amp reconfirgure mode - what to do...

Shane Presley

Shane Presley

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Jan 12, 2011
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Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.bssproductions.com
So I'm currently in the middle of a big amp swap and I would like some advise. I THINK I know what I'm going to do, but as always I'd like to confirm it with some professional opinion here....
Here's the skinny...
I am powering 6 KF730 per side, and 4 SB1000z per side. I have a couple options. Some of the options allow me to re-coup more on my investment, but I don't want to compromise performance etc...
option 1.
2 - PLX 3402 bridge mono on the high band, 1 lab gruppen 10000q for the lows, 2 x PL380 for subs

option 2
10000q only for tops, 2 PL 380's on subs

option 3
2 - PL 380 in stereo for 6 tops, and 1 x 10000q on subs

basically what I'm getting at is , will one 10000q run a whole side of the pa, or am I asking too much of that amp, therefore keep something to run the high band, and let the fp run lows....ugh...

I read that the solar powered version of the warpped tour ran the whole rig with 2 10000qs, was anybody near that rig to see the results.... ?

I have to say I'd be a little worried about running the whole tops section of my pa with one amp, without any redundacy... any lab owners out there that can comment?
thanks
SP
 
Re: amp reconfirgure mode - what to do...

I've done several installs using FP10000Q for 4-way systems, no issues to report about. Both as multi-way amps and sub only. I have a rack with FP6000Qs that I use as a utility-rack (subs, mons, whatever) never had an issue with them either.
 
Re: amp reconfirgure mode - what to do...

Helge Dr. Bentsen said:
I've done several installs using FP10000Q for 4-way systems, no issues to report about. Both as multi-way amps and sub only. I have a rack with FP6000Qs that I use as a utility-rack (subs, mons, whatever) never had an issue with them either.
Click to expand...


Thanks Helge... in your opinion, is the 10000q better suited for mid/high duty, or subs, or it doens't matter...

I watched a youtube vid that a 10000q was running subs, and it was pretty pounding.

I've been reading while researching that channels one and two are more powerful that 3 + 4, is there any truth to that ? If i find that again, I'll post the link.

When you say a rack of FP6000qs - how many is in the rack, and what do you normally power with it.
SP
 
Re: amp reconfirgure mode - what to do...

I've never found any difference in performance on FP10000q running them in sub-only or multi-way setups. But I've never done a direct comparison either, someone else might have done that. Also keep in mind that I don't go below 4 ohm unless I really have to or the amp really is capable. 4xSB1000z on a FP10k is no problem IMHO :)

I got two FP6000q in that rack powered off a single 16A/230V socket along with a UX8800. Never popped a breaker.

I tested FP6000Q and FP10000Q with LM26 and PLM14000Q on my SH-50s when I researched amps for them. I ended up with PLM on them because they have sufficient headroom IMHO, on-board processing and better performance below 4 ohms (Handy when you need it). Can't say I noticed any differences in sonic qualities between them.
 
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Re: amp reconfirgure mode - what to do...

Shane Presley said:
I read that the solar powered version of the warpped tour ran the whole rig with 2 10000qs, was anybody near that rig to see the results.... ?
Click to expand...

I specified the gear on that stage way back when. Two fP10000Q did indeed power the FOH system, which consisted of four KF730 and two BH760 per side. Each pair of channels in one fP10000Q ran four lows and four mid/highs, each with a nominal four ohm load. Each pair of channels in the second fP10000Q ran two BH760s at a nominal 4 ohm load.

We went with BH760s on that stage because of their high-ish sensitivity. They gave the most bang for the wattage buck, and watts were in short supply given that the rig was powered from solar panels / a bigass bank of marine batteries.

Regarding using an fP10000Q for sub duties, my understanding (boy is that a loaded phrase) is that their power supply is happiest when only a few channels are tasked with high current demands, i.e. LF/LF/MF/HF or similar. This being said, I have successfully used the 10k for all-sub duties on numerous occasions, but I can definitely get a better sub sound using an fP14000 or similar.
 
Re: amp reconfirgure mode - what to do...

One of the companies I freelance for has a pair of racks with 3x FP10k. They mainly use them as 6x mix bi-amp monitor racks or 1 rack/side driving a Martin W8LM (2x 8") arrays. The FOH config closely resembles what you're doing. They do the top two amps in the rack doing 4 bi-amped circuits down to 4 ohms, the bottom amp drives subs. It usually gets 1x 4ohm sub per amp channel for the amp doing subs, but other times some channels get two cabinets. They've got enough sub specific racks that we've never bothered trying all four sub channels down to 2ohms.

The performance has been great for the ~2 years they've had these racks. They usually carry one multipurpose rack that could replace any one FP10k if it were to fail. I appreciate your concern with the liability of an amp failure causing a show stopping or at least pausing event, but unfortunately I think that's the reality of using a 4ch amp on a medium/small rig. I think it would be a no brainer to keep at least one of your Plx3402's in a small rack as a spare to at least restore partial functionality.

I've never had any issues with these amps, but in our line of work it's a matter of when and not if you have a failure at some point. LG's support is supposed to be some of the best, but that won't help you the night of when the smoke gets out.

thomas d.
 
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Re: amp reconfirgure mode - what to do...

Shane Presley said:
I read that the solar powered version of the warpped tour ran the whole rig with 2 10000qs, was anybody near that rig to see the results.... ?
Click to expand...

What stage did they say it was? As far as I know, there are no stages on this tour running solar power, or FQ10k's for that matter.... I know one stage did for a week and they had to switch to a genny because the solar just wasn't enough. But, that stage has Crest 01 amps running everything...

The Lab Gruppen stuff is rock solid though. I've seen 1 FP6400 die on the whole tour. These amps are subjected to 100+ degree temps, dirt and dust every day. I'd say that's the ultimate test IMO.



Evan
 
Re: amp reconfirgure mode - what to do...

Rich Frembes said:
I specified the gear on that stage way back when. Two fP10000Q did indeed power the FOH system, which consisted of four KF730 and two BH760 per side. Each pair of channels in one fP10000Q ran four lows and four mid/highs, each with a nominal four ohm load. Each pair of channels in the second fP10000Q ran two BH760s at a nominal 4 ohm load.

We went with BH760s on that stage because of their high-ish sensitivity. They gave the most bang for the wattage buck, and watts were in short supply given that the rig was powered from solar panels / a bigass bank of marine batteries.

Regarding using an fP10000Q for sub duties, my understanding (boy is that a loaded phrase) is that their power supply is happiest when only a few channels are tasked with high current demands, i.e. LF/LF/MF/HF or similar. This being said, I have successfully used the 10k for all-sub duties on numerous occasions, but I can definitely get a better sub sound using an fP14000 or similar.
Click to expand...

Okay, so by the sound of things, it would be best to use the labs on mf/hf, considering the kf cabs are 16 ohm, it could conceivably power 8 tops on one fp10000q. but in the same breath we all know I would be a bad idea leaving the whole pa up to one amp, especially if it was a demanding situation. I guess some listening, ramp up tests are in order. 10000q on four tops, and two pl380 on subs, then right side 2 pl380 on 4 tops and fp 10000q on 4 sb1000s

Thanks...
Ps Evan I'll find that link, but its easily found googling lab gruppen 10000q and it shows the two amps, and two ux8800s
 
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