No,
The maximum power line current draw is limited in some of the largest amplifiers you cited to 10.9 amps to avoid blowing the fuse. BS1613 permits outlets to be fused up to 13 amps. The largest common 230-240 volt circuit breaker is 32 amps. This is done with 2.5mm^2 wire. (14 Gauge U.S.) Even that would only support less than 7500 real watts for all four channels.
The amplifier manufacturer also lists a storage capacity of 600 joules or a bit more as the capacitor bank usually runs a bit like -20% to +80%. For a 20,000 watt amplifier that is one cycle of full power at 33 hertz. After that it is under 600 watts per channel. It just doesn't have the AC mains power available to produce more power. It would blow the AC power line fuse.
You don't run a Powersoft X4L or similar high power modern amp on a single phase 220V domestic line (even not a 32A one), they are powered with a 3Phase line, and therefor need a special plug. If you look at the X4L amp, there is no IEC connector, there is only a PC 5/5-STF1-7.62 socket for the custom config with the info how to make your cable in the manual. That is because a normal domestic line can not power it indeed. QSC amps are made to work on a standard line mostly, those Powersofts not. And a pro audio company (or other users like rave and dub soundsystems) know that and make their own power system fit for that. I worked in pro audio 20 years ago and even at that time it was like that with the high power systems of that time. For those it were mainly Lab Gruppen amps, and for smaller systems we used Crown and QSC amps. But you can't run big festivals like Werchter or Pukkelpop (the two biggest i worked at) from a QSC setup, they are just to small in power and unpractical in such setups.
Again no. The amplifiers in question were not capable of meeting their power claims. I have used and measured the Lab Gruppen amplifiers and their power rating is based on a 20 millisecond burst as I recall.
You bring up the Powersoft unit. It does not provide a power cord because most electrical codes limit cords and connectors to specific voltages and currents. They also use multiple rectifier capacitor power storage circuits to allow real three phase power delivery. Thus their only real input power limit is the line voltage and current supply.
In the U.S. the three phase Y choices are 208 or 480 volts. The Powersoft specifications rate the input up to 264 volts, so I suspect used in Indianapolis the power would be 208 volts Y. This would in theory require 4 gauge wire! That would be 16mm^2 wire. A bit hard to wire but possible.
Of course the loudspeakers inquired about have in some models 6” voice coils and can handle 2,000 watts. So the design issue becomes do you use bigger and fewer amplifiers by paralleling loudspeakers or do you use more smaller amplifiers. In touring systems if you have the power, then fewer racks are better. Also there are folks around to quickly fix any issues that occur. In installed system more amplifiers may be preferred as an amplifier failure is less significant. But the real consideration is safety agency ratings. In the U.S. this means an Underwriters Lab listing or equivalent. The U.S. safety rating lists the amplifier as 3,500 watts.
I do know of tour folks having issues in some large venues with gear that was not rated. They ended up paying to get their gear approved and listed.
So I would admit you did find what we call the exception to prove the rule. Although the reputation around here is they limit quickly after full power heat-up.
You bring up the Powersoft unit. It does not provide a power cord because most electrical codes limit cords and connectors to specific voltages and currents. They also use multiple rectifier capacitor power storage circuits to allow real three phase power delivery. Thus their only real input power limit is the line voltage and current supply.
In the U.S. the three phase Y choices are 208 or 480 volts. The Powersoft specifications rate the input up to 264 volts, so I suspect used in Indianapolis the power would be 208 volts Y. This would in theory require 4 gauge wire! That would be 16mm^2 wire. A bit hard to wire but possible.
Of course the loudspeakers inquired about have in some models 6” voice coils and can handle 2,000 watts. So the design issue becomes do you use bigger and fewer amplifiers by paralleling loudspeakers or do you use more smaller amplifiers. In touring systems if you have the power, then fewer racks are better. Also there are folks around to quickly fix any issues that occur. In installed system more amplifiers may be preferred as an amplifier failure is less significant. But the real consideration is safety agency ratings. In the U.S. this means an Underwriters Lab listing or equivalent. The U.S. safety rating lists the amplifier as 3,500 watts.
I do know of tour folks having issues in some large venues with gear that was not rated. They ended up paying to get their gear approved and listed.
So I would admit you did find what we call the exception to prove the rule. Although the reputation around here is they limit quickly after full power heat-up.
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In the UK high power amps are usually fitted with 32A 240V ceeform connectors and C type breakers used on the distro. So that gives 7680W continuous but the breaker permits overloads of up to 5x rated over short duration. Regardless music has crest factor, amplifiers have energy storage, speakers are reactive loads and no amplifier has a PSU that can sustain continuous output far in excess of 7 kW anyway. Whats most important is that the amplifier can provide the voltage swing to drive large subs to xmax. The that can do this are Powersoft, Labgruppen, Linea research, Sanway, Gisen, Admark etc. QSC does the PL380 but its not quite in the same class of power output.
For a nightclub it depends on the music you are playing. If there isn't much going on below 50Hz you should choose horn subs as they will have more output, however I would choose a design that has rear chamber venting to deal with long term heat build up. Perhaps the 'sub of doom'.
For a nightclub it depends on the music you are playing. If there isn't much going on below 50Hz you should choose horn subs as they will have more output, however I would choose a design that has rear chamber venting to deal with long term heat build up. Perhaps the 'sub of doom'.
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Interesting. I am facing a similar situation here. My brother is involved in the renovation of a night club here that used two W-Bins loaded with B&C drivers for bass, and I'm trying to convince him that he needs to replace them with some real bass bins. Several years ao we'd tried and tested a 33 Hz capable TH in the same club (think TH18, but slightly bigger) and it performed well, but this time around I'm thinking of going with a Paraflex Type A design, as the cabinet will be a bit smaller and easier to build, and it offers more protection for the driver. I haven't fully "run the numbers" yet, but the sim'd output should be pretty close to the previous TH design, with better bandwidth and out of band noise control.
Are you going to post the build on your website or diyaudio?
I definitely will, if it ever gets started. We're having a serious COVID breakout here at the moment and we're basically in lockdown mode at the moment. Everything's stopped.
Xoc1: yes- I see that the B&C I cited is (2) 15's.. The B&C plans all pair up with specific drivers in their plans. I suppose I thought the rule of thumb was to stick to the tested/tuned driver. I don't (yet) have the knowledge to do additional cabinet tuning for specific drivers.
If you like that basic B&C design, but want 12's (And I would agree with that)
then look at the design of the EAW KF394. I'm currently using these for my smallish DJ / rock band rig, and and in love with them. These mount the drivers in a similar way to the B&C, which helps directionality of the midrange. They also use a BMS 4594ND coaxial, so are 3-way boxes, yet still a very small footprint
Maybe someone here could help you copy the exact dimensions. I could help to some extent, if needed.
The only possible downside is that you have to cross your subs at no lower than 100 Hz, and that's kind of pushing it.
Hey mate I have just picked up a pair of EAWKF394 active sound sweet. What subs amps processing do you use under themIf you like that basic B&C design, but want 12's (And I would agree with that)
then look at the design of the EAW KF394. I'm currently using these for my smallish DJ / rock band rig, and and in love with them. These mount the drivers in a similar way to the B&C, which helps directionality of the midrange. They also use a BMS 4594ND coaxial, so are 3-way boxes, yet still a very small footprint
Maybe someone here could help you copy the exact dimensions. I could help to some extent, if needed.
The only possible downside is that you have to cross your subs at no lower than 100 Hz, and that's kind of pushing it.
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