Crown Audio Introduces ComTech DriveCore™ Series Amplifiers: New Chip Based Amplifier Technology Redefines Standard for Installation Market Applications

Providing sound integration professionals with high performance, energy efficient amplifier technology that will redefine the way amplifiers are designed and built, Crown Audio today introduced the ComTech DriveCore™ series of amplifiers. The new line – consisting of four models, are all one rack, convection cooled, ultra-energy efficient amplifiers. 

Offering up to eight channels and 150 watts per channel in a one-unit chassis without a fan, the ComTech DriveCore amplifiers are the ultimate for solution for a range of fixed installation environments, from video conferencing in boardrooms to luxury suites in stadiums.

The new line features the Integrated DriveCore technology chip that offers greater than 90 percent efficiency with no compromise in performance boasting a signal-to-noise ratio of 110dB. DriveCore also has patented feedback and protection circuits integrated into the silicon for fast and accurate response.

“The ComTech DriveCore introduction is destructive in the sense that it obsoletes everything that has come before it. Today’s introduction is a watershed event in amplifier design and manufacturing in every aspect from performance, weight, heat generation, and efficiency,” stated Marc Kellom, vice president of marketing for Crown. As part of Harman International, Crown has more research and development at its disposal than all of its competitors combined. This introduction is a clear demonstration of our determination to out innovate and outperform the competition while providing our customer base with unmatched value.”

The amplifiers feature flexible input routing and universal power supply and conform to Harman Professional’s Green Edge™ environmental initiative.  The amplifiers are convection-cooled and Crown’s new advanced circuit components use fewer resources in manufacturing, but have also contributed to significant weight reduction in the amplifiers that result in less energy consumption. The amplifier’s high operating efficiency translates into greater efficiency for output and each of the four amplifiers in the series weighs only 10lb.

Harman HiQnet™ is the world's first connectivity and control protocol that integrates all product categories in the signal chain for professional audio systems of all types, size, and applications. Harman HiQnet no longer requires the user to manage multiple disparate operating systems or be responsible for programming individual signal processors, speaker controllers, wireless microphone systems, and mixing consoles. HiQnet was developed by engineers from across Harman’s Professional Division and is coordinated by the System Development and Integration Group (SDIG), a team of dedicated systems specialists based in Salt Lake City, Utah.