Best budget amp(s) for pair of secondhand 18" subs?

[woodle]

Hi!

First post alert... Apologies for cutting to the chase!

I've bought a pair of secondhand Martin Audio S18+ subs:

https://martin-audio.com/downloads/datasheets/s18+datasheet.pdf

TYPE Compact, vented sub-bass system
FREQUENCY RESPONSE (1) 40Hz-120Hz ± 3dB
-10dB @ 35Hz
DRIVERS 18” (460mm)/4” (100mm) voice coil LF driver
RATED POWER (2) 750W AES, 3000W peak
RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER MA9.6K
SENSITIVITY (3) 102dB (half space)
MAXIMUM SPL (9) 130.5dB continuous, 136.5dB peak (half space)
NOMINAL IMPEDANCE 8 ohms

The rest of my system (HK Audio / db Technologies) is powered so this is my first venture into the world of independent amplification!

I understand the basic principles of ohms, watts and the like, and have been trying to research amps at the budget end of the scale that will do the job.

I know Behringer is still a relatively dirty word in the pro-PA world but here are the options / approximate prices that I've found so far. Bear in mind that the choices / availability are limited as I'm based in Dubai.

Behringer NU3000 (Assume 2 required) @ 1000AED ($270) each
https://www.music-group.com/Categories/Behringer/Power-Amplifiers/Portable-Amplifiers/NU3000/p/P0B1P

Behringer EP4000 (Maybe 2 required?) @ 1500AED ($408) each
https://www.music-group.com/Categories/Behringer/Power-Amplifiers/Portable-Amplifiers/EP4000/p/P0A37

QSC GXD 8 @ 3000AED ($815)
https://www.qsc.com/live-sound/products/power-amplifiers/gxd-series/gxd8/

Behringer NU12000DSP @ 3200AED ($870)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...u12000dsp_ultra_lightweight_high_density.html

My aim is to get the best suited amp(s) for the money. If I understand the basic phsyics well enough then I need a genuine 1500W per channel at 8 ohms, be that bridged or otherwise. Am I correct in saying that a single 3000W bridged amp at 4ohms would also suffice if the speakers were wired in parallel? I'm also concerned that the NU12000DSP will require a high amp electrical circuit which my regular venue will not be able to supply.

All advice much appreciated!

Cheers,

Tim

 

[ICG]

You don't need the power of the iNuke 12000, you don't want to drive the subs at the maximum power limit AT ALL. For a venue you want reliabilty. What controller are you using? The setup is extremely important, set the limiters correctly and aim for 1500W/ch and especally don't forget the lowcut!

If you want to go for Behringer, I'd take the EP4k for a venue, if you move the stuff around a lot and weight is an issue, probably better to use the iNuke.

The QSC is nice but I would not go for an in-amp DSP, it takes off a lot of flexibility and you need another controller anyway since it does not filter for the tops.

 

[woodle]

You don't need the power of the iNuke 12000, you don't want to drive the subs at the maximum power limit AT ALL. For a venue you want reliabilty. What controller are you using? The setup is extremely important, set the limiters correctly and aim for 1500W/ch and especally don't forget the lowcut!

If you want to go for Behringer, I'd take the EP4k for a venue, if you move the stuff around a lot and weight is an issue, probably better to use the iNuke.

The QSC is nice but I would not go for an in-amp DSP, it takes off a lot of flexibility and you need another controller anyway since it does not filter for the tops.

Thanks for the advice. My setup is for a Drum & Bass night I run in a small box shaped club. For FoH, I have 2 x HK L5 115A (1000W 15" Full Range / 137db), 2 x HK L SUB 2000A (1200W 2x12" / 135db) and a backup pair of Behringer 615ds. The club originally had 4 dB Technology 18" subs (and some poorly placed wall speakers) but other promoters have gradually killed them, hence me wanting to invest more in my own low end equipment. The Martin Audios came up on a local equivalent of eBay at a steal so seemed like a no brainer.

So yep, I want to make sure I've got enough amplification to run them at 80-90% capacity, albeit for only 6 hours a month!

Just got back from the shop... They had the INUKE6000 in stock after all, and gave me a 20% discount! 1500W per channel at 8 ohms, and after a quick test, half volume sounds like the ceiling is going to fall in! Job's a goodun.

 

[Eva]

If you live in the US and want to make these subs self-powered (one amp, master/slave) I can recommend high quality stuff with power modules I designed, but note it is more contractor oriented:
SpeakerPower - Home
SP1 Mono Models - SpeakerPower
SP1-2400 2400W/4r 120V-only or SP1-3200 3200W/4r 120-240V

 

[ICG]

Thanks for the advice. My setup is for a Drum & Bass night I run in a small box shaped club. For FoH, I have 2 x HK L5 115A (1000W 15" Full Range / 137db), 2 x HK L SUB 2000A (1200W 2x12" / 135db)

You will not get any more output from the Martin S18+ than from the two HK and you only get a tad bit lower. I would not recommend to mix the subs either since they are tuned differently and you'll get interferences.

The club originally had 4 dB Technology 18" subs (and some poorly placed wall speakers) but other promoters have gradually killed them, hence me wanting to invest more in my own low end equipment.

Why not recone the drivers? Or replace them? If 4dB 18" had been killed off, you can't expect half the number performing any better, no matter what brand (except maybe horns). At first you have to check why they were killed. Too much EQ? No lowcut/too much excursion? Too much power?

The Martin Audios came up on a local equivalent of eBay at a steal so seemed like a no brainer.

At first you have to increase the number but for d&b they are tuned too high anyway, you'd have to change the enclosure or swap them for something better suited.

Just got back from the shop... They had the INUKE6000 in stock after all, and gave me a 20% discount! 1500W per channel at 8 ohms, and after a quick test, half volume sounds like the ceiling is going to fall in! Job's a goodun.

'half the volume' does not refer to the power at all. And to make it worse, the NU12000 only has a peak-limiter, which will not help you in any way. You're looking after the wrong stats and you've bought the wrong amplifier. Two NU3000 and a DCX2496 would have been the same cost wise and much better in regards of flexibility, usability and relyability. Or even better: The DCX, just one NU3000 and 2 more subs.

Why are you asking if you don't care anyway? 🙄

 

[woodle]

Haha! Alrighty then... You're also making a whole load of assumptions, which aren't actually correct. I'm putting my own setup into a small club / bar which has no sound engineer, and other promoters who have abused the existing db subs. They're not mine to protect or indeed replace, and the bar which is owned by the hotel it lives in, cannot secure the funds to make any additions or repairs. I didn't buy a NU12000, I got a NU6000 for around half the price of the combo you mention. As a once a month promoter, rather than venue owner or sound hire specialist, I was looking for the best bang for my buck. I got the subs at around 25% the cost of new, and just wanted to know the best way to amplify them. Ironically you've suggested I get two NU3000, which is exactly what the NU6000 is. You seem to confuse asking for advice, with asking for criticism, but thanks anyway! Byyyyyyeeee! 🙂

 

[ICG]

Ironically? Well, didn't provide much useful information, what do you expect from that as an answer? You expect just advice without reason or explaination. Fine by me. And well, nice you got an amp now, should I mention that you still miss a vital part? I guess that would not be appropriate. Byyyyyeeee! 🙂