HELP! Amplifer vs Speakers... need to check before I blow my roof off!

[RedMistUK]

Ok so i've just bought my first pair of proper speakers. They have a 500W RMS and a 1000W Peak (each). They have 1/4" jacks and speakon inserts and leads. I currently have a (terrible) qtxsound Pro240 amplifier, it says

'max power at 4 ohms - 2x120W'
and
'max power at 8ohms - 2x60W'

the amplifier also has speakon and 1/4" jack inputs for speakers.

Now, i know very little about speaker and amplifier matching, but this is what I think is correct, The amplifier (for the speakers to be pushed to their limit) must be a 2000W amplifier, otherwise it will blow, but also cannot be more otherwise if it is turned up all the way then it will blow the speakers.

I laready tested it out with the amp i have plugging just one speaker in, and it made a loud hum noise, so i turned it straight back off again

Whether this is correct I am not sure, so if somebody could share some light on this I would be very grateful as I would like to get using the speakers as soon as I can! :)

Cheers,

Red Mist

[RedMistUK]

by the way the speakers are the 'intimidation aka 215 mk2'

[Al Poulin]

These speakers (who's quality I seriously question) are rated at 1000 watts PEAK. This means they are 500 watts Program and 250 RMS. I would personally not apply more than 500 watts to each of these speakers. You will not blow the speakers by using an amp that puts out less power than speakers can handle -this is a myth quite simply. Problems can arise however if you use a smaller amplifier and push it into clipping constantly - as into clipping an amplifier can generate higher output than it is rated for. Using a bigger amplifier and running it into clipping can cause even more damage. It comes down to common sense and to watching your clip lights. Also avoiding cheap amps and speakers (with inflated or questionable specs) in the first place would help.

Best of luck,
Al - Party-Time! DJ Services

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

this is what I think is correct, The amplifier (for the speakers to be pushed to their limit) must be a 2000W amplifier, otherwise it will blow, but also cannot be more otherwise if it is turned up all the way then it will blow the speakers.

Neither is true. Amp to speaker power ratio of 2:1 in either direction is OK. The simple rule is if it sounds bad, it is bad. If you hear distortion, turn it down. The only sort to blow speakers are wankers who ignore what their ears are telling them and wait for their nose to do so when they smell the magic smoke.


I laready tested it out with the amp i have plugging just one speaker in, and it made a loud hum noiseThat's your ears telling you that you may have a blown amp. If it does that with nothing plugged in you do have a blown amp.

[windspeed36]

QTX sound is another arm of Skytec who make amplifiers and speakers that can be substituted for fireworks ands special
effects except for the fact that you dont know when it's going to go off.

Those speaker stats probably aren't correct but in anycase you need a amp that can put out 250-500w at X ohms. I day X because you didn't tell us what the resistance is. However me being the good little boy scout that I am i have found that they are 4ohm each. If you want an amp try and find a used QSC GX3 or used Crown XLS1000.

[RedMistUK]

Ok thanks for the help guys. I found that i had actually done nothing wrong, it was the circuit board and was just a coincidence that it went up in smoke...i think...either way the amp was just a cheep one i found to run some basic speakers in my room so no biggy!

Could any of you recommend me an amplifier that would be suitable? I want to spend as little as possible, but obviously dont want to get something sh** that won't last/do the job properly

[windspeed36]

QSC GX3 or the Crown XLS1000 would work for you

[RedMistUK]

So i'm looking at spending around £300 for an amplifier?

[windspeed36]

So i'm looking at spending around £300 for an amplifier?

I guess so...

[RedMistUK]

livid! Normally I would research these things first, but i got offered a good price for the speakers so just bought them quickly...oh silly me...

[unsafe8989]

Your speakers should Have about 44v For program Ratings at 4ohm and IPR 1600 Would give you 46v RMS at 4 ohm so as long as you dobt tickle the DDT you should be good with An IPR 1600 and its only 7lbs!! Great watt to pound to money ratio!