Today’s power amplifiers are far lighter and smaller than their predecessors, and they’re now able to generate tremendous audio power from that reduced physical footprint. The primary advancement is efficiency. Greater output efficiency means less heat, and therefore, less weight (reduction and/or elimination of heavy heat sinks), as well as more audio power making it to the loudspeakers.
The most common amplifier topology, by far, is class D (and variations), which uses an on-off switching method for its transistors called Pulse Width Modulation. Because its output devices are either on or off, the efficiency of the amplifier is greatly increased, and this is done without jeopardizing the integrity of the audio waveform by switching positive and negative output transistors on and off many times per waveform cycle.
The method is analog but similar in theory to digital sampling where a 44.1 kHz sampling rate is used to accurately capture a 20 kHz signal. This rapid switching creates a square wave that is then low-pass filtered to recreate the audio waveform.
The addition of ever-advancing DSP into the package is a further enhancement, offering convenience, space and cost savings, operating efficiencies, performance advantages, and more. Many modern amplifiers also benefit from networked control protocols, making them easier than ever to configure and monitor.
These developments have been particularly beneficial to large-scale tours, permitting added consistency around the world. Touring engineers can specify a particular loudspeaker configuration that will have predictable results on every continent. Further, “universal racks” can be deployed with different models of loudspeaker inventory by simply recalling the correct preset.
Amplifiers with multiple channels (generally defined as more than two) are now quite common. Again, credit the advent of switching power supplies in class D output topologies, with the weight, size, and dollar-per-watt ratio of multichannel amps dropping dramatically. Further savings can result from less rack space used, thus less racks needed, and for mobile use, less truck space occupied as well as faster load-ins and load-outs.
A significant trend of late is select manufacturers incorporating cloud- and IoT-based technologies in their amplifiers, as well as energy-efficient “smart” power and IT integration capabilities. Yet another step forward are increasingly sophisticated apps offering remote control and more.
Enjoy this Real World Gear look at the latest in modern power amplifiers for a range of sound reinforcement applications.
Enhanced Listing
LEA Professional Connect Series
leaprofessional.com
The Connect Series of IoT-enabled power amplifiers are very well suited for a wide range of installation applications. These two, four, and eight-channel amps feature direct Hi-Z (70 and 100-volt, rms) or Lo-Z, and it’s selectable by channel.
With three ways to connect, users can engage the built-in Wi-Fi access point, connect to the venue’s Wi-Fi, or use the FAST Ethernet to connect to any local area network via Cat-5/Cat-6 cable.
Then there’s the Cloud. The Connect Series is the first professional amplifier family to feature Cloud connectivity, allowing users to harness the power of the Cloud for remote control, monitoring, notifications, and more from any of their personal devices. Just connect the amps to a network and start commanding your systems.
The largest models, the Connect Series 1504 and 1504D (Dante) deliver 1,500 watts per channel into 2, 4, and 8 ohms as well as 70 and 100 volts in a design for larger installations. The Dante version includes both 96 kHz-capable Dante and AES67 connectivity options. Both models are outfitted with DSP with 96 kHz linear phase FIR crossover filters, acoustically transparent look ahead RMS and peak limiters, 32-bit floating-point DSP with built-in sample rate converters, and two Smart Power Bridge channels.
Technology Focus: The SharkWare software application is designed to allow integrators to work both in offline and online mode on systems amplification configuration to help ensure a more seamless user experience with Connect Series amplifiers. Free to download and available for both Windows and Mac, SharkWare provides features such as amplifier grouping, granular user access control levels, locked speaker tunings, and a graphical EQ. In addition, the software allows users to view and adjust channel settings such as input settings, signal generator, crossover, equalizer, limiter, and load monitoring.
Of Note: Connect Series amplifiers have EN54-16 voice alarm certification, meaning that they are tested and approved for use in life safety and voice evacuation systems, confirming compliance with the strictest local standards. Compliant amplifiers include 352, 354, 702, 704 Network models as well as the 352D, 354D, 702D, and 704D Dante models.
Key Specifications, 1504/1504D
Type: Class D
Channels: 4
Output Power (per channel): 1500 watts @ 2, 4 and 8 ohms and at 70/100 volts; Proprietary Smart Power Bridge Technology allows bridged output functionality
Inputs: 4 balanced inputs with user-selectable 26 dB and 34 dB input sensitivity
Size: 2RU
Weight: 29 pounds
DSP: Yes
Networking: Yes
Go Here To Find Out More About The LEA Professional Connect Series
Standard Listings
Powersoft X8
powersoft.com
Type: Class D
Channels: 8
Output Power (per channel): 5200 watts @ 2 ohms; 3000 watts @ 4 ohms; 1600 @ 8 ohms
Bridge Mono: 10400 watts @ 4 ohms
Outputs: Neutrik speakON (NL4MD)
Size: 2RU
Weight: 52.9 pounds
Models In Series: 2 (4-channel X4)
DSP: Yes
Networking: Yes
Type: Class D
Channels: 4
Output Power (per channel): 5200 watts @ 2 ohms; 5000 watts @ 4 ohms; 2500 watts @ 8 ohms
Bridge Mono: N/A
Outputs: Neutrik NL4
Size: 2RU
Weight: 40.4 pounds
Models In Series: 2 (TGX10)
DSP: Yes
Networking: OMNEO/Dante network
Linea Research 44 Series M20
linea-research.co.uk
Type: Class D
Channels: 4
Output Power (per channel): 5000 watts @ 2 ohms; 3000 @ 4 ohms; 1500 watts @ 8 ohms
Bridge Mono: 10000 watts @ 4 ohms
Outputs: Neutrik speakON
Size: 2RU
Weight: 27.5 pounds
Models In Series: 3 (all 4 channels)
DSP: Yes
Networking: Ethernet network
Lab Gruppen FP 10000Q
labgruppen.com
Type: Class TD
Channels: 4
Output Power (per channel): 2500 watts @ 2 ohms; 2100 watts @ 4 ohms; 1300 watts @ 8 ohms
Outputs: Neutrik speakON
Size: 2RU
Weight: 26.4 pounds
Models In Series: 2 (FP 14000, FP7000)
DSP: Yes
Networking: NomadLink Network
QSC Audio PowerLight PL380
qsc.com
Type: Class D
Channels: 2
Output Power (per channel): 4000 watts @ 2 ohms; 2500 watts @ 4 ohms; 1500 watts @ 8 ohms
Bridge Mode: 8000 @ 4 ohms
Outputs: Neutrik speakON, binding posts
Size: 2RU
Weight: 24 pounds
DSP: No (includes onboard protection against over-current, over-temperature and clipping)
Networking: Q-SYS networked platform
Crown Audio I-Tech 4x3500HD
crownaudio.com
Type: Class I
Channels: 4
Output Power (per channel): 3500 watts @ 2 ohms; 4000 watts @ 4 ohms, 2100 watts @ 8 ohms
Bridge Mono: 6000 watts @ 4 ohms
Outputs: Neutrik speakON, binding posts
Size: 2RU
Weight: 29 pounds
Models In Series: 4 (2-channel I-Tech 5000HD, 9000HD & 12000HD)
DSP: Yes (OMNIDrive)
Networking: Yes
Ashly Audio nXp 3.04
ashly.com
Type: Class D
Channels: 4
Output Power (per channel): 3000 watts @ 2 ohms; 2000 watts @ 4 ohms; 1250 watts @ 8 ohms
Bridge Mono: 6000 watts @ 4 ohms
Outputs: Neutrik speakON, balanced Euroblock (aux)
Size: 2RU
Weight: 28 pounds
Models In Series: 4 (2- and 4-channel versions)
DSP: Yes
Networking: Yes
Crest Audio Pro-LITE 7.5 DSP
peaveycommercialaudio.com
Type: Class D
Channels: 2
Output Power (per channel): 3790 @ 2 ohms; 2450 watts @ 4 ohms; 1425 watts @ 8 ohms
Bridge Mono: 2800 watts @ 4 ohms
Outputs: Neutrik speakON
Size: 2RU
Weight: 14.6 pounds
Models In Series: 4 (non-DSP versions also available)
DSP: Yes
Networking: Yes
MC² Delta DSP100
mc2-audio.co.uk, g1limited.com
Type: Class D
Channels: 4
Output Power (per channel): 3500 watts @ 2 ohms; 2700 watts @ 4 ohms; 1400 watts @ 8 ohms
Bridge Mono: 7000 watts @ 4 ohms
Outputs: Neutrik speakON
Size: 2RU
Weight: 24 pounds
Models In Series: 3 (Delta DSP80 and DSP40)
DSP: Yes
Networking: Yes
