Amp recommendations, Crown LXi 2500 vs Behringer EP4000 ??

[kmid987]

Working on my IB. Right now I'm leaning towards two manifolds of 2 x FI IB318V2 with 4 ohm per manifold. Fan noise isn't really an issue since I'll either mod the fans, or place the amp under the house with the manifolds.

What are current amp recommendations? Also what are your thoughts, pros/cons, etc. regarding above amps? They are roughly the same price on Amazon. I saw a couple of videos on YouTube from Williston Audio where Crown XLi1500 is an overachiever and Behringer iNuke NU6000 is an underachiever for amp ratings. So I suppose I'm leaning toward Crown at the moment.

Thanks!

[ThomasW]

Hi

Lets clarify your question, the title references EP4000 and your question references iNuke NU6000?

Briefly, what does Williston say?

[kmid987]

I am asking for IB amp recommendations. Originally asking about class AB from Crown (LXi2500) & Behringer (EP4000). They are priced similarly, and rated output is similar. But Williston measurements and other internet comments allude to Behringer being generous with their ratings.

I couldn't find any Williston measurements of Behringer EP amps, but he did do a few of the iNuke series. The Williston videos on YouTube show the Crown XLi is rated at 2x450 watts RMS into 4 ohms, but measures at 600+ RMS, 800+ burst (peak??), thus overachieving it's rated specs. By contrast, the Behringer iNuke NU600 is rated at 2x3100 watts RMS into 4 ohms, but measures 2000+ RMS, 2400+ burst, thus underachieving. Note his measurements are at 1KHz.

Also, can anyone comment on low frequency performance & cutoff of class AB vs class D amps? Is one preferred over the other for IB? Should I consider class D, or just stick with class AB?

Thanks!

[ThomasW]

Given the passband where IB subs operate I doubt there's an audible difference between either of those amps.

As a 'rule of thumb" amps with the greatest number of output devices and the largest power supplies tend to sound better. This is true regardless of topology

[underthebottom]

Advice I read ages ago: (before class D) 
Faced with a choice between two amplifiers of the same price and power - buy the heavier one.  It has more stuff in it. 

[bighairybloke]

I have 2 EP4000 (identical to the EP2500), both failed after 10 years of use in a dusty attic, so can’t complain. One was due to fan failure and subsequent overheating. It is recommended to ditch the original 24v fan for a high cfm mains powered one. So I will do this for both amps.
the other amp I have not yet determined what caused the failure, other than a blown bridge rectifier, I have yet to dig any deeper.
will update when I have more info.
these two amps drive 8 x fi ib18 in 4 manifolds. The receiver in the cinema has 2 sub outputs, each drives a ep4000 with the inputs paralleled.

bu the way the ep4000 is 3kg heavier than the crown 

[kmid987]

Yes, I see the Behringer is heavier than the Crown . I also saw the Crown LXi 3500, but it is 50% more at around $775. For now I'll probably use a spare Sunfire Stereo amp. No fans and outputs 2x300 watts into 8ohms, 2x600 into 4, 2x1200 into 2, and 2x2400 into 1 ohm!

[shame302]

Aug 3, 2021 14:13:51 GMT -7 bighairybloke said:

I have 2 EP4000 (identical to the EP2500), both failed after 10 years of use in a dusty attic, so can’t complain. One was due to fan failure and subsequent overheating. It is recommended to ditch the original 24v fan for a high cfm mains powered one. So I will do this for both amps.
the other amp I have not yet determined what caused the failure, other than a blown bridge rectifier, I have yet to dig any deeper.
will update when I have more info.
these two amps drive 8 x fi ib18 in 4 manifolds. The receiver in the cinema has 2 sub outputs, each drives a ep4000 with the inputs paralleled.

bu the way the ep4000 is 3kg heavier than the crown 

So how is it? I currently have 4 15" tempest drivers in two manifolds (two drivers each). I'm looking to upgrade.