[pietsch288]

Here's the problem....I currently have 4 SVS cs ultras, I have 2 of them on a bash svs 12plus2 plate amp (I bought it used on ebay) and 2 of them are on a buttkicker amp...which I believe has ****** thd. So I am thinking of doing one of two things----

1. Buying 2ea 500w bash plate amps (PCU clone) for a total of 476.00 shipped.
The positives of this senario are---less money---I should be pretty close to the same power and controls of the plus2 (subsonic filters--high pass cutoff etc). The down side is that there will be some differences between having different amps running all the subs.

2. Buying a behringer ep2500 running all 4 subs off of it (it is 2ohms stable in stereo operation @ 1200w per channel, so it should have plenty of power) and also buy a SMS-1 to use for the subsonic filter and high pass filter, and of course equalization (although I do have a 1124p). The plus side is that all the subs would be getting the exact same amount of power. The down side is of course cost...would be about 700.oo for used equipment, and I wouldn't have flexability... meaning I would have to keep them pretty close because of phase issues ect.

So I guess I could use a little help.Is anybody else using a ep2500 to run serious subage with a SMS-1??
Is an SMS-1 basically room eq wizard (should I be buying one anyway).

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. thanks rich

 

[WmAx]

Here's the problem....I currently have 4 SVS cs ultras, I have 2 of them on a bash svs 12plus2 plate amp (I bought it used on ebay) and 2 of them are on a buttkicker amp...which I believe has ****** thd. So I am thinking of doing one of two things----

1. Buying 2ea 500w bash plate amps (PCU clone) for a total of 476.00 shipped.
The positives of this senario are---less money---I should be pretty close to the same power and controls of the plus2 (subsonic filters--high pass cutoff etc). The down side is that there will be some differences between having different amps running all the subs.

2. Buying a behringer ep2500 running all 4 subs off of it (it is 2ohms stable in stereo operation @ 1200w per channel, so it should have plenty of power) and also buy a SMS-1 to use for the subsonic filter and high pass filter, and of course equalization (although I do have a 1124p). The plus side is that all the subs would be getting the exact same amount of power. The down side is of course cost...would be about 700.oo for used equipment, and I wouldn't have flexability... meaning I would have to keep them pretty close because of phase issues ect.

So I guess I could use a little help.Is anybody else using a ep2500 to run serious subage with a SMS-1??
Is an SMS-1 basically room eq wizard (should I be buying one anyway).

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. thanks rich

The Buttkicker amps measure no where near their claimed power output(around 1/2, or less, and with extremely high double digit THD), according to credible 3rd party measurements over at AVS Forum. Also, they are of questionable safety, with supposedly a few that have gone up in flames according to claims on some forums.

The EP2500 is the best solution here. It is lower in price, and a little higher in power, as compared to the dual BASH solution. For maximum power ability, though, you need a large guage, short run directly from your breaker box, to minimize line voltage sag.

As far as I can tell, the SMS is a weak device compared to a Behringer DCX2496, overall. The DCX2496 allows also, optimized mains/sub integration with very powerful/variable filter systems. However, the Behringer passes frequencies well under 20Hz, but it can not set filters below 20Hz. It just is not an option they put in the firmware, for whatever reason. The SMS can set subsonic filters under 20Hz center points. The DCX also must be manually set up - it has no auto-setup routines/ability.

-Chris

 

[avaserfi]

As someone who owns an EP2500 a DCX2496 and has owned a SMS-1 I would have to completely agree with Chris here. The EP2500 is one great amplifier that is built amazingly well especially for the price (see pics of mine here).

As far as the SMS-1 versus the DCX2496 I sold my SMS-1 for the DCX2496 and haven't looked back. The DCX2496 is far more versatile as it can be used for virtually anything. An example of this is that I am using to equalize my headphones currently as well as integrating my new sub with my mains. Did I also mention you can get at least two DCX2496's for the price of one SMS-1? The only time I would recommend the SMS-1 over the DCX2496 is if the user is simply not interested in setting everything up themselves and want to rely on an inferior auto setup and interface.

 

[pietsch288]

Are you guys using any kind of computer program (room eq wizard or any other program). Right now I only have a spl meter.....Is the SMS-1 basically REQ wizard w/out all the work (downloading the software buying a mic ect.)???? Or I guess what I should ask is..... where do I get and what do I need to get the proper equipment and software to pefectly match mains/sub. I can do the leg work to find the DCX2496. But what about everything else...when all said and done is the sms-1 an all in one easy package or not. PS...I am pretty good at setting up subs with the 1124p and actually enjoy moving them to diff locations and re-eqing ect. But I would like to see whats going on in "real time". thanks rich

 

[pietsch288]

Is the DCX2496 is to use???? It looks confusing, is there a write up somewhere online to show how to use it (like with the 1124P). Also can you set the subsonic filter at where you want it.... like 16hz or 20hz ect. thanks rich

 

[Guest]

Hi you can download the setup software for the dcx2496 at Behringer.com
and have a play.

Its not that hard to setup and the software makes it very easy.

 

[WmAx]

Is the DCX2496 is to use???? It looks confusing, is there a write up somewhere online to show how to use it (like with the 1124P). Also can you set the subsonic filter at where you want it.... like 16hz or 20hz ect. thanks rich

The DCX's PC interface software GUI is very logical and easy to use. It might look 'complicated' when first viewed, but as soon as you pay attention, it will become very obvious. As I stated in my prior post, you can not set a filter at a value less than 20Hz in the DCX2496.

You can use your SPL meter in conjunction with the free and popular EQ Wizard program. But if you REALLY prefer auto-configuration, then the SMS has a one-up on the DCX in this department. But the SMS has only a fraction of the versatility and power of a DCX.

-Chris

 

[imbeaujp]

Regarding the DCX 2496:

This product seems to be a crossover and a parametric EQ. This could be useful in my system to drive my 2 subs in stereo.

Is it possible whit this product to apply EQ on the subs channels and have no EQ for the mains ?

How EQ is managed in this unit ?

 

[avaserfi]

Regarding the DCX 2496:

This product seems to be a crossover and a parametric EQ. This could be useful in my system to drive my 2 subs in stereo.

Is it possible whit this product to apply EQ on the subs channels and have no EQ for the mains ?

How EQ is managed in this unit ?

It is very possible to EQ any band you wish withing 20Hz-20kHz. You can work either from a free program downloadable at Behringer's website or on the unit itself with the former being far easier than the later. In fact, if you want to get a feel for the unit you could download its GUI and play with it some to get an idea of exactly how it works and what you can do.

This unit would work perfectly in conjunction with REW to integrate your sub and mains as well as for any equalization you would require.

 

[WmAx]

Regarding the DCX 2496:

This product seems to be a crossover and a parametric EQ. This could be useful in my system to drive my 2 subs in stereo.

Is it possible whit this product to apply EQ on the subs channels and have no EQ for the mains ?

How EQ is managed in this unit ?

The unit has crossovers and EQs localized on every output channel. You can adjust every one independently if you so wish. There are also global EQs on the input side that you can apply EQ to everything, if you so desire.

-Chris

 

[pietsch288]

I not sure about almost everything you said....:>) Here's where you lost me

That'll give you a separate parametric EQ (and shelf filter, and subharmonic synth) for each subwoofer. So you could EQ each one to flat response (your SPL meter would work just fine) and then do global tuning. The only problem with the XTi line, to my mind, is that you have to run the software in Parallels or Boot Camp, because there's no native OSX version.

Could I use 2 ep1500's instead (there less expensive)???



But non-the-less....I've been running them 2 in the right front corner and 2 in the left front corner. That seems to give me (in the listening position) the most 18hz-28hz, from there I am sloping down to the mains.

 

[pietsch288]

could you put in a link for the software that you speak of.....please. I'd like to take a look. thanks rich

 

[avaserfi]

Could I use 2 ep1500's instead (there less expensive)???

Two EP1500s would work as well, but for a small amount more you could pick up that EP2500 just cause its cool :cunning:. Also, if you do a little comparative shopping you might be able to pick up the EP2500 for around $270, thats a little more than I paid.

could you put in a link for the software that you speak of.....please. I'd like to take a look. thanks rich

http://www.behringer.com/DCX2496/index.cfm?lang=eng

Go to "software updates" and download the zip file. It is a very small and powerful/efficient program. It will take a little toying with to get used to, but once you do it is surprisingly easy to use. To be honest the first time I used it I assumed I did something wrong because the process was so simple.

As far as getting the Crown XTi1000's I wouldn't recommend it. This is a more expensive option with less functionality. If you are looking for a more budget minded solution the Behringer path seems to make more sense. Also, I realize you might not be interested in all the features found within the DCX2496, but that doesn't mean you should downgrade ahead of time.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[pietsch288]

thanks for all the help guys.....I'm all over it.

hopefully it won't take years to figure it all out......

 

[WmAx]

You could run two ep1500's, but they wouldn't give you the benefit of the XTi's built-in EQ and crossover functions. You'd need a separate EQ box. And even then, you wouldn't get separate EQ for each channel.

If the DCX2496 is the 'separate EQ', then it does have an isolated EQ for every channel. In addition, the DCX is the ideal system to cross over both the mains and subs, for perfect integration.

-Chris