QSC MX3000a POWER AMPLIFIER VS. CROWN REFERENCE I STUDIO POWER AMPLIFIER

[BRANDONH]

QSC MX3000a POWER AMPLIFIER VS. CROWN REFERENCE I STUDIO POWER AMPLIFIER
I am planning on purchasing the QSC MX3000a Amp http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...Number=245-630
but I am at a toss up between it and the Crown Studio Reference I.
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=245-450
I know the Crown is more expensive but is it that much better than the QSC?
Has anyone reviewed these amps and what were your thoughts between the two?

[pelly3s]

depends on what you plan on doing with it. they are both designed for different purposes in mind. personally hands down in a home or studio enviroment the crown will destroy the QSC. if you are looking for a PA amp then the QSC would win out of the two. I've heard them both and I am a dealer for both companies. The MX stuff is on the lower end of the scale for QSC. They have better products in a better price point like the PL-230. Crown also has a better amp in a better price point too. It may not spec the same as the Reference 1 (not much in the world can) but the Crown K2 is a great amp. I have installed them in everything from clubs to homes to touring pa's. The best part is it's convection cooled so no fan noise. It's not as much power either but you will fall in love with it. It was the first PA amp to be reviewed by home audio magazines and it got great reviews. if you have other question i'll gladly answer them.

[BRANDONH]

I will be using it for home audio.
I just could not find any reviews on the MX3000a but it had the power rating I was looking for and lower price.
I have custom made pro sound speakers and I want more head room than I have now.
I am using a ATI AT15004 bridged to 450 watts per channel and It does a good job but my speakers are large and power hungry. I went to Crown and read up on the K-2 but it is only 50 watts per channel more than I have now. You have helped me to confirm that the Crown Reference I is the way I should go. I have read many reviews on the Reference One and all but one were good. (one guy said that is should be used in the stuidio only and not home) and some stated that it was a bit bright sounding but tamed down after burn in and the fan was somewhat noisy but did not come on until it was under heavy a load. And they said that it requires a special wall plug with seperate 30amp wiring and not to use the adapter it comes with.
I have a very discriminating ear so I will have to save up more money and go with the reference series after all.
Thanks for your help if you have anything to add please do.
Have a great weekend.

p.s. Considering the ATI amp I already have and since the MX3000a is THX certified would it be better than what I have now or should I just forget about the MX altogether?
Brandon

[pelly3s]

forget the MX in general. Another option out there is the Crown I-tech 4000 which is 2000 watts a side in 4 ohm stereo. It sounds great too. I got the pleasure of trying one out. What drivers do your speakers have and is biamping an option. I don't see why a K2 won't be enough power I run 2 18" JBL's NDYM subs off of one and I never have a power issue. Hell for the price of the Reference 1 you can get two K2's and run each in bridge mono for 2500 watts at 4 ohms.

[BRANDONH]

I just had new custom pro sound passive crossovers made so biamping is not an option.
Crossovers by Vertek/Xtc http://www.vertekxtc.com/
I am running per channel 1 x 15' Dayton pro with 4" voice coil as woofer
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...=295-080&DID=7
1 x 15" Fane axiom AX.15.300B 300W 40Hz-6.5kHz 100dB Ferrite 84oz. 3" voice coil guitar speaker as a midrange: http://www.fane-acoustics.com/public...ducts2/ax1.htm
and 1 SELENIUM D210TI 1" TITANIUM COMPRESSION DRIVER as tweeter mounted in 14" x 7" horn lens http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...=264-235&DID=7
I think that running 2 of the Crown K series amps bridged mono is a GREAT IDEA.
If you think I can go with two of the K-1 amps bridged mono 8 ohms @ 1,100W then that is the way I'll go, and I'll still have plenty of power and save a great deal of money.
You have been most helpful Plly3s and your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Kindest regrads
Brandon

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

Brandonh,

I would be EXTREMLY reticent about using pro amps in a home environment. These amps(which sounds pretty good in clubs, open venues, and in mixing studios) does not have the same imaging capabilities, low noise floor, ability to reveal detail as amps for home use. If you are looking for nothing more than power, then this may be the way to go. If you are looking for power with finesse, look into Cinepro, or used Cal audio labs amps. I have used both at my studio and my hometheater at home, and I assure you they have all the power you need, with the finesse of a audiophile grade product.