Crown XLS 1000

[CowboyFromHell]

We just ordered 6 of these to replace our aging PA system and I can't wait for their arrival. Class D power so it's lightweight yet sturdy and ready for rack mount. The blue LED lighting is helpful (too many I've had in the past weren't lit at all) as is a three year warranty. I've never owned this Crown before but in my past experience you can't beat Crown for quality and reliability. It also comes with a built-in electronic crossover which eliminates other equipment which equates to less to carry and set up. It'll be a bit before I can post a review but for now I'll just say there's a new project in the works and not all of the band members were happy about it. That put us down two but I've already replaced one of them and may be working with another good friend from the past to fill in the remaining spot. Anyway, I'm rambling now, will chalk it up to excitement to be gigging again. Back to the subject at hand, if any of you have experience with these and can offer any tips, etc. feel free to chime in.

[roodyrocker]

Congrats on gigging again first! On those electronic crossovers, a friend of mine runs sound all the time. He has yet to find any built in electronic crossovers that he likes. He prefers to defeat them then set the crossover manually through his BBE DS48. How hard are you going to be pushing those Crowns btw?

[CowboyFromHell]

Well, there's 6 of them, 4 to drive the mains and 2 to drive the monitors. Our first gig is going to be an outside one so I'm guessing that will give them the real test and let me know if we need something bigger.

[CowboyFromHell]

Did a 2 hour set this morning (shout outs to Tyler for the loaner axe and amp) at a car show. I have to say, these things are PLENTY loud. We were asked by the local authorities to turn it down twice. I don't see a problem with using them indoors when they kicked major ass outdoors. The built-in crossovers worked great and were simple to dial in. There was more power on tap than we needed for sure. They seem to be underrated. The lightness of them still continues to trip me out. I have to give them two thumbs up for solid-state amps. Anyone in the market, I highly recommend them. Now to save a lil and get back up with Coloradoman to get that korina Explorer from him if it's not gone, lol.

[Bert]

Yup, I've used an XLS-1000 for a couple years with my PA, and it's been fantastic. It still freaks me out when I pick it up and realize how light it is (like 6 lbs!!). It sounds much heavier, for sure!

I just picked up an XLS-1500 to add to the stable. Haven't tried using the electronic crossover though.

[Rsmacker]

I was put off those amps when a colleague had three brand-new ones, straight out of the box, go tits up during a show (and I had to dig him out of the shit by going and fetching some of my old Macrotechs). IIRC, it was something to do with the crossover electronics...
To me, it's tempting fate to have all that shite built into the amplifier, just another thing that can fuck your gig up when it plays up. I can't imagine they will stand up to the kind of abuse some of my old toroidal amps have taken in their stride over the years - Crown has to have cut some corners to get them in at the price they list at, and not just by building them in China.

Keep us posted on how they perform, disprove my fears, please.

Until then, I'll veer towards Camco, QSC Powerlight, Lab Gruppen or my beloved Powersoft - and if all else fails, I still have a big pile of old REAL Crowns to fall back on.

[CowboyFromHell]

Well, so far they're holding up well at pissing off my neighbors, lol. Another person expressed a similar experience, but most reviews I've read and my personal experience thus far has been great. I brought home one of them just to push it hard to see if I could recreate the issues mentioned, but so far no problems. Those REAL Crown's you mentioned were what I based narrowing down brand selection on. You're right, those old ones you just damn near can't kill. Fingers crossed here these do half that good and I'll be happy. If you don't hear anything else out of this thread you know it's good news. I'll post for sure if any issues do occur.

[ThePitbullofLove]

I've got a couple of XLS amps (2000 & 1500) in my PA rack (which now only weighs about 30# with a couple of paower amps, a couple eq's, a limiter/compressor/gate, and an effects unit). Used them steady for over 3+ years now, and the only issue I ever had was when an outdoor venue turned on the cooling misters and got my power amps wet! They dried over the weekend and powered up and worked as before. They've been good to me thus far.