabs. But you need to try out a lot of gear to see what makes you happy. Godd luck hunting down your beast!

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #6 on:** October 17, 2006, 10:15:48 PM »

First, allow me a quick introduction - I am a graduate student in history, a laid-off truckdriver, and, more to the point, a former professional soundman (as well as The World's Worst Guitar Player). I've been reading these boards for while just for sh*ts and giggles, and to learn from all you folks (but mostly because I love, even if I can't afford or play, great guitars and basses), and have almost registered several times just to chime in on these recurring amp discussions. Tonight I could hold my tongue no more, so, for what it's worth....in my soundman days I used Crown, Crest QSC, BGW, Peavy, Traynor, and probably a few others whose names have fallen victim to my misspent youth. Use what works for you, of course, but the only power amp I would spend my own money on is Yamaha. Not only do they have the best sound I've heard (that is, they have no sound - what you put in is exactly what comes out, uncolored and undistorted, just a LOT louder), but they are the ONLY brand that never let me down mid-gig. These things are freakin' bulletproof. Yeah, they're heavy, but hey, that what us roadies are for, right? Ok, sorry for the interruption, I'll be quiet now.......

bsee · « **Reply #7 on:** October 17, 2006, 10:26:26 PM »

Thanks, CG, not familiar with that line. The specs don't make sense, though. The power specs they list for 8 ohm bridged are what I would expect for 4 ohm bridged based on the stereo specs. They list 2 ohm per side stereo, but not 4 ohm bridged at all. Strange. Wait a sec...The specs are more logical in the PDF, just different than what they post on the product page.

I don't think you can go wrong with the PLX series.

By the way, the Crown K-series is passively cooled. No fans at all to move air, so you probably need to be careful how you rack them up in terms of space.

keith_h · « **Reply #8 on:** October 18, 2006, 04:29:30 AM »

Like others on this board I use QSC PLX series amps. I have a PLX3002, PLX2402 and PLX1602 used for my rig and PA. For my rig weight was a factor. By the time I added everything to the rack it saving 20 lbs was important.

Keith

811952 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 18, 2006, 05:55:12 AM »

My band uses the K-2s on our PA. They sound great and aren't heavier than on would expect. They do definitely need a fan on them if they are being pushed.

John

David Houck · « **Reply #10 on:** October 28, 2006, 12:02:35 PM »

Paul and Peter; welcome to the board!