I was told OSD and Outlaw Audio are manufactured in the same OEM factory in China. That factory produces amplifiers for a number of different brands. Essentially the same amplifier designs with a different faceplate brand attached to them.
Thank you for your excellent series on power amplifiers. This review peaked my interest in the OSD 7 channel model, as I am interested in the Outlaw 7000x. So I went to the OSD website in search of more information. I did not find more amp specs, but I did discover that their amp warranty is only 2 years, compared to Outlaw's 5 year warranty.
There was quit a legal battle between Outlaw and OSD. OSD was found by the courts to be using false advertising. Knowing that I would feel more comfortable with Outlaw Audio: www.strata-gee.com/court-orders-osd-audio-to-cease-literally-false-advertising-claim
Great review. Appreciate the amps comparisons. I was looking for a 7-channel amp, and settled for the OSD instead of the Outlaw. I should be getting it sometime this week.
I'm glad someone else pointed out OSD and Outlaw similarities, at least with their 2022 offerings I was cross shopping amps, came across the 2 and did the ol "wait a minute..." Also, in a Reverb add, I saw in the background of a photo someone else's amp that in the top right corner said "Black" and looked like these two 7 channel amps... same "Emotiva style" blue light per channel, same everything. Couldn't find that amp in a search, and he boasted about his "new amp being a big upgrade" (horrible advertising for selling your old gear, but I digress, lol), but he never answered my question of what amp brand his "Black" amp was, probably hoping if he kept the secret I'd be forced into buying his inferior old stuff....
@@ripewave engine hoist? I'm kidding, I didn't realize it was 230lbs. I just love over kill all in one solutions, reminds me of the good old days in the early 2000s with AVRs that would put out this kind of power 7ch driven.
Yes - the Outlaw Model 7000x and the Nero XA7180 as virtually identical and at the same price. The Outlaw Model 7000x has a chassis ground which the Nero XA7180 doesn't have. I have heard that ground is necessary for unbalance connections, not sure if that is also an issue with the OSD Nero XA7180. I suspect it could be given the common design from ATI they are based on.-Jon
Looking for the best 3 channel amplifier to use for the front 3 speakers in a 5.1.4 setup and to replace my stereo amplifier, when using the front L and R for stereo. Current stereo amp is the Musical Fidelity NuVista 600, so looking in that hifi class......
Cost per channel is cool but as far as the watts per cost on each channel the 11 channel x 380 us a better bag for the buck, I'd one needs 380 watts per channel. I didn't do the math so maybe I'm wrong here. Lol thanks for the knowledge
True - you need to look at both cost/ch and also achieve the desired specifications. Low cost means nothing if it doesn’t do the job. What this data does is help you identify high value vs low value. Also some have a cost threshold in mind - under $500/ch, under $1000/ch etc. As for 11 channel amps I know of 4 models - Emotiva XPA-11 $2,199, Monolith 11x $2,500, Yamaha MX-A5200 $2,900 and the OSD Theatro X11 $3,368. Obviously the OSD entry is the most expensive, but delivers the most Watts/ch of the group. My channel - all channels in one amp or across multiple amps? Lower channel counts = more Watts / channel within the same product range. -Jon
Yeah, I don’t know if I can trust OSD wattage measurements. Seem to keep changing. 3,5,7 all uses same toroidal transformer. So they said 3 channel is 165 watts but if you get the 5 channel and only use 4 channels than is 180 watts per channel. Doesn’t seem to add up😂
@@bumblecat23 - True. The OSD 3200 I have is enough to drive my Martin Logan’s well and the amp seems to deliver good clean power and sounds good. That’s all I can ask of it really. So far so good anyway… 👍
It is easy to be confused as even the OSD webpage for the Nero 5180 show two different output ratings. If you download the manual, you can find the explanation for the different values. They post for different number of channels driven and THD measurements: ALL CHANNEL OUTPUT POWER (RMS) (UNIT:W) @0.1% THD ALL CHANNEL OUTPUT POWER (RMS) (UNIT:W) @1% THD I posted the more conservative measurement at 0.1% THD All channels driven - which is 135W into 8 ohms. The 150W value is at 1% THD. Jon
Yeah, I don’t know if I can trust OSD wattage measurements. Seem to keep changing. 3,5,7 all uses same toroidal transformer. So they said 3 channel is 165 watts all channels driven but if you get the 5 channel and only use 4 channels than is 180 watts per channel. Doesn’t seem to add up😂
I didn’t realize that was an issue. The challenge with creating with a non-white background is there is more work to drop product images and logos on cleanly. Some require loading into Photoshop to surgically remove the while background without having artifacts. Others I can remove without PowerPoint by setting transparency color on image. -Jon
@@ripewave yeah the prevalence of white backgrounds in product photos is challenging, It’s nice to see so many apps and operating systems embracing “Dark Mode”. Using the magnetic lasso is one way to extract. Another method could be to select the white background as one unified object, then change its color to your preferred color. I feel grey is good, but something with the channels brand-colors makes allot of sense too. Seeing as you have a logo, you could use the dropper tool to sample the color you already use in your logo and save it for future use in your projects.
i have a mish mash of amps ! one 2channel adcom GFA 555 II, a harmon Kardon signature series 2.1, a outlaw 7000!! i use 2 channels from the outlaw too biamp the center channel. then the adcom powers left and right channels,and the 5 channels that are left power the rest of my bottom layer! then i use the harmon kardon amp too power my 4 hieght speakers!! the speakers you would not beleive! now all my stuff is in perfect condition!!! with all this mish mash of stuff it sounds so good!!! oh hint my speakers were made in 1973 sansui with the 17 inch woofers!
What happened to Adcom? Used to be very popular. What is great about good amps and speakers is that they can be used for decades of service and still perform well. Will the ability to balance the levels of each channel separately, variations in output level can be compensated for making your mash of equipment viable. I also like your attention to the center channel. It is so important as the majority of content flows to it with movie sources. Keep it up! -Jon
That may just mean that their customer service is having issues. Their website is still live and I cannot find any reports that they have halted operations. What I do know is they lost a court case due to false advertising which was a major blow to them in 2022. -Jon
I was told OSD and Outlaw Audio are manufactured in the same OEM factory in China. That factory produces amplifiers for a number of different brands. Essentially the same amplifier designs with a different faceplate brand attached to them.
That 11 ch is a beast
It is.
Definitely will go with the OSD for me. Thank you great video.
Glad you enjoyed. -Jon
FYI the OSD uses a slightly different connector, it's IEC but square pins, I think it's classed as 15 amp IEC
Interesting. Thanks for providing that additional detail. -Jon
The vídeo was very good as always John, you showing the word of home theater in an excepcional way. A Hugo from Brazil.
Your the guy I have been looking for!
Thank you for your excellent series on power amplifiers. This review peaked my interest in the OSD 7 channel model, as I am interested in the Outlaw 7000x. So I went to the OSD website in search of more information. I did not find more amp specs, but I did discover that their amp warranty is only 2 years, compared to Outlaw's 5 year warranty.
There was quit a legal battle between Outlaw and OSD. OSD was found by the courts to be using false advertising. Knowing that I would feel more comfortable with Outlaw Audio:
www.strata-gee.com/court-orders-osd-audio-to-cease-literally-false-advertising-claim
Great review. Appreciate the amps comparisons. I was looking for a 7-channel amp, and settled for the OSD instead of the Outlaw. I should be getting it sometime this week.
Saw the OSD 7 Channel on sale so I've pulled the trigger on it. So I'm curious to hear the difference as well
Please share how it sounds
@@joekool5676 As this is my first home amp I can say it definitely adds "punch" to the sound. Working 5.2.4 system. Sounds good from my standpoint.
@@aplleyva - Their clean and dynamic. Every bit as good as Emotiva or Outlaw.
I'm glad someone else pointed out OSD and Outlaw similarities, at least with their 2022 offerings I was cross shopping amps, came across the 2 and did the ol "wait a minute..." Also, in a Reverb add, I saw in the background of a photo someone else's amp that in the top right corner said "Black" and looked like these two 7 channel amps... same "Emotiva style" blue light per channel, same everything. Couldn't find that amp in a search, and he boasted about his "new amp being a big upgrade" (horrible advertising for selling your old gear, but I digress, lol), but he never answered my question of what amp brand his "Black" amp was, probably hoping if he kept the secret I'd be forced into buying his inferior old stuff....
Great work Jon per usual, thank you sir. Looking into OSD now…BOOM!!
Honestly makes me think about my XPA 5, was it really necessary? Idk, but I do love it
The Treatro X11 is so sick, massive amp.
So heavy I don’t know how I would move it. I would rather see OSD cut the channel count down with the same quality design -Jon
@@ripewave engine hoist? I'm kidding, I didn't realize it was 230lbs. I just love over kill all in one solutions, reminds me of the good old days in the early 2000s with AVRs that would put out this kind of power 7ch driven.
I love the Theatro 11!!! Too bad the cost is outrageous!As you said, cheaper to get multiple amps rather than that big unit.
tbh it's not that bad, considering the channel count and power.
That's a hard choice either the outlaw audio 7 channel or osd Nero 7 channel, and they both have XLRs too.
Yes - the Outlaw Model 7000x and the Nero XA7180 as virtually identical and at the same price. The Outlaw Model 7000x has a chassis ground which the Nero XA7180 doesn't have. I have heard that ground is necessary for unbalance connections, not sure if that is also an issue with the OSD Nero XA7180. I suspect it could be given the common design from ATI they are based on.-Jon
Looking for the best 3 channel amplifier to use for the front 3 speakers in a 5.1.4 setup and to replace my stereo amplifier, when using the front L and R for stereo. Current stereo amp is the Musical Fidelity NuVista 600, so looking in that hifi class......
Cost per channel is cool but as far as the watts per cost on each channel the 11 channel x 380 us a better bag for the buck, I'd one needs 380 watts per channel. I didn't do the math so maybe I'm wrong here. Lol thanks for the knowledge
True - you need to look at both cost/ch and also achieve the desired specifications. Low cost means nothing if it doesn’t do the job. What this data does is help you identify high value vs low value. Also some have a cost threshold in mind - under $500/ch, under $1000/ch etc.
As for 11 channel amps I know of 4 models - Emotiva XPA-11 $2,199, Monolith 11x $2,500, Yamaha MX-A5200 $2,900 and the OSD Theatro X11 $3,368. Obviously the OSD entry is the most expensive, but delivers the most Watts/ch of the group.
My channel - all channels in one amp or across multiple amps? Lower channel counts = more Watts / channel within the same product range. -Jon
One note on the X3200. OSD says it supplies 165 wpc continuous and 270 wpc into a 4 ohm load.
Yeah, I don’t know if I can trust OSD wattage measurements. Seem to keep changing. 3,5,7 all uses same toroidal transformer. So they said 3 channel is 165 watts but if you get the 5 channel and only use 4 channels than is 180 watts per channel. Doesn’t seem to add up😂
@@bumblecat23 - True. The OSD 3200 I have is enough to drive my Martin Logan’s well and the amp seems to deliver good clean power and sounds good. That’s all I can ask of it really. So far so good anyway… 👍
Will you be reviewing Cinenova Grande amplifiers?
Has anyone found hands on performance reviews for OSD? kinda odd there is nothing out there 😕
I think there may be - if I come across I will share.-Jon
Favorite 3-channel amp so far?
I am confused because some including OSD says the OSD Nero 5180 is 150X5 WPC at 8ohms while some say it's 120 x 5 at 8ohms
It is easy to be confused as even the OSD webpage for the Nero 5180 show two different output ratings.
If you download the manual, you can find the explanation for the different values.
They post for different number of channels driven and THD measurements:
ALL CHANNEL OUTPUT POWER (RMS) (UNIT:W) @0.1% THD
ALL CHANNEL OUTPUT POWER (RMS) (UNIT:W) @1% THD
I posted the more conservative measurement at 0.1% THD All channels driven - which is 135W into 8 ohms. The 150W value is at 1% THD.
Jon
@@ripewave - Also for every channel not being used (according to OSD) that increases the continuous power output on the unused channels by 35 watts.
@@kingtrance307 wow that's Awesome I got a DENON X3800 and a OSD NERO 5180 all for under $2000 Brand new and I am loving it
@@ripewave thanks Jon I got it and a Denon 3800 and I am enjoying it
Yeah, I don’t know if I can trust OSD wattage measurements. Seem to keep changing. 3,5,7 all uses same toroidal transformer. So they said 3 channel is 165 watts all channels driven but if you get the 5 channel and only use 4 channels than is 180 watts per channel. Doesn’t seem to add up😂
Goodness, those all white backgrounds really burn my eyes. I think gray backgrounds would be a good shift for background color norms.
I didn’t realize that was an issue. The challenge with creating with a non-white background is there is more work to drop product images and logos on cleanly. Some require loading into Photoshop to surgically remove the while background without having artifacts. Others I can remove without PowerPoint by setting transparency color on image. -Jon
@@ripewave yeah the prevalence of white backgrounds in product photos is challenging, It’s nice to see so many apps and operating systems embracing “Dark Mode”.
Using the magnetic lasso is one way to extract. Another method could be to select the white background as one unified object, then change its color to your preferred color. I feel grey is good, but something with the channels brand-colors makes allot of sense too. Seeing as you have a logo, you could use the dropper tool to sample the color you already use in your logo and save it for future use in your projects.
i have a mish mash of amps ! one 2channel adcom GFA 555 II, a harmon Kardon signature series 2.1, a outlaw 7000!! i use 2 channels from the outlaw too biamp the center channel. then the adcom powers left and right channels,and the 5 channels that are left power the rest of my bottom layer! then i use the harmon kardon amp too power my 4 hieght speakers!! the speakers you would not beleive! now all my stuff is in perfect condition!!! with all this mish mash of stuff it sounds so good!!! oh hint my speakers were made in 1973 sansui with the 17 inch woofers!
Biamp 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
What happened to Adcom? Used to be very popular. What is great about good amps and speakers is that they can be used for decades of service and still perform well. Will the ability to balance the levels of each channel separately, variations in output level can be compensated for making your mash of equipment viable. I also like your attention to the center channel. It is so important as the majority of content flows to it with movie sources. Keep it up! -Jon
Osd Audio doesnt exist anymore.i try to reach them but no response whatsoever.🤬🤬🤬 So delete this video please
That may just mean that their customer service is having issues. Their website is still live and I cannot find any reports that they have halted operations. What I do know is they lost a court case due to false advertising which was a major blow to them in 2022. -Jon