Anyone tried the new Crown XLS series amps?

[sfritz]

Very reasonable price, but sounds like some new-fangled power supply, super light weight - wondering if this means performance would be lacking for our purposes and if it really can make it's rated power. Looking at the XLS 1000 or XLS 1500 for a pair of Fi 18's.

[FOH]

The new Crown XLS amps are class D units, AFAIK.

Typically class D amps are extremely efficient, with little or no heat, little size and weight due to reduction in heat sinking etc. They've been around a while, but now they're showing up in more and more offerings..., both high end full range apps, sub apps, and pro amps ie Crest, Crown etc..

I think it's a great idea, however I'd like to see them third party verified for LF roll-off characteristics. I'm also curious about the normal class AB/H XLS line (402, 602, 802, 5000), and their LF characteristics as well. The performance is likely fine, but it'd be nice to see third party verification due to product spec embellishment in some of these value priced pieces.

[sfritz]

Yes, my thoughts exactly. Well, the guy I'm putting the system in for has decided to go with the XLS 1000, so in a few weeks I'll be able to provide at least initial impressions of it's ability to drive two 15's bridged at 4 ohm, fan noise, thermal performance, etc. Really wanted him to go with the XLS 1500 and run the subs 4 ohm stereo or 8 ohm bridged, but budget was an issue. Therefore, ordering the FI's in 2 ohm and we'll see how it does!

[justdhruv]

Do we have a verdict on the Crown XLS 1500. I am in the market for an amp to drive a pair of Ficar 18"ers.

I already own a DIY amp kit from classdaudio.com and it sounds great for my L/R. i have read that the Class D amps are particularly very well suited to Low frequencies.

As mentioned, they run very cool, so no fan. Which is great for an HT application.

[FOH]

It's hard to beat what Berhinger offers with the EP4000,...any reason why you wouldn't go in that direction? It's likely the single most highly vetted amplifier in the diy subwoofer community.

Dynaco, Hafler, Carver, Behringer

[Ile]

XTi series sounds interesting with integrated dsp.
www.crownaudio.com/amp_htm/xti2.htm

[justdhruv]

Actually I was just worried about the fan noise. But then I could put the amp in the other room acting like the infinite baffle.

Anybody try the epx series. It is only slightly more expensive.

[johnvb]

So has anyone used the Crown Class D amps for IBs?

When I built mine, back in '11, went for the Yamaha P3500S amps, as they had a rep for being quiet. They are mounted in a closet, so I don't hear them, no matter what.

Recently I replaced my main L/R speaker's amps for a couple of Crown XLS1500s, set up in mono bridged. No only is the sound quality impressive for a pro amp, the fan in each unit runs VERY quiet. One has to put their ear up to the opening in the rear to hear it. If one could not hide their amp in a closet, I would think this would be the way to go.

The amps are so power efficient that one could just leave it on 24/7, and now worry about any 12v trigger setup.

My daughter and son-in-law just moved into a new house (from a condo), so of course I'm trying to talk him into an IB for the HT system. . Just wonder if the Crown is worthy for IB subwoofers.

[tmh3600]

I am running a new (2021 model) Crown XLS 2002 class D amp with a pair of Fi IB318 V2 ( 4 ohm)  in a manifold and with a Behringer BFD1124P with 1 dB noost at 18 Hz, no complaints whatsoever, runs cool, barely breaking a sweat at concert volumes. Input sensitivity is set to 0.775V to work with my Marantz 9.2 channel receiver. Nice tight, deep bass with this Crown amp. ( rated 650 w/ ch at 4 ohms). Goes lower than my 2 other 18" Stereo Integrity HT18 ported subs in 8 cu ft enclosures with built in 500W plate amps.and lower than my old Hsu VTF3 12" sub too. I am running all these subs in a 16 x 25 living room, maybe I'm a little nuts?

[texast25]

Feb 7, 2022 16:55:04 GMT -7 tmh3600 said:

I am running a new (2021 model) Crown XLS 2002 class D amp with a pair of Fi IB318 V2 ( 4 ohm)  in a manifold and with a Behringer BFD1124P with 1 dB noost at 18 Hz, no complaints whatsoever, runs cool, barely breaking a sweat at concert volumes. Input sensitivity is set to 0.775V to work with my Marantz 9.2 channel receiver.

Reviving a dead horse here...

I'm brand new to this forum, and I plan on getting the exact same amp as you to power two Fi ib318's. I just wanted to know if the built in DSP and eq abilities in this amp are adequate or if one should still purchase an external DSP such as one of the Dayton audios?

[dan77]

I run a Behringer and I have no issues with the built in DSP. It is very configurable and is very effective!