I'm looking for a bit of a second opinion on a good pro amp to power subs with. I also lurk on the AVS site, and the Behringer iNukes are pretty much the default recommendation over there. But any time I see just one option being recommended as THE option, it either makes me think its really, really good - or else there's a current flavor of the day and that's it. I'm not 100% sure what this situation is.
I'll be powering two 18" drivers in 4cuft sealed enclosures. The drivers are rated for 600 watts RMS, but can be pushed to 1,000 watts in these enclosures before they approach xMax. Link To Drivers
I'm considering two options:
1) inuke3000 dsp. The specs are horribly inflated on it's promotional material, but it's been tested to output 1,000 watts @ 2 ohms in stereo. It's a Class D amp, so it's more efficient - and it comes with DSP so I could equalize my sub. Downside is that it has a fan in it that sounds like an airplane taking off, and Behringer quality is suspect. Many overlook this because life as a sub amp is much easier than the life it was intended for - but it's still a concern in my book. One can do a fan mod and change it out for a quieter fan, but then you are messing with the cooling and I'm not sure I want to do that.
2) Go with an older style iron amp. I've been eyeballing this Crown Amp which is priced very aggressively. It can output the 1,000 watts into 8 ohms stereo, and it does have changeable input sensitivity which might eliminate the need for a Clean Box to increase my sub signal from my AVR. Downsides are no DSP, and the fact it's less efficient than a Class D amp. Not sure if efficiency is a big worry in my world or not. If I wanted to equalize the sub, I'd need to buy a miniDSP or something like that since my reciever doesn't do that. (And yes, I ignored the advice from wise people on this forum last fall when I failed to buy an AVR with subwoofer equilization ability such as Audessy. Just putting that out there before someone else does
)
I'm curious on opinions. Would you go with a Class D amp with DSP, knowing it's running hard at 2 ohms? Or would you pay a bit more for the old school amp that is quiet and can provide the same watts @ 8 ohms, but not offer DSP? I'm torn, because I feel like the Crown amp has a better name/quality, and it wouldn't be working as hard ( i think) which might give me more headroom. The opinion on AVS is that the DSP swings the argument in favor of the iNuke.
I looked at plate amps, and love their simplicity and fact I don't need to find a spot to put them in my equipment rack. But they are more expensive solution, and it seems like the pro amps will do everything they can and more.
Thoughts? After watching the crossover discussion on the DIY speaker thread, I know there's a few electronics gearheads out there. I'd appreciate some new perspectives.
I'll be powering two 18" drivers in 4cuft sealed enclosures. The drivers are rated for 600 watts RMS, but can be pushed to 1,000 watts in these enclosures before they approach xMax. Link To Drivers
I'm considering two options:
1) inuke3000 dsp. The specs are horribly inflated on it's promotional material, but it's been tested to output 1,000 watts @ 2 ohms in stereo. It's a Class D amp, so it's more efficient - and it comes with DSP so I could equalize my sub. Downside is that it has a fan in it that sounds like an airplane taking off, and Behringer quality is suspect. Many overlook this because life as a sub amp is much easier than the life it was intended for - but it's still a concern in my book. One can do a fan mod and change it out for a quieter fan, but then you are messing with the cooling and I'm not sure I want to do that.
2) Go with an older style iron amp. I've been eyeballing this Crown Amp which is priced very aggressively. It can output the 1,000 watts into 8 ohms stereo, and it does have changeable input sensitivity which might eliminate the need for a Clean Box to increase my sub signal from my AVR. Downsides are no DSP, and the fact it's less efficient than a Class D amp. Not sure if efficiency is a big worry in my world or not. If I wanted to equalize the sub, I'd need to buy a miniDSP or something like that since my reciever doesn't do that. (And yes, I ignored the advice from wise people on this forum last fall when I failed to buy an AVR with subwoofer equilization ability such as Audessy. Just putting that out there before someone else does
I'm curious on opinions. Would you go with a Class D amp with DSP, knowing it's running hard at 2 ohms? Or would you pay a bit more for the old school amp that is quiet and can provide the same watts @ 8 ohms, but not offer DSP? I'm torn, because I feel like the Crown amp has a better name/quality, and it wouldn't be working as hard ( i think) which might give me more headroom. The opinion on AVS is that the DSP swings the argument in favor of the iNuke.
I looked at plate amps, and love their simplicity and fact I don't need to find a spot to put them in my equipment rack. But they are more expensive solution, and it seems like the pro amps will do everything they can and more.
Thoughts? After watching the crossover discussion on the DIY speaker thread, I know there's a few electronics gearheads out there. I'd appreciate some new perspectives.
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