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August 22, 2012 - 12:25pm
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Crown XLS1500 Power Amplifier too powerful for 10 speakers?
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wire the speakers in a parallel/series configuration.
http://www.nilesaudio.com/product.php?prodID=HPS-6&recordID=High+Power+Speaker+Selectors&categoryID=Speaker+Selectors&catcdID=7&prdcdID=FG01038
If you run all speakers off the bridged channel http://www.colomar.com/cgi-bin/h_impedance_proc?6Z6Z6Z6Z6Z6Z6Z6Z6Z6ZxZxZxZxZxZx
If you run five off each stereo channel http://www.colomar.com/cgi-bin/h_impedance_proc?6Z6Z6ZxZ6Z6ZxZxZxZxZxZxZxZxZxZx
What will you be using to feed the Crown amp?
The amp will be fine for that application. You will know when you are pushing the speakers too hard.
That is the WRONG TYPE OF AMPLIFIER for that kind of system; you need to learn about PA systems and how they need to be implemented. You will end up with a mess the way you are trying to go. The power is actually not the issue. The installation people didn't want to touch it because they knew the speakers and amp were totally wrong for the system.
There are amplifiers designed to do that, and speakers set up for doing that. It is stupid to use the wrong stuff when the right stuff is easier and cheaper and simpler.
You want a PA amplifier with a 70 volt loop output and speakers that have attached tapped matching transformers that allow you to adjust the relative sound level at each location with minimal effect on the amplifier load (you can add low-cost 70V system matching transformers to the speakers you have and make them work fine).
Another big advantage of a 70V system is that current in the system loop is so small that 18 gauge wire can be used for a loop over 2000 feet long, whereas with a conventional amplifier (like the Crown) you would need 12 gauge wire and lots of it.
You are trying to reinvent the wheel, and make a square peg fit in a round hole. It is 10 times as hard the way you are going; do it right and it will be very simple.
I suggest you get the Pyle PD450A, which has a 400 watt amplifier with a 70V output and even a built-in CD player; Amazon has it for only $130. That will be perfect for the system you described. It has both line-level and microphone inputs.
For speakers, either call 1-800-GOAVGUY or go to avguy.com and look at the 70V speakers shown under the wall-mount and ceiling-mount categories. You want speakers that have an included 70V matching transformer.
For a good explanation and instructions on exactly how a PA system like yours needs to be set up and wired, go to the article on 70V amplifer systems at
www.soundinstitute.com
If you already have those Yamaha speakers, they CAN be used in a 70V system by adding a 10 watt matching transformer ( yes, this is big enough) to each one. Alectro Systems has them for $8.37 each. BHPhoto is another source etc. Amazon and Partsexpress also have 10W and 15W ones for $6 to $8. Just look for "70v transformer".