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Noob question about amplifiers.
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| cmay119 |
Hey all, I've got a question about Amplifiers. My buddy epdarks is looking @ a Crown XLS202 to power some Cerwin Vega RE-30 Speakers.
Looking at pictures of the back of the amp, I'm only seeing inputs and outputs of XLR & 1/4". Are you able to connect non-powered speakers directly to this amp, or is something else necessary to connect it all together?
Thanks. :) |
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| dark_Omens |
Crown amps use XLR inputs, and banana plug/binding plug outputs. You need a cable that goes from the output of your mixer (ie XLR or 1/4" or RCA) to XLR. Then you need 2 banana plug cables (each with a red and black post) from the amp to your speakers, which I would also assume have banana plug/binding posts?
Notice the banana plug terminals in the upper right of the backside of the amp. |
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| cmay119 |
Ohhhh. Okay. Yeah, Banana plugs are compatible with the speakers. However, the mixer he uses doesn't have XLR outs, only RCA. Is it okay to use RCA > XLR adaptors?
Thanks for the information so far. :) |
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| DJ RANN |
| quote: | Originally posted by cmay119
Hey all, I've got a question about Amplifiers. My buddy epdarks is looking @ a Crown XLS202 to power some Cerwin Vega RE-30 Speakers.
Looking at pictures of the back of the amp, I'm only seeing inputs and outputs of XLR & 1/4". Are you able to connect non-powered speakers directly to this amp, or is something else necessary to connect it all together?
Thanks. :) |
Not being rude but your post is quite worrying
You're asking if you can power non-powered (PASSIVE) speakers from this AMPLIFIER?
That's what amplifiers do.
Unless you like destroying speakers, do not connect POWERED speakers (ACTIVE) to this amp, as inferred by your post.
D_O, is right though about connecting the mixer - Get RCA to XLR to go from the mixer to the amp, then Banana to Banana for the speakers (as most passive speakers have banana terminals and if not then another obvious connector (speakon, 1/4" etc.)).
The only thing is that the crown amp is quite a decent bit of kit and if you're going to do anything more than a 15 foot run from the mixer to the amp then you want to think about using a mixer that has balanced outs. |
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| cmay119 |
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ RANN
Not being rude but your post is quite worrying
You're asking if you can power non-powered (PASSIVE) speakers from this AMPLIFIER?
That's what amplifiers do.
Unless you like destroying speakers, do not connect POWERED speakers (ACTIVE) to this amp, as inferred by your post.
D_O, is right though about connecting the mixer - Get RCA to XLR to go from the mixer to the amp, then Banana to Banana for the speakers (as most passive speakers have banana terminals and if not then another obvious connector (speakon, 1/4" etc.)).
The only thing is that the crown amp is quite a decent bit of kit and if you're going to do anything more than a 15 foot run from the mixer to the amp then you want to think about using a mixer that has balanced outs. |
Sorry, yes, I do know the difference between powered and passive speakers. I just worded that really poorly. I was just expecting to see regular red/black speaker wire connectors on the back. When I didn't I thought, maybe it was only for PA loudspeakers or something, that would have an XLR connection on the back...
About the RCA-XLR adaptors. I've googled for them, but only come up with XLR-single RCA plug (The red), do I have to get 2 of them to be able to hook up the White plug as well, for stereo sound? |
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| Dojomaster26 |
You'll need to get them custom made for both channels. I had to visit my local music equipment shop and talk to the tech guy there to wire up an adapter...
You could also get a higher-end mixer (with XLR) or a lower-end amp (with RCA inputs), but that's going to cost more money than getting a cable made. |
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| DJ RANN |
| quote: | Originally posted by cmay119
Sorry, yes, I do know the difference between powered and passive speakers. I just worded that really poorly. I was just expecting to see regular red/black speaker wire connectors on the back. When I didn't I thought, maybe it was only for PA loudspeakers or something, that would have an XLR connection on the back...
About the RCA-XLR adaptors. I've googled for them, but only come up with XLR-single RCA plug (The red), do I have to get 2 of them to be able to hook up the White plug as well, for stereo sound? |
It's easier to get the RCA to XLR cables - Radioshack sell them off the shelf - I was in one yesterday and saw them. You could ask your local pro audio shop to make them too. Don't get the adaptors if you can help it - they're bulky and protrude quite far out of the back of the mixer and can quite easily snap the connectors because of the extra leverage. It's also another link in the chain and something else to go wrong (not good in a live PA situation).
Actually, guitar center have them and they are more likely to be in stock.
here's the link....and you'll need two of these....
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Live-Wi...838-i1172393.gc |
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| epdarks |
Got any amp recommendations? Looking for similar specs to the Crown 202 as previously mentioned...
Price range under $300.
We will not be running speaker wire longer than 10 feet.
Mixer with XLR outs is an obvious way to go, but for now money does not permit.
Another random question... can this crown power 4 speakers simultaneously? It looks like it only has connections for 2. Would I need a splitter of some kind?
Thanks guys. |
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| Dojomaster26 |
Rann you must have a special RadioShack, because the ones here barely stock RCA extension cables, much less XLR cables of any sort.
If you buy the adapters from Guitar Center remember to get one for each channel, or you'll end up with pseudo-Mono, LOL
As for how many speakers your amp can handle, (correct me if I'm wrong) you need to figure out the wattage that your amp can generate, and the total wattage of the speakers that you are using. Ex: If I have an amp that can put out 200watts, then I can use two 100watt speakers, or 4 50watt speakers (common in car systems), etc. Just make sure that your amp isn't being taxed for more juice than it can handle. |
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| DJ RANN |
| quote: | Originally posted by Dojomaster26
Rann you must have a special RadioShack, because the ones here barely stock RCA extension cables, much less XLR cables of any sort.
If you buy the adapters from Guitar Center remember to get one for each channel, or you'll end up with pseudo-Mono, LOL
As for how many speakers your amp can handle, (correct me if I'm wrong) you need to figure out the wattage that your amp can generate, and the total wattage of the speakers that you are using. Ex: If I have an amp that can put out 200watts, then I can use two 100watt speakers, or 4 50watt speakers (common in car systems), etc. Just make sure that your amp isn't being taxed for more juice than it can handle. |
maybe? There's a lot of studios and post production houses where I am so maybe they cater more to that stuff than other ones?
AFAIK, you're right on the wattage splitting thing, but don't forget about impedance..... ;) |
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| Ted Promo |
| I don't know much about amps other than that I love love love and adore my 1965 Kenwood. |
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