Bridging XTi 2 series amp at 2 ohm?

Jordan Lahr

Junior
Aug 10, 2011
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Sioux falls, SD
I was thinking about getting an XTi 2 series such as an XTi 2002 to run three subs rated 750w a peice at 8 ohms (my calcs bring the three subs daisy chained down to 2 ohm if i got that right). My question are the amps capable of handling this? or should I look at getting a larger amp and running two channels? I'd love to add another sub or just use two different but I'm trying to work with what I've got for a gig up around sept 21st.
 
Re: Bridging XTi 2 series amp at 2 ohm?

Not knowing what you're trying to do but in any event I'd look for a bigger amp(s). Running THREE subs is where it gets tricky to do efficiently. Either two amps and have one channel idle or three amps and that's even more money.

How about more details on what you're trying to do and what other gear is involved?
 
I've got a wedding reception gig and am running two know srx 215, one per side. I'm needing some low end from some mackie pa sw180s and was planingon center lining them so the extend from left to right, think wall of subs layout. The group is a coverband ranging from Taylor swift to ceelo green.

My tops are powered by a qsc gx5 and processing done from an older Sony dsp that provides 6 outs with crossover and eq handled.
 
Re: Bridging XTi 2 series amp at 2 ohm?

I was thinking about getting an XTi 2 series such as an XTi 2002 to run three subs rated 750w a peice at 8 ohms (my calcs bring the three subs daisy chained down to 2 ohm if i got that right). My question are the amps capable of handling this? or should I look at getting a larger amp and running two channels? I'd love to add another sub or just use two different but I'm trying to work with what I've got for a gig up around sept 21st.

3 8Ω speakers in parallel make 2.67Ω: 1/(1/8+1/8+1/8)=2.66667. Very few amps can be bridged safely into less than 4Ω. You're better off running 2 on one side of the amp and 1 off the other side - otherwise you're going to be fighting the amp going into self-protect mode and shutting down all the time. Also, the XTI 2002 is a pretty small amp for subs - I'd find with something larger, even if you have to go used.
 
Problem is anything larger is pushing me above the 1k mark. The 2002 provides the power I need and a price I can manage. I've checked the specs for the subs and while they have a peak at 2k watts recommended is 750 and any more than that I hear over extension from the cones.
 
Re: Bridging XTi 2 series amp at 2 ohm?

Over-excursion is usually caused by having your high-pass filter set too low, not minimal "overpowering".

For $1000, I would rather have a Behringer DCX2496 DSP and a used QSC RMX 4050, PLX3602, or some other more capable amp than the XTI2002.

What speakers are you driving? According to the Crown website, the XTI 2002 is rated at 475watts 8 ohms, 800 watts 4 ohms. Your only safe way to power your 3 subs on this amp is two on one channel, and one on the other, which means each of the two subs on the one channel would receive 400 watts (800 watts@4Ω/2), and the sub on the other channel would get 475. You're not anywhere close to the recommended power levels for your subs.
 
Any other options then? Id like to stay under 1000 as this 7s going to be a personal purchase and ive got to work for the cash. The reason I was thinking the xti is a budy of mine is going to be purchasing it for his ts and I thought it may be able to rent it from him for that gig until I can get thw money to go with something with more power.


Sent from my GT-P3113 HD
 
Re: Bridging XTi 2 series amp at 2 ohm?

Take a step down in brand recognition, and a step up in power/$ -- I'd look at a Peavey IPR 5000 DSP. That'll give you 890/side at 8, and 1510 per side at 4. Run your center off one side, and your sides off the other to keep it even. Send full-range into the amp and use the amp's low and high pass filters so you don't hurt anything. (or you can save $100 and get the version without the DSP, and do your processing in the Sony... but I'm a big fan of processing in the amps. It gives you a pretty plug-and-play system.)

With the Peavy you'll be slightly less rider-friendly, but it doesn't sound like you do those sorts of gigs anyway.
 
Re: Bridging XTi 2 series amp at 2 ohm?

Unless you want to try out the Behringer iNuke6000DSP(which why not, they seem to be coming around quality wise), for under a thousand I think you have to make the decision between processing and power. I'd recommend the QSC PLX3602 if you have the processing already and think you'll max out at 4 subs.

The old Crown Macrotechs can run safely down to 2 ohms (used to run 6 folded horn 18" subs off a 5002), but they're heavy and don't sound as pretty as the newer QSCs.
 
Re: Bridging XTi 2 series amp at 2 ohm?

Unless you want to try out the Behringer iNuke6000DSP(which why not, they seem to be coming around quality wise), for under a thousand I think you have to make the decision between processing and power. I'd recommend the QSC PLX3602 if you have the processing already and think you'll max out at 4 subs.

The old Crown Macrotechs can run safely down to 2 ohms (used to run 6 folded horn 18" subs off a 5002), but they're heavy and don't sound as pretty as the newer QSCs.
The question is Bridged at 2 ohm not 2 ohms per channel

Not the same thing
 
Re: Bridging XTi 2 series amp at 2 ohm?

Jordan,

I personally would not buy any of the new light weight amps that have been listed here for sub duty, actually I wouldn't use them on monitor duty, Stay away from the xti, Behringer, peavy ipr. The qsc plx would be the best of the light wieghts listed. Get some used amps like a crest vs 1500, or v 1500, qsc 2450, crest ca9. Get 3 used ones, all bridged into 8 ohms, thats around 1500 watts. Macro's are great also, but you can't afford them. If you do get light wieght amps at least start at the crest pro -200 series, then again they are getting pricy.
 
Re: Bridging XTi 2 series amp at 2 ohm?

Don't necessarily need lightweight, I'm young dumb and my back is still good. Any place to source out some of those. I'm in an area where used gear is generally cheapo peavey or mackie junk. or they want new prices for 15 year old gear.
 
Re: Bridging XTi 2 series amp at 2 ohm?

Don't necessarily need lightweight, I'm young dumb and my back is still good. Any place to source out some of those. I'm in an area where used gear is generally cheapo peavey or mackie junk. or they want new prices for 15 year old gear.


I'f I was still young and had a good back I'd still be hauling around all my old crest amps also, lol. ( I'm still stupid... ) Ebay is probably the best place to look, make sure it has ebay buyer protection, make sure you as via a ebay private message to the seller "" Is the product 100% functional"" Get the amp, beat the hell out of it to make sure it works. Of all the amps I listed the crest v 1500, or vs 1500 are great on sub duty, I loved them. I had to sell all mine off just because they did not have the power I needed any more, along with being to heavy. I started with mavkie m1400's 20 years ago on bottom end, tried a crest 1500. Same wattage but the crest blew the mackie away. This light weight class d amp entry level stuff that was listed,,, Sorry, not for me, I'll take my chance on old stuff if i was in your shoes. I think you might also entertain getting one more sub and have 4, then just go out with two amps.
 
Re: Bridging XTi 2 series amp at 2 ohm?

I have not used them, and I 'm pretty sure they can only be bridged into 8 ohms. The cc would be as low as I would go in the crest line. Just so you know, crest is no longer crest, peavy bought crest. The pro 200 series crest as far as I know was still designed by crest people, ca also. Not sure who designed the cc or lower.
 
Re: Bridging XTi 2 series amp at 2 ohm?

Jordan,

I personally would not buy any of the new light weight amps that have been listed here for sub duty, actually I wouldn't use them on monitor duty, Stay away from the xti, Behringer, peavy ipr. The qsc plx would be the best of the light wieghts listed. Get some used amps like a crest vs 1500, or v 1500, qsc 2450, crest ca9. Get 3 used ones, all bridged into 8 ohms, thats around 1500 watts. Macro's are great also, but you can't afford them. If you do get light wieght amps at least start at the crest pro -200 series, then again they are getting pricy.

Have you actually used any of the amps you said "no" to?
 
Re: Bridging XTi 2 series amp at 2 ohm?

I am 100% opposed to bridge mode powering, period. To bridge and run under 4 ohms is stupid, period. Doing so with an XTi is asking far more of the design than it is likely capable of if you expect the amp to have a long life.