Members bilbo71070 Posted December 4, 2005 Members Share Posted December 4, 2005 Looking to buy two new amps. Can't decide between those two. They're close to the same price. Anyone have any advice? Thanks in advance.Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gruvjack Posted December 4, 2005 Members Share Posted December 4, 2005 What is the intended application? What impedence loads? Stereo or bridged? I've used the CE2000. It delivered good, clear sound for a few weeks until something went wrong and it had to be sent in (under warranty). My memory is not good (happened 8 years ago)...I believe it was the input amplification circuit. Crown took care of it (excellent customer service!) but the down time was not pleasant as our dealer gave us a less than satisfactory amp as a temp substitute while the Crown was away. I've heard that CE2000s and CE1000s have a track record of issues. You can do a search on them here. I think they were caused by the quality of components and factory quality control. I'm sure the other guys here will fill you in on that. Crown has probably rectified the issues by now but I prefer to stay away from the CE1000 and CE2000. I've never had personal experience with the RMX1850 but I've used the 850, 1450 and 2450. All were solid performers and could deliver all night if treated properly. They can take a beating (up to a point, as with any gear). The 1850 has a HD (heavy duty) designation to it which implies that it handles 2 ohm and bridged loads well. I am a big fan of the RMX line: great performance at fair prices. I've never had one go bad on me (knock on wood). In addition, you may want to take advantage of QSC's 6 year warranty offer which expires at the end of the year. My pick would be the RMX1850. V. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dookietwo Posted December 4, 2005 Members Share Posted December 4, 2005 Originally posted by bilbo71070 Looking to buy two new amps. Can't decide between those two. They're close to the same price. Anyone have any advice? Thanks in advance.Bill I add another vote for the RMX. Had 2 for some time and never a problem. Even when in sub duty at 4 ohm bridged. Dookietwo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members laidback Posted December 4, 2005 Members Share Posted December 4, 2005 We run 4 1850's, all bridged into 4 ohm loads (so they're running at 2 ohms) and have had no problems. I haven't used the Crowns so I can't offer any comparisons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1tallbassguy Posted December 4, 2005 Members Share Posted December 4, 2005 Why do you'all hate America? just kidding..... Its a shame that an amp made overseas (QSC-RMX) performs as good or better than the USA stuff(CE series). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members milesdf Posted December 4, 2005 Members Share Posted December 4, 2005 is the CE made in america? i thought it along with the other cheap crown amps also were an overseas production thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bilbo71070 Posted December 4, 2005 Author Members Share Posted December 4, 2005 Thanks guys, I was actually leaning towards the Crown amps but I think I'll try the QSC 1850's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bilbo71070 Posted December 4, 2005 Author Members Share Posted December 4, 2005 Originally posted by 1tallbassguy Why do you'all hate America? So you suggest the Carvin DCM2000? Just kidding. I'm pretty sure the CE's are made in China as part of Crown's international line, but I could be wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members abzurd Posted December 4, 2005 Members Share Posted December 4, 2005 Hands down the RMX 1850HD. It's actually a 2450 that's been "throttled" to give rock solid 2 ohm performance. - Warranty (6 yrs versus 3) - Limiters (the CE doesn't have em') - 30Hz and 50Hz Low freq filters - Smaller (2U instead of 3U) - (Not intended to be a blanket statement about Crown amps) but my sound guy, who repairs pro audio "stuff" for a production company, just this week, said he's been fixing a ton of Crown amps lately (said pretty much everything but the K series). He's been doing this for only a couple of years, but said he's only ever had to fix ONE QSC amp ever. I suppose it could be that Crown amps are more prolific in this area so there are more to fix. - QSC RMX amps are pretty much all we've used in the band for the last 5 yrs (probably a dozen 1450's/2450's between 3 different rigs) Never a hiccup. Including some 2 ohm use here and there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gruvjack Posted December 4, 2005 Members Share Posted December 4, 2005 Originally posted by abzurd he's been fixing a ton of Crown amps lately (said pretty much everything but the K series). Did he happen to mention exactly what he had to fix/replace? Power regulators, output MOSFETS, etc? I'm curious. Also, if you happen to know, has he ever come across any faulty CE4000 units? I'd like to know if there are any recurring issues or shortcomings with that particular model. I'm interested in getting one: 3600 watts in a 34 pound chassis is highly tempting! V. P/S Sorry for going slightly OT here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members abzurd Posted December 4, 2005 Members Share Posted December 4, 2005 I'm not sure if it was any one thing in particular. We were setting up for a gig so it wasn't an in depth discussion. Nothing catastrophic or he wouldn't be fixing, he'd be replacing. I also have no idea if they were 5 yrs old or 20. A general observation and certainly nothing scientific, just that he fixes a lot more Crown amps than QSC. Could be too that the company has sold a lot more Crowns than QSC's in the past so more service calls are for them. Crown has a good reputation overall, but QSC is all I've really ever used. Given the feature set, if comparing the RMX with the CE I can't really see why anyone would pick the CE. It's a pretty "featureless" line. Given the target audience, no limiters seems foolish to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted December 5, 2005 Members Share Posted December 5, 2005 There's the QSC PLX series... similar power in a 20ish lb package and 2 rack spaces. Cheaper too. Made in the US. You won't find mosfet failures in the CE, MA, MT series or the RMX/PLX/PL series as they all use high powered bipolars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members happyguitar Posted December 5, 2005 Members Share Posted December 5, 2005 I have the 1850... no complaints Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMS Author Craig Vecchione Posted December 5, 2005 CMS Author Share Posted December 5, 2005 No complaints here for either the RMX or PLX amps. If I were to do it all again I'd pay the 2x premium to get the lighter PLX's all around. Roughly half the weight (22lb vs 42lb) and a shorter chassis, and made in USA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dboomer Posted December 5, 2005 Members Share Posted December 5, 2005 Originally posted by 1tallbassguy Its a shame that an amp made overseas (QSC-RMX) performs as good or better than the USA stuff(CE series). Where it's made matters very little ... it's how it's designed that really counts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Kennykeys Posted December 6, 2005 Members Share Posted December 6, 2005 Originally posted by gruvjack I've heard that CE2000s and CE1000s have a track record of issues. You can do a search on them here. I think they were caused by the quality of components and factory quality control. IINM, it was a design problem that hampered the first run of these amps. Crown did rectify the design, but the amps still aren't robust performers (and no feature set.). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chadgrieser Posted December 6, 2005 Members Share Posted December 6, 2005 I also have to say QSC RMX and PLX series amps are very good, and rugged. Always worked and never gave me any problems. I always took care of them and never did any stupid things to create magic smoke either. The PLX line is my choice of the 2 QSC amps, but that isn't what's being asked. I've not used the crown amps, so I don't have an opinion for you on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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