Great review, Tim. Thanks, man! If everyone else’s reviews are as concise and good as this one, we’re in for a treat. Steve, this was a great idea you had here. 👍🎶🔊
Nice review…I’d like to add that Crowns have legendary reliability and durability. Case in point, I am still using a D150 amp (in stereo) and IC150 preamp that I purchased new in 1978 and have lugged around the world (over 20 household moves). No repairs, still functioning fine.
I have the precursor XLS1000 and have been happily using it in my main system for going on 13 years. Driving custom-built monitors from my ARC SP9II. More power than I'll ever need and clean, neutral sound. Paid $250 for it at Guitar Center. Only downside is its unfortunate aesthetics.
Playing the trombone in concert hall as part of a symphony orchestra is quite different to sitting in front of a camera giving impressions on an amplifier. Nonetheless, Tim carries it off very well. He's clearly an intelligent and articulate man with a passion for music... and its a great value little amp by all accounts. Thanks for sharing.
@@timbathras2660Hi Tim, thanks for the review. Could you please let me know how to use this amp as monoblocks? I have a 2502 model and planning on getting a second one. Thanks in advance.
Wow, great review! Tim should start his own channel. I've seen the XLS 1002s at Guitar Center and wondered how they might work as monoblocks. Good to hear from someone who has tried it.
If fantastic review by a man that has only 220 subscribers as of February 8, 2021. I clicked over to Tim’s channel and I am now subscribed because of this video. Thank you all very much
Great review Tim, I bought 2 Crown1502 amps to drive Magnepans LRS crossed over at 70 cycles with MiniDsp , its very big clean sound with dual 12 inch subs, real hifi on a mini budget. these amps will freak out the snobs! peace! Also Thank you Steve!
Nice job Tim!! I always thought of Crown as pro audio, not consumer audio per se. Nonetheless, it certainly sounds like a high value / power for home audiophiles to consider. Thanks for your efforts!
I have a slew of these Crown amps in my home theater, actively powering an L/C/R with JBL Pro 15” mid and 2” Compression Drivers with Bi-Radial horns. Great amps for a great price. But if you use these on your mains and they’re anything more than mildly sensitive (meaning, low-tier pro audio sensitivity), the low SNR - the “background noise” referenced in this video at about 5:16 - is a detriment to the sound. I can ignore this because I don’t use the setup for any sort of “audiophile” listening. But be warned if you plan to do this, the low SNR is a legitimate problem that many other than myself have complained about. Objective data also tells the same story. For this reason, I would not recommend for a critical listening situation if you have speakers with a sensitivity above the upper 80’s and plan to sit within 8-10 feet of your mains. My $0.02.
The 1002 is the lowest model in the lineup which has a higher thd.. still anything under 1 percent is inaudible . Not matter how some of these audiophiles, think they can hear it.
Audio is not about noise or specs. It is about texture and the spatial interpretation of your ears. Most people, especially audiophiles can hear minute deviations in sound, but they have no idea what it is that actually offends them. This takes decades of professional training but, is totally unnecessary and irrelevant when it comes to enjoying your system. It only becomes a problem when that becomes your focus.
That was a really fantastic review by Tim. He clearly has the background to speak intelligently on the subject and his explanation of the benefits of certain features (such as the crossover feature) was wonderful. Well done. Cheers, Tom
I like my Cerwin-Vega! /Crown combo. If your into rock, metal, rap, electronic, really anything, you can't go wrong. Maybe not audiophile grade Hi-Fi, but pretty damn good. I would call it awesome-Fi. 🤘💀🤘
I'm using a Crown XLS 1502 (w/the preamp from a Harmon Kardon receiver) to drive a pair of Magnepan LRSs in a small carpeted room (12x15 with a 7 foot ceiling). It sounds fine, very quiet and clear, and capable of playing far louder than I'll probably ever ask it to do.
I'm using the 1002 with my Maggie MGlls, my plan is to buy another and run them monoblock, just like the reviewer. Just running the one I have now at 350wpc, I couldn't be happier. The sound is full and detailed, and it seems to be quite neutral. It drives them yo really loud levels, without any appreciable distortion. I have tried several other amplifiers in this system, and this has been, by far, my favorite!
A terrific and informative review! I really appreciated the observations pairing the Crown Amps with the Magnepans. Shout out to a fellow trombone player - great job!
I have recently been using the XLS1002 model, I will need it for one of my projects. I don't know its frequency response curve, but listening to it it seems to me that on the low frequencies side, it tends to have a certain attenuation below 50/60 hz while in high frequency I believe that it “walls” in a decisive way above 20khz. The "grip" on the speaker is remarkable with a control typical of high-quality class D amplifiers. The soundstage in terms of dimensions does not scream a miracle and remains confined between the speakers, however it has a certain depth (which I did not expect). I realize that its context is not a hi-fi chain, but it can have its own reason for those looking for a high dynamic. The value for money, combined with the great flexibility of use, make the XLS1002 certainly a very interesting product that may surprise even some “audiophiles”. The fan does not turn on in normal home use and the fact that the various “lights” can be turned off does not make it look bad in a chain of Hi Fi products. The volume adjustment (even with the 0.7 adjustment) allows quite large adjustment steps, it would be better to use something else, to adjust the volume more finely. Overall a successful product that could also be a "link" between the world of HI FI and the PRO one.
Does it decrease power below 50/60hz because i was looking to buy one for a subwoofer build but if the power drops below 50-60hz i might have to look at another way to power the subs
I've had a 1002 for about a year thanks to Andrew Robinson's review. The question that is often raised is what preamp. I tried a homemade passive pre, not loud enough. Then used Schitt SYS and was pretty happy. Yesterday I tried a FX Audio Tube 01. WOW, you want volume try it! and perhaps it gives a bit of tube warmth to Class D for $50.00.
Nice review Tim. Very clear & detailed. You clearly know your stuff and have added to the audiophile discussion of the Crown XLS series. Nice to see those Magnepans and I had also wondered about hiss on a very sensitive speaker like the Heresy III's.
Recently bought some Maggies. Was not sure how to power them, so I bi-amped with an old Yamaha to start. ~100 WPC, with 100 going to the highs and lows of each speaker. The speakers sounded great, but I suspected I was missing some power. Watched this video and immediately ordered the Crown you reviewed. Hooked it all up last night, and everything you state is correct. Quiet, clear, powerful. Speakers have a new found ceiling and floor. This review was perfect timing for me. I had the MG 1.6 for 2 weeks before this came out. Thanks!
Yay. I use one of these bridged with an old velodyne sub. It’s really great. The built in plate amp died and this was by far the cheapest solution. Got one used for like $250 with shipping and tax. Plus with the built in crossover it’s perfect. Also, it has way more power and quality than most of the Chinese plate amps available. It’s a total no brainer. Really impressive bass. I ended up upgrading the 10” driver as well. It’s a total beast now. Easily 2x the bass and tighter too. Most people don’t realize. More power = more control of the woofer. Think about it. The amp is creating sine waves/AC current essentially - it’s pushing the woofer out and then pulling it back in. More power roughly = more control. It is tight and hits hard. I’m curious to try it on my moms heresy speakers, but let’s face it. She has an McIntosh mc2105. How could this cheap class d compare? Would make a great video potentially!
My $4,000 Classe CA-D200 class D amp crapped out after only 4 years of light use. I bought the Crown XLS 2002 rather than repair the Classe. The Crown is rated at 375 watts rms into 8 ohms. Got if from Sam Ash with 45-day money back guarantee. To my ears it sounds just as good as the Classe for only $659 shipped free. It has nearly twice the 8-ohm power of the Classe. While the distortion specs may not be as impressive as the Classe, it really doesn't matter. This is because any speaker will have far more distortion than the amp. My equipment is as follows: Legacy Focus speakers, McCormack MAP-1 preamp, Oppo UDP-205-disc player, Coda phono stage and VPI Aries turntable. Everything sounds fantastic and the Crown XLS 2002 fits right in and sounds great. I have the input sensitivity set to 0.775 and the output controls set to the 11 o'clock position. With these setting I hear no hiss or buzz from my seated position about 10 feet away. If I place my ear about 6 inches from the midrange drivers, I hear a very low-level buzz. I had the same thing with the Classe. Although, the output setting of the Crown is at the 11 o'clock position I still get ample volume. I was worried the output controls would reduce the transparency, but I have found this not to be the case. It's only been 3 days since I put the Crown in my system, but so far, I am very pleased. I'm actually quite amazed, as I was expecting less bass definition and power, unconvincing harsh midrange and a tizzy top end. However, this is not the case at all. At this point, I seriously doubt this amp will be returned to Sam Ash. Give it a try as you have nothing to lose.
Crown has always been my gold standard back in the days when I used to DJ in NYC. I definitely don't miss loading and unloading of my audio cabinet, it's speakers, and records in milk crates. Good Review!!!
When you said you don’t miss lifting them I felt that because we have two racks filled with those amplifiers and it takes three of us to move one very heavy but the power is real not like these new class D amplifiers with outbursts power and fake wattage
Totally true. I had it and i am really happy. Now i upgraded to XTI 1002 more than double the cost. Sound better and look much better too. Agree that XLS 1002 may be a start amp and also end amp. Great review. Thank you much.
I own a Crown XLi2500 and really love it. It's an AB amp and doesn't have all the bells and whistles the XLS has. It's a straight up power amp, 2 gain knobs, 2 level/clip indicators and a power button with a very bright blue light (my only complaint). Massive amounts of clean, quiet power on tap. 🤘💀🤘
Thanks Steve! Hi Tim! Great video, I'll buy one to try. I'm ready to try uber power to see what watts really do for my speakers. This sounds like a good first step.
They were similar enough that I felt I wasn't losing anything of consequence and that the gain of the feature set on the Crown made up for it. It's been a while since I've have the M700's in house, but if I had to recall, I'd say the M700's were a touch warmer, but still clear. Definitely an audibly noise floor, too.
Great job Tim! I’ve been thinking about one of these. Like most teachers, I’ve had to shift to online lessons (due to recent events), and I can confirm that making a video is harder than it seems!!
I have the xls 1502 this amp is as light as a feather but it plays almost like my mark livenston ml 23. The power is ? the fan has never come I have the maggie mmg, and wilson audio. This is an amp to behold
The last Crown amp I almost purchased was the Crown DC-300 in 1975. Never been a class D fan in the past, but I agree with Tim that class D is showing signs of promise in certain setups. Nice review Tim!
After reading and researching for ages I recently took the plunge and bought 2 of the 1002 amps. I have not yet been able to connect them up as I have to wait for a set of new rubber surrounds for my old Tannoy speakers that I ordered from China a few weeks ago. So you can imagine my eagerness to get them all plugged in and working. Thank you Tim for your valuable input. I too have a likeness for classical music and hearing the bass from acoustic instruments is not always something easily achieved. I am confident that with my limited budget I have made the right choice.
I have 5 of these XLS 1002 and 2 XLS 1502 in my home theater setup playing Anthony Gallo AV1 for LCR and some Adiva TI playing all the surrounds in a Auro 3D setup. Couldn't be happier with and would recommend to anyone looking for amplification without breaking the budget. All amps have a power conditioner inline and using XLR cables and there is ZERO noise. I also like the Speakon connectors and they make hooking up the speaker wire connections a dream.
I have used a Crown XLR 2002 power amp with Maggie LRSs, B & W 703s, & a pair of Monitor Sound Silver 10s. For years I had been using a very heavy dual mono, high current AB amp putting out 150 watts into 8 ohm with a power band with of 20-20,000. The amp will do 300 watts into 4 ohms again from 20-20000. This is not a guess but an actual measurement. The amp always sounded very good. I had auditioned several Class D amps including one that cost north of $1,500. I hated it! The highs were harsh . . . and splashy. I took it back in a week after trying all sorts of ways to improve the sound. Also, I had a bias against "commercial" amps since I had tried several with disappointing results regarding the sound. The point here is that I had a strong bias against the sound of the Crown XLS amp. After hooking this thing up to the LRSs and listening to a number of my "reference" recordings I was shocked. The balance was wonderful. Great detail. Great imaging. The highs were detailed and smooth. I was shocked. Next I tried the Monitor Sound Silvers. They came alive and sounded better than even. Moving to the B & W 703s (older model without the carbon tweeter) and I was simply blown away. I heard no hiss from any of these speakers. (If you have a speaker into the 95 to 100 db efficiency range you might hear some hiss with you ear close to the tweeter but I doubt it will be an issue I drove the LRSs into the mid 90s on peaks (DB, A weighted meter; very uncomfortably loud for my ears) and the amp was just coasting. The same was true of the other 2 pairs of speakers. The 2nd level! of the meters didn't ever light up! No heat. No fan noise. Didn't blow any fuses on the speakers. I had told my salves rep to expect the Crown amp to be returned. After 10 days of enjoying the music with this amp, I called and told him I was not going to be returning this amp.. No problems after about 18 months of every day use. (Not sure what the power band width is on these things since I cannot find that spec on the Crown info but it has more than enough power. Most folks would be happy with the smaller XLS 1002 if the noise isn't an issue.
Question to Steve or anyone else who may know, I've got both the xls 1502 and the four 1002, both listed specifications state 29db gain at full power is that only with the signal knobs turned all the way up, some people yes some say no this is my set up and config the 1502 is on my subs and the 1002s for my fronts and center and sides, all connected via xlr from my outlaw 976 balanced receiver the channel signal from it is set as followed lfe output is set at 0db and the fronts and sides are - 7db and the center is at - 9db all but the subs are 98db efficient, my room is 15ft by 18ft by 8ft
Imagine that. A Crown amplifier that sounds good, and Class D, too. We are living in good times where you can get this kind of performance and package at this price. I never care who makes something, just that it does what I want to do at my price point. I did have go-to brand leanings, but this was because I found them reliable to go to for good performance. I have a Class D amplifier. The first Class D I've used in a serious system. The NAD D 3020 - now almost an antique - is often mentioned to have good synergy with the KEF LS50. And sure enough they do get along very well. I also have some nice Class AB desperate amps. Compared with these, the NAD/KEF synergy stands up well, and for the convenience of the little NAD it's even more attractive.
*** Warning *** Do NOT buy these amps! These amps are monsters. They destroy speakers! I have 5 of the XLS 2502's and these things have tremendous power. I have them set up for home theater, 4 of them briged across the subs, left, right, and center speakers and one for the rears in stereo. Maybe an overkill but I have the gain turned way low so that I have ZERO hiss, hum or buzz. These things are super quiet. I have a Denon receiver using the pre outs and the sound is amazing. When the need for power is called for in a movie scene these guys deliver. They will literally knock the wind out of you, I love them. So if you're not careful and bridge these into an unsuspecting speaker you will smell your mistake, you have been warned.
Thanks Tim....excellent review man - very enjoyable 😎. Pleased some here willing to step up....no doubt, not an easy task,, especially as a newcomer. Just one thing...everybody should be signing off as per Steve......after all...it still is the audiopheliac daily show. 😆😆😆
Great review Tim. Many years ago I owned a pair of Magnepans 1.6 and even though they sound amazing the inability to get very loud sound out of them made me switch to a more standard speaker. Maybe it is time for me to visit the brand.
I started a DJ business 5~6 years ago and went with the next step up in the Crown line up - the XTI series 2002. Being in multiple venues on a regular basis I went with the XTI for its monitoring capabilities. I have been very pleased with them and truly believe that as well as bang for the buck that the sound is hard to beat. Great 1st time review.
Tim great review, you organized the material well. There has been a ton of great reviews on that line of amps recently. For a budget audiophile system how about one of the 2002 + the Maggie LRS + subs. Might set a new record for SQ per $...
The XLS Crown is a great class D amp. It has three variable band pass filters, it sounds precise, it’s very adjustable and is easy to use, it’s efficient and very powerful, and I’ve never heard its fan or any other unwanted noises. I am using pair of mono-blocked Crown XLS 1002s @ 1100 watts each to drive a set of Skar DDX15-D2, 1000-watt RMS sub woofers in my home theater. Even though the XLS series of Crown pro amps have RCA ins and a sensitivity adjustment, using them only gives about 60% of the rated power. I needed to run the Crown at full power. So, to solve this issue, I used an ART Cleanbox Pro between my theater amp and the two Crowns. I am also using a Crown XLS 2502 as a mono block to drive another sub. But in this case, the cleanbox is not needed. As this amp alone has plenty enough power to drive any sub or set of standard home speakers.
I'm running two 15" subwoofers off of my Crown XLS1002 in stereo mode. The subs are dual 4 ohm voice coil and I have them wired as a 2 ohm load on each channel for maximum power output of 550w/channel. The fan runs frequently but you would never know it since it is completely silent. The subs can handle a little more than the 550w/channel the crown puts out but not sure I need it. At the 3/4 output, I can feel the bass in my chest like a rock concert (with ear plugs in for safety), driving it close to clipping is pretty intense. Once I get an AVR with pre-outs, will use the XLS1002 for the L/R mains and pick up the XLS1502 or maybe the 2002 for the subs for some extra headroom.
I just got one of these today. Put it into my system where it replaced Trio LM07 monoblocks. I must say it sounds good! Like Tim said there is a tiny amount of hiss if you put your ear to the speaker but you have to put your ear right up to it... otherwise you don't hear it... my only possible complaint is that it might be a smidge more fatiguing to listen to than my monoblocks... time will tell... so far I have only heard 3 albums through it... and like what I hear!
Nice review 👍🏽 Steve I think these are great and you're pretty cool for giving your fans the opportunity. You know (as you would say lol) I think if you followed up with your opinion on the product it would solidify and add credibility one way or the other because your comments are important too. Just a thought...
Well, I mean XLS amps are good for the money, I agree. I'm a pro audio engineer and I build budget systems using these at times. The XLS amps are durable, light, and they last. In some middle of the road systems, I've used XTI amps also. The XTI don't cost much more and they have much better features plus more power. However, the XLS do lack that pure power, dynamic range, and depth, especially when you are pushing them. If you are going to use an amplifer like this in a hifi situation, I recommend doing what he did and run "program power." Program power is double RMS power. Or, even more. These cheap amplifiers don't have power reserves. So, they can only provide a burst over RMS power. Usually Crown amps will burst 2dB over RMS power. A burst is usually about 20ms. So, it is good to look at how you will be listening vs your budget as always. I also in my personal sound system, spec out 20dB of headroom (unused output) so that the speakers are coasting along with very low distortion. I wouldn't spec an XLS amp for anything hifi though. The QSC PLD or CXD series are superior in sound quality and they sound many time more expensive than they are. Out of all the budget amplifiers I've heard, the QSC PLD or CXD probably takes the cake even compared to QSC class A/B counterparts.
Have you compared the QSC GXD which is class D to the GX which is Class B as they call it.im leaning towards GX over crown for front speaker for Atmos system no fan abit noisey
I give Tim an "A+" on his review. Now per say I am a PA guy that has a regular Pioneer stereo at home. I'm the kind of guy that recommends, if it sounds good to your ears and doesn't cost you an arm and a leg then that's the route you need to go. But remember, don't crank a inexpensive stereo like you driving a concert hall. I currently DJ, have now for 40+ years. I have a pair of Crowns, a XLS 1500 & a XLS 2500, I drive them both in stereo mode with the 2500 driving the subs and the 1500 driving the mids & highs. I don't use standard speakers, I use PA grade speakers, all Peavey. My driving force is good sound with good headroom at a reasonable price to me and to the people I DJ for. So far it's been a winning combination. The Crowns Class D's have a winning sound.
Cool thing about these amplifiers is there is a voltage switch so you can use an gear, home or p.a/club dj ect. Use RCAs or 1/4 phono plugs. These amplifiers dont have eqs just low pass and high pass filters or no filter for pure power!!!
I just re-capped an Altec-Lansing 9444a. It was a big job but now have a 200 watts per channel amp with a total investment, including the amp, of $200. The old pro-type a/b amps, if re-capped can sound really good. I also swapped out the NE5532 op amp in the front end for a LM4562 which is specifically designed for audio. I have another op amp on the way to try.
I have the older XLS 1500's . The new XLS with input voltage switch is a strong reason to buy the new XLS , but I would say spend the little extra for the bigger amps at least the XLS1502 for the higher signal to noise and other upgrades . We know nothing can sound better than the sorse you start with , that being said a good preamp is a big plus I got lucky and found a Mark Levenson for next to nothing . I wouldn't compare the XLS to the super $30k to $100k amps but for the price you can't do better . Thanks Tim
Great job, Tim! Question: How would you compare the PS Audio M700s to the Crowns if the only consideration was sound quality (ignoring crossover control, power ratings, etc.) at low and moderate volumes, especially through your Klipsch speakers? Discernible differences?
In that scenario, I think the M700's would pull ahead. I don't have the M700's here to compare. But, personally, I like tube gear best with the Heresy's. For a while I had a TubeCube 7 (a MiniWatt N3 clone) and for late night listening with the Heresy, it was quite enjoyable.
Tim Bathras Thanks, Tim. I run a PS Audio S300, with a Schiit Freya+ tube front end. I run the Freya in tube mode almost exclusively. My speakers have built-in powered subwoofers, so the amp is not called on for that duty. I’m very happy with the combo, but I am always curious about alternatives. Did you trade in your M700s for any other PS Audio components?
@@chriswells156 If what you have is making you happy, I'd stay stick with it! The PS Stellar amps are fantastic. I don't think you're going to see any gains from the Crown.
You cant go wrong with any of the XLS series. And if you don't like it or you out grow it, you can always get pretty much what you paid for it at a later date.
I haven't any clue, but to one of my points in the video, if you're near anything like a Guitar Center or other Pro Audio shop, you can walk in and pick one up - be sure to check on their return policy first - but most places give you at least 7 or 14 days for a return window. But also to mention, this is just a power amp and your Pioneer is a receiver, I'm not sure if it has pre-outs to feed the Crown or if you'd need a separate pre-amp, too.
@@timbathras2660 thanks, i do remember you saying that, i might give it a try, i love what i'm running now but was looking for more power (overhead), the Pioneer is about 130 wpc 8 ohms, i'm running Polk SDA 2bs, which might need more power, i don't know, great review and video
There are many variables there but my Harmon Kardon has a much lower thd. @ 1W /1M where it is rated and my Crowns especially at higher volume sound much better noticeably , but are so clean even at low levels . Crown is made by Harmon . If you look the Crown is not rated at 1W at 1 Meter , it is .5 THD at rated output , big big difference . I called Harmon before I bought mine and asked what they were at 1w/1M they told me it would be so low it wasn't reasonable to measure it . Most class AB amps go up significantly at rated output . But all amps go up as the volume goes up so .5 THD at rated output is super low .
I have klipsch rp-150m bookshelf’s and a crown xls used and it hisses a little bit if your listening at any volume you don’t hear hissing or anything you don’t want to hear
I have a Crown XLS1502 fed from a Cambridge Audio DACMagic Plus over XLR, feeding a pair of KEF LS50 Meta, and it sounds extremely good. Also with a sub.
Very enjoyable review. I would give more time to sound quality and descriptions of sound. I understand that is probably the most difficult aspect of reviewing but his experience as a musician should give him a wide range of adjectives to describe sound.
Great review! I run a Crown XLS2502 with KEF LS50’s + REL T7i and love the pairing. I am planning to get Maggies in the future and was wondering if the Crown amps would be a good match and this review helps a lot with the decision making process.
I play with magnepan tympani I speakers, I have a xls2502 I tried it, my main amps sound better than the crown. But there is also a huge gap in price there. I use it to drive two jbl jrx 18 inch subs, it’s a ridiculously good amp. Build in crossovers, tons of power
@@MichelLinschoten Thanks for the feedback Michael! Would you mind sharing the name of the amp that you enjoy more with the Maggies? Hoping to get mine later this year :)
I am going to run the same speakers (1.7’s) but was looking at the 2502 just to have the single chassis. Is there an advantage to running the dual 1002’s instead? Also are these ok to run into a power conditioner or do you recommend straight into the wall? Also, you keep mentioning “value for the money.” I have other class d amps that are more expensive (yet affordable) that do 600w into 4 ohms stereo but not sure how the Crowns might compare. I will be running my RME ADI-2 FS dac direct in via XLR. Lastly, is there a D/A conversion happening in the amp? Also a musician BTW LOL:) Thanks!!
I saw Zero Fidelity’s review and was turned off to the Crown models because of his comment about the noise floor. Tim, after seeing your excellent review I am again interested, especially because of the pairing these amps with the Maggies.
This is a fabulous reviewer. Totally professional, clear, and to the point. Great.
Man he was like a professional, very detailed review and well prepared 👍
Great review, Tim. Thanks, man! If everyone else’s reviews are as concise and good as this one, we’re in for a treat.
Steve, this was a great idea you had here. 👍🎶🔊
Great! Steve, this is quite a nice move to allow your audience to share their experiences.
Nice review…I’d like to add that Crowns have legendary reliability and durability. Case in point, I am still using a D150 amp (in stereo) and IC150 preamp that I purchased new in 1978 and have lugged around the world (over 20 household moves). No repairs, still functioning fine.
I have the precursor XLS1000 and have been happily using it in my main system for going on 13 years. Driving custom-built monitors from my ARC SP9II. More power than I'll ever need and clean, neutral sound. Paid $250 for it at Guitar Center. Only downside is its unfortunate aesthetics.
Playing the trombone in concert hall as part of a symphony orchestra is quite different to sitting in front of a camera giving impressions on an amplifier. Nonetheless, Tim carries it off very well. He's clearly an intelligent and articulate man with a passion for music... and its a great value little amp by all accounts. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! Yes, being in front of the camera is a very different experience indeed. Steve makes it look easy!
@@MichaelDavitt1 Thanks! Perhaps... I've been toying with it and have already been asked about a couple things to review.
@@timbathras2660Hi Tim, thanks for the review. Could you please let me know how to use this amp as monoblocks? I have a 2502 model and planning on getting a second one. Thanks in advance.
Wow, great review! Tim should start his own channel. I've seen the XLS 1002s at Guitar Center and wondered how they might work as monoblocks. Good to hear from someone who has tried it.
Funny. I started looking for a monoblock audiophile amp for my bass guitar setup and lo and behold. Audiophile starting to use PA amps. 😅
If fantastic review by a man that has only 220 subscribers as of February 8, 2021. I clicked over to Tim’s channel and I am now subscribed because of this video. Thank you all very much
Love that this guy uses two crown amps to blare pipe organ music through Magnepans!
Tim convinced me with his warm, professional manner and concise attention to detail. He could easily sell private jets with tremendous success.
Great review Tim, I bought 2 Crown1502 amps to drive Magnepans LRS crossed over at 70 cycles with MiniDsp , its very big clean sound with dual 12 inch subs, real hifi on a mini budget. these amps will freak out the snobs! peace! Also Thank you Steve!
Nice job Tim!! I always thought of Crown as pro audio, not consumer audio per se. Nonetheless, it certainly sounds like a high value / power for home audiophiles to consider. Thanks for your efforts!
I have a slew of these Crown amps in my home theater, actively powering an L/C/R with JBL Pro 15” mid and 2” Compression Drivers with Bi-Radial horns. Great amps for a great price. But if you use these on your mains and they’re anything more than mildly sensitive (meaning, low-tier pro audio sensitivity), the low SNR - the “background noise” referenced in this video at about 5:16 - is a detriment to the sound. I can ignore this because I don’t use the setup for any sort of “audiophile” listening. But be warned if you plan to do this, the low SNR is a legitimate problem that many other than myself have complained about. Objective data also tells the same story. For this reason, I would not recommend for a critical listening situation if you have speakers with a sensitivity above the upper 80’s and plan to sit within 8-10 feet of your mains. My $0.02.
The 1002 is the lowest model in the lineup which has a higher thd.. still anything under 1 percent is inaudible . Not matter how some of these audiophiles, think they can hear it.
Audio is not about noise or specs. It is about texture and the spatial interpretation of your ears. Most people, especially audiophiles can hear minute deviations in sound, but they have no idea what it is that actually offends them. This takes decades of professional training but, is totally unnecessary and irrelevant when it comes to enjoying your system. It only becomes a problem when that becomes your focus.
@@MichelLinschoten Thank you.
I run 2 Crown XLi 1500's on 2 sets of 15" Cerwin Vega's. Sounds amazing. Might give the XLS a try next.
That was a really fantastic review by Tim. He clearly has the background to speak intelligently on the subject and his explanation of the benefits of certain features (such as the crossover feature) was wonderful. Well done.
Cheers, Tom
Thanks, Tim-great job!
The magnepan/crown combination deserves it's own review as a candidate for the best inexpensive high end rig.
I like my Cerwin-Vega! /Crown combo. If your into rock, metal, rap, electronic, really anything, you can't go wrong. Maybe not audiophile grade Hi-Fi, but pretty damn good. I would call it awesome-Fi.
🤘💀🤘
I'm using a Crown XLS 1502 (w/the preamp from a Harmon Kardon receiver) to drive a pair of Magnepan LRSs in a small carpeted room (12x15 with a 7 foot ceiling). It sounds fine, very quiet and clear, and capable of playing far louder than I'll probably ever ask it to do.
I'm using the 1002 with my Maggie MGlls, my plan is to buy another and run them monoblock, just like the reviewer. Just running the one I have now at 350wpc, I couldn't be happier. The sound is full and detailed, and it seems to be quite neutral. It drives them yo really loud levels, without any appreciable distortion. I have tried several other amplifiers in this system, and this has been, by far, my favorite!
A terrific and informative review! I really appreciated the observations pairing the Crown Amps with the Magnepans. Shout out to a fellow trombone player - great job!
Very interesting review, not heard Crown amps but might check them out now
Crown amps have long been used in Pro PA use. That's why the SpeakOn connectors.
I have recently been using the XLS1002 model, I will need it for one of my projects. I don't know its frequency response curve, but listening to it it seems to me that on the low frequencies side, it tends to have a certain attenuation below 50/60 hz while in high frequency I believe that it “walls” in a decisive way above 20khz. The "grip" on the speaker is remarkable with a control typical of high-quality class D amplifiers. The soundstage in terms of dimensions does not scream a miracle and remains confined between the speakers, however it has a certain depth (which I did not expect). I realize that its context is not a hi-fi chain, but it can have its own reason for those looking for a high dynamic. The value for money, combined with the great flexibility of use, make the XLS1002 certainly a very interesting product that may surprise even some “audiophiles”. The fan does not turn on in normal home use and the fact that the various “lights” can be turned off does not make it look bad in a chain of Hi Fi products. The volume adjustment (even with the 0.7 adjustment) allows quite large adjustment steps, it would be better to use something else, to adjust the volume more finely. Overall a successful product that could also be a "link" between the world of HI FI and the PRO one.
Does it decrease power below 50/60hz because i was looking to buy one for a subwoofer build but if the power drops below 50-60hz i might have to look at another way to power the subs
Very good review. Clear and concise.
Great review! interior design committee at home! :-) funny and nice way to handle the topic.
I've had a 1002 for about a year thanks to Andrew Robinson's review. The question that is often raised is what preamp. I tried a homemade passive pre, not loud enough. Then used Schitt SYS and was pretty happy. Yesterday I tried a FX Audio Tube 01. WOW, you want volume try it! and perhaps it gives a bit of tube warmth to Class D for $50.00.
totally agree on what he said. i own 7 crown amps and love them!! match them right and they will reward you plenty!! nice review!
Nice review Tim. Very clear & detailed. You clearly know your stuff and have added to the audiophile discussion of the Crown XLS series. Nice to see those Magnepans and I had also wondered about hiss on a very sensitive speaker like the Heresy III's.
Thanks Tim, great review !
it's amazing how the price of 1002 almost doubled in 2 years. it's now $409 doe the same exact unit. this price you have to rethink your purchase
Now this is what I call an HONEST to Goodness awesome Review!!! Fantastic.
I am now slowly becoming a convert to Class D. Specifically, Crowns.
Recently bought some Maggies. Was not sure how to power them, so I bi-amped with an old Yamaha to start. ~100 WPC, with 100 going to the highs and lows of each speaker. The speakers sounded great, but I suspected I was missing some power. Watched this video and immediately ordered the Crown you reviewed. Hooked it all up last night, and everything you state is correct. Quiet, clear, powerful. Speakers have a new found ceiling and floor. This review was perfect timing for me. I had the MG 1.6 for 2 weeks before this came out. Thanks!
Yay. I use one of these bridged with an old velodyne sub. It’s really great. The built in plate amp died and this was by far the cheapest solution. Got one used for like $250 with shipping and tax. Plus with the built in crossover it’s perfect. Also, it has way more power and quality than most of the Chinese plate amps available. It’s a total no brainer. Really impressive bass. I ended up upgrading the 10” driver as well. It’s a total beast now. Easily 2x the bass and tighter too. Most people don’t realize. More power = more control of the woofer. Think about it. The amp is creating sine waves/AC current essentially - it’s pushing the woofer out and then pulling it back in. More power roughly = more control. It is tight and hits hard. I’m curious to try it on my moms heresy speakers, but let’s face it. She has an McIntosh mc2105. How could this cheap class d compare? Would make a great video potentially!
You tried it on your mums speaker yet or won't she let you😁
Mark Clancy not yet. She’ll let me, but I have to drive a few hours to try it. Hehe.
@@caseykittelcool be interesting.
Would it be possible to run this in mono for a center channel ?
The positive from right channel
and the negative from the left channel ?
My $4,000 Classe CA-D200 class D amp crapped out after only 4 years of light use. I bought the Crown XLS 2002 rather than repair the Classe. The Crown is rated at 375 watts rms into 8 ohms. Got if from Sam Ash with 45-day money back guarantee. To my ears it sounds just as good as the Classe for only $659 shipped free. It has nearly twice the 8-ohm power of the Classe. While the distortion specs may not be as impressive as the Classe, it really doesn't matter. This is because any speaker will have far more distortion than the amp.
My equipment is as follows: Legacy Focus speakers, McCormack MAP-1 preamp, Oppo UDP-205-disc player, Coda phono stage and VPI Aries turntable. Everything sounds fantastic and the Crown XLS 2002 fits right in and sounds great.
I have the input sensitivity set to 0.775 and the output controls set to the 11 o'clock position. With these setting I hear no hiss or buzz from my seated position about 10 feet away. If I place my ear about 6 inches from the midrange drivers, I hear a very low-level buzz. I had the same thing with the Classe. Although, the output setting of the Crown is at the 11 o'clock position I still get ample volume. I was worried the output controls would reduce the transparency, but I have found this not to be the case. It's only been 3 days since I put the Crown in my system, but so far, I am very pleased.
I'm actually quite amazed, as I was expecting less bass definition and power, unconvincing harsh midrange and a tizzy top end. However, this is not the case at all. At this point, I seriously doubt this amp will be returned to Sam Ash. Give it a try as you have nothing to lose.
Great job Tim and good job Steve for choosing Tim!
Thanks Steve, and a very good job Tim!
Crown has always been my gold standard back in the days when I used to DJ in NYC. I definitely don't miss loading and unloading of my audio cabinet, it's speakers, and records in milk crates. Good Review!!!
I wish someone had a photo of the crown array that was at the Twilo club. It was actually on public display behind glass.
When you said you don’t miss lifting them I felt that because we have two racks filled with those amplifiers and it takes three of us to move one very heavy but the power is real not like these new class D amplifiers with outbursts power and fake wattage
Totally true. I had it and i am really happy. Now i upgraded to XTI 1002 more than double the cost. Sound better and look much better too.
Agree that XLS 1002 may be a start amp and also end amp.
Great review. Thank you much.
I own a Crown XLi2500 and really love it. It's an AB amp and doesn't have all the bells and whistles the XLS has. It's a straight up power amp, 2 gain knobs, 2 level/clip indicators and a power button with a very bright blue light (my only complaint). Massive amounts of clean, quiet power on tap.
🤘💀🤘
Thanks Steve! Hi Tim! Great video,
I'll buy one to try. I'm ready to try uber power to see what watts really do for my speakers. This sounds like a good first step.
Nice interview. I would have liked to hear more on his thoughts on the sound comparison between the Crown and PS Audio amps they replaced.
They were similar enough that I felt I wasn't losing anything of consequence and that the gain of the feature set on the Crown made up for it. It's been a while since I've have the M700's in house, but if I had to recall, I'd say the M700's were a touch warmer, but still clear. Definitely an audibly noise floor, too.
@@timbathras2660 great job, Tim!
An SVS with a pair of Magnepans?Please try a Rhythmik brother.They have a sealed model F12G.370 w rms class AB.Bass endgame for pipe organ lovers!
Been using the XLS 1502 for years now. One word description: Transparent
Hi. how do you connect the subwoofers? If there an out connection after the integrated crossover? thanks
Great job Tim!
I’ve been thinking about one of these.
Like most teachers, I’ve had to shift to online lessons (due to recent events), and I can confirm that making a video is harder than it seems!!
What a great review!
I have the xls 1502 this amp is as light as a feather but it plays almost like my mark livenston ml 23.
The power is ? the fan has never come I have the maggie mmg, and wilson audio.
This is an amp to behold
I wonder how much more advanced drive core 3 amps will be?
Great to see a Pro Audio product featured here! I feel like Pro Audio solutions are often looked over by audiophiles.
The last Crown amp I almost purchased was the Crown DC-300 in 1975. Never been a class D fan in the past, but I agree with Tim that class D is showing signs of promise in certain setups. Nice review Tim!
I love the detailed sound of my Crown XLS 1502. It isn't noisy and sounds great.
con cuales parlantes lo usas
@@icarosanchez5113 Translation?
Love this format... Great review. Thanks
Bravo, Tim!! Steve, I think he's coming for your job...lol!!
Highest respect for musicians that enjoy good gear... Great review!! Thank you
Tim’s system is very close to my wishlist. Nice review!
Great job Tim. Extremely informative. One of the best reviews I've seen on the Crown XLS.
Excellent review, Tim clearly understands music reproduction
After reading and researching for ages I recently took the plunge and bought 2 of the 1002 amps. I have not yet been able to connect them up as I have to wait for a set of new rubber surrounds for my old Tannoy speakers that I ordered from China a few weeks ago. So you can imagine my eagerness to get them all plugged in and working. Thank you Tim for your valuable input. I too have a likeness for classical music and hearing the bass from acoustic instruments is not always something easily achieved. I am confident that with my limited budget I have made the right choice.
I have 5 of these XLS 1002 and 2 XLS 1502 in my home theater setup playing Anthony Gallo AV1 for LCR and some Adiva TI playing all the surrounds in a Auro 3D setup. Couldn't be happier with and would recommend to anyone looking for amplification without breaking the budget. All amps have a power conditioner inline and using XLR cables and there is ZERO noise. I also like the Speakon connectors and they make hooking up the speaker wire connections a dream.
I have used a Crown XLR 2002 power amp with Maggie LRSs, B & W 703s, & a pair of Monitor Sound Silver 10s. For years I had been using a very heavy dual mono, high current AB amp putting out 150 watts into 8 ohm with a power band with of 20-20,000. The amp will do 300 watts into 4 ohms again from 20-20000. This is not a guess but an actual measurement. The amp always sounded very good. I had auditioned several Class D amps including one that cost north of $1,500. I hated it! The highs were harsh . . . and splashy. I took it back in a week after trying all sorts of ways to improve the sound. Also, I had a bias against "commercial" amps since I had tried several with disappointing results regarding the sound. The point here is that I had a strong bias against the sound of the Crown XLS amp. After hooking this thing up to the LRSs and listening to a number of my "reference" recordings I was shocked. The balance was wonderful. Great detail. Great imaging. The highs were detailed and smooth. I was shocked. Next I tried the Monitor Sound Silvers. They came alive and sounded better than even. Moving to the B & W 703s (older model without the carbon tweeter) and I was simply blown away. I heard no hiss from any of these speakers. (If you have a speaker into the 95 to 100 db efficiency range you might hear some hiss with you ear close to the tweeter but I doubt it will be an issue I drove the LRSs into the mid 90s on peaks (DB, A weighted meter; very uncomfortably loud for my ears) and the amp was just coasting. The same was true of the other 2 pairs of speakers. The 2nd level! of the meters didn't ever light up! No heat. No fan noise. Didn't blow any fuses on the speakers. I had told my salves rep to expect the Crown amp to be returned. After 10 days of enjoying the music with this amp, I called and told him I was not going to be returning this amp.. No problems after about 18 months of every day use. (Not sure what the power band width is on these things since I cannot find that spec on the Crown info but it has more than enough power. Most folks would be happy with the smaller XLS 1002 if the noise isn't an issue.
Question to Steve or anyone else who may know, I've got both the xls 1502 and the four 1002, both listed specifications state 29db gain at full power is that only with the signal knobs turned all the way up, some people yes some say no this is my set up and config the 1502 is on my subs and the 1002s for my fronts and center and sides, all connected via xlr from my outlaw 976 balanced receiver the channel signal from it is set as followed lfe output is set at 0db and the fronts and sides are - 7db and the center is at - 9db all but the subs are 98db efficient, my room is 15ft by 18ft by 8ft
Imagine that. A Crown amplifier that sounds good, and Class D, too. We are living in good times where you can get this kind of performance and package at this price. I never care who makes something, just that it does what I want to do at my price point. I did have go-to brand leanings, but this was because I found them reliable to go to for good performance. I have a Class D amplifier. The first Class D I've used in a serious system. The NAD D 3020 - now almost an antique - is often mentioned to have good synergy with the KEF LS50. And sure enough they do get along very well. I also have some nice Class AB desperate amps. Compared with these, the NAD/KEF synergy stands up well, and for the convenience of the little NAD it's even more attractive.
There is defo snobbery with certain audiophiles..
Well done sir. Might have to try one of these for my Maggie LRS. My Vidar doesn't cut it. When I was doing semi-pro FoH live sound....Crown ruled.
*** Warning *** Do NOT buy these amps! These amps are monsters. They destroy speakers! I have 5 of the XLS 2502's and these things have tremendous power. I have them set up for home theater, 4 of them briged across the subs, left, right, and center speakers and one for the rears in stereo. Maybe an overkill but I have the gain turned way low so that I have ZERO hiss, hum or buzz. These things are super quiet. I have a Denon receiver using the pre outs and the sound is amazing. When the need for power is called for in a movie scene these guys deliver. They will literally knock the wind out of you, I love them. So if you're not careful and bridge these into an unsuspecting speaker you will smell your mistake, you have been warned.
Thanks Tim....excellent review man - very enjoyable 😎. Pleased some here willing to step up....no doubt, not an easy task,, especially as a newcomer.
Just one thing...everybody should be signing off as per Steve......after all...it still is the audiopheliac daily show. 😆😆😆
Great review Tim. Many years ago I owned a pair of Magnepans 1.6 and even though they sound amazing the inability to get very loud sound out of them made me switch to a more standard speaker. Maybe it is time for me to visit the brand.
Depends on what magnepan you play with really .. get a tympani you won’t switch after that so easily
I started a DJ business 5~6 years ago and went with the next step up in the Crown line up - the XTI series 2002. Being in multiple venues on a regular basis I went with the XTI for its monitoring capabilities. I have been very pleased with them and truly believe that as well as bang for the buck that the sound is hard to beat. Great 1st time review.
Love my 6002s for HT sub duty. On 240V, they drive my 4 18" Eminence Tours just fine.
Tim great review, you organized the material well. There has been a ton of great reviews on that line of amps recently. For a budget audiophile system how about one of the 2002 + the Maggie LRS + subs. Might set a new record for SQ per $...
Great job Tim. I’m interested. I’d be curious what you are using as a preamp or switching device between sources.
Thanks! Currently I'm using the Schiit Freya S, in the "Gain 1" mode.
Tim you just started a revolution.Magnepans for everyone.Other reviewers please try this setup.
The XLS Crown is a great class D amp. It has three variable band pass filters, it sounds precise, it’s very adjustable and is easy to use, it’s efficient and very powerful, and I’ve never heard its fan or any other unwanted noises. I am using pair of mono-blocked Crown XLS 1002s @ 1100 watts each to drive a set of Skar DDX15-D2, 1000-watt RMS sub woofers in my home theater. Even though the XLS series of Crown pro amps have RCA ins and a sensitivity adjustment, using them only gives about 60% of the rated power. I needed to run the Crown at full power. So, to solve this issue, I used an ART Cleanbox Pro between my theater amp and the two Crowns. I am also using a Crown XLS 2502 as a mono block to drive another sub. But in this case, the cleanbox is not needed. As this amp alone has plenty enough power to drive any sub or set of standard home speakers.
But how did you connect the sub?
I'm running two 15" subwoofers off of my Crown XLS1002 in stereo mode. The subs are dual 4 ohm voice coil and I have them wired as a 2 ohm load on each channel for maximum power output of 550w/channel. The fan runs frequently but you would never know it since it is completely silent. The subs can handle a little more than the 550w/channel the crown puts out but not sure I need it. At the 3/4 output, I can feel the bass in my chest like a rock concert (with ear plugs in for safety), driving it close to clipping is pretty intense. Once I get an AVR with pre-outs, will use the XLS1002 for the L/R mains and pick up the XLS1502 or maybe the 2002 for the subs for some extra headroom.
yes, a great review, nice and calm, not too long, great job dude
I just got one of these today. Put it into my system where it replaced Trio LM07 monoblocks. I must say it sounds good! Like Tim said there is a tiny amount of hiss if you put your ear to the speaker but you have to put your ear right up to it... otherwise you don't hear it... my only possible complaint is that it might be a smidge more fatiguing to listen to than my monoblocks... time will tell... so far I have only heard 3 albums through it... and like what I hear!
Good job Tim. Thanks man.
sounds like a perfect amp for LRS purchasers ...?
Nice review 👍🏽 Steve I think these are great and you're pretty cool for giving your fans the opportunity. You know (as you would say lol) I think if you followed up with your opinion on the product it would solidify and add credibility one way or the other because your comments are important too. Just a thought...
Well, I mean XLS amps are good for the money, I agree. I'm a pro audio engineer and I build budget systems using these at times. The XLS amps are durable, light, and they last. In some middle of the road systems, I've used XTI amps also. The XTI don't cost much more and they have much better features plus more power. However, the XLS do lack that pure power, dynamic range, and depth, especially when you are pushing them. If you are going to use an amplifer like this in a hifi situation, I recommend doing what he did and run "program power." Program power is double RMS power. Or, even more. These cheap amplifiers don't have power reserves. So, they can only provide a burst over RMS power. Usually Crown amps will burst 2dB over RMS power. A burst is usually about 20ms. So, it is good to look at how you will be listening vs your budget as always. I also in my personal sound system, spec out 20dB of headroom (unused output) so that the speakers are coasting along with very low distortion. I wouldn't spec an XLS amp for anything hifi though. The QSC PLD or CXD series are superior in sound quality and they sound many time more expensive than they are. Out of all the budget amplifiers I've heard, the QSC PLD or CXD probably takes the cake even compared to QSC class A/B counterparts.
Have you compared the QSC GXD which is class D to the GX which is Class B as they call it.im leaning towards GX over crown for front speaker for Atmos system no fan abit noisey
These were probably giant killers before the Hypex NCores came out. Now there doesn't seem much of a point to go for these.
I give Tim an "A+" on his review. Now per say I am a PA guy that has a regular Pioneer stereo at home. I'm the kind of guy that recommends, if it sounds good to your ears and doesn't cost you an arm and a leg then that's the route you need to go. But remember, don't crank a inexpensive stereo like you driving a concert hall. I currently DJ, have now for 40+ years. I have a pair of Crowns, a XLS 1500 & a XLS 2500, I drive them both in stereo mode with the 2500 driving the subs and the 1500 driving the mids & highs. I don't use standard speakers, I use PA grade speakers, all Peavey. My driving force is good sound with good headroom at a reasonable price to me and to the people I DJ for. So far it's been a winning combination. The Crowns Class D's have a winning sound.
Hey, why don’t you explain how did you connect these amps, which pre amp do you use?
Cool thing about these amplifiers is there is a voltage switch so you can use an gear, home or p.a/club dj ect. Use RCAs or 1/4 phono plugs. These amplifiers dont have eqs just low pass and high pass filters or no filter for pure power!!!
I just re-capped an Altec-Lansing 9444a. It was a big job but now have a 200 watts per channel amp with a total investment, including the amp, of $200. The old pro-type a/b amps, if re-capped can sound really good. I also swapped out the NE5532 op amp in the front end for a LM4562 which is specifically designed for audio. I have another op amp on the way to try.
I like your honest opinions please keep doing you tube reviews
This will allow me to buy the Maggie's that I love. Thanks Tim. I can also run my stage monitors off of my mixing board.
I don't see a trigger, are they auto-sensing. I looked the specs up and it's not mentioned.
I have the older XLS 1500's . The new XLS with input voltage switch is a strong reason to buy the new XLS , but
I would say spend the little extra for the bigger amps at least the XLS1502 for the higher signal to noise and
other upgrades . We know nothing can sound better than the sorse you start with , that being said a good
preamp is a big plus I got lucky and found a Mark Levenson for next to nothing . I wouldn't compare the XLS
to the super $30k to $100k amps but for the price you can't do better . Thanks Tim
I purchased a 1502 while my Bryson 4 E is being repaired. It sounds amazing 👍👏
Great job, Tim! Question: How would you compare the PS Audio M700s to the Crowns if the only consideration was sound quality (ignoring crossover control, power ratings, etc.) at low and moderate volumes, especially through your Klipsch speakers? Discernible differences?
In that scenario, I think the M700's would pull ahead. I don't have the M700's here to compare. But, personally, I like tube gear best with the Heresy's. For a while I had a TubeCube 7 (a MiniWatt N3 clone) and for late night listening with the Heresy, it was quite enjoyable.
Tim Bathras Thanks, Tim. I run a PS Audio S300, with a Schiit Freya+ tube front end. I run the Freya in tube mode almost exclusively. My speakers have built-in powered subwoofers, so the amp is not called on for that duty. I’m very happy with the combo, but I am always curious about alternatives. Did you trade in your M700s for any other PS Audio components?
@@chriswells156 If what you have is making you happy, I'd stay stick with it! The PS Stellar amps are fantastic. I don't think you're going to see any gains from the Crown.
You cant go wrong with any of the XLS series. And if you don't like it or you out grow it, you can always get pretty much what you paid for it at a later date.
would one of these sound better than my Pioneer VSX-D1S, i know the crown has more power, but the THD% is higher? just asking
I haven't any clue, but to one of my points in the video, if you're near anything like a Guitar Center or other Pro Audio shop, you can walk in and pick one up - be sure to check on their return policy first - but most places give you at least 7 or 14 days for a return window. But also to mention, this is just a power amp and your Pioneer is a receiver, I'm not sure if it has pre-outs to feed the Crown or if you'd need a separate pre-amp, too.
@@timbathras2660 thanks, i do remember you saying that, i might give it a try, i love what i'm running now but was looking for more power (overhead), the Pioneer is about 130 wpc 8 ohms, i'm running Polk SDA 2bs, which might need more power, i don't know, great review and video
There are many variables there but my Harmon Kardon has a much lower thd. @ 1W /1M where it is rated and my Crowns especially at higher volume
sound much better noticeably , but are so clean even at low levels . Crown is made by Harmon . If you look the Crown is
not rated at 1W at 1 Meter , it is .5 THD at rated output , big big difference . I called Harmon before I bought mine and asked what they were at 1w/1M they told me it would be so low it wasn't reasonable to measure it . Most class AB amps go up
significantly at rated output . But all amps go up as the volume goes up so .5 THD at rated output is super low .
Spencer Boaz thank you for taking the time to explain about the THD and your correspondence with Harman.
Tim is a really great reviewer!
I have klipsch rp-150m bookshelf’s and a crown xls used and it hisses a little bit if your listening at any volume you don’t hear hissing or anything you don’t want to hear
I have a Crown XLS1502 fed from a Cambridge Audio DACMagic Plus over XLR, feeding a pair of KEF LS50 Meta, and it sounds extremely good. Also with a sub.
Very enjoyable review. I would give more time to sound quality and descriptions of sound. I understand that is probably the most difficult aspect of reviewing but his experience as a musician should give him a wide range of adjectives to describe sound.
Thanks! I explicitly didn't go over that much because Zero Fidelity did a great review on the 2502 and they share much the same sound characteristics.
@Jason Sypher I didn't think it was negative at all; I appreciate your feedback!
Great review! I run a Crown XLS2502 with KEF LS50’s + REL T7i and love the pairing. I am planning to get Maggies in the future and was wondering if the Crown amps would be a good match and this review helps a lot with the decision making process.
I play with magnepan tympani I speakers, I have a xls2502 I tried it, my main amps sound better than the crown. But there is also a huge gap in price there.
I use it to drive two jbl jrx 18 inch subs, it’s a ridiculously good amp. Build in crossovers, tons of power
@@MichelLinschoten Thanks for the feedback Michael! Would you mind sharing the name of the amp that you enjoy more with the Maggies? Hoping to get mine later this year :)
Woo fellow trombonist (sure it's been a while for me but still)! Excellent review!
Hi Tom is the Freya s great. I have lrs and bought bifrost dac and loving it.
Great job Tim. Do you do reviews for a living?
Thanks! No, this is my first, but have had the idea rattling around in my head for a while.
Wow thanks. I was recently looking at purchasing some LRS. And I have some DIY Audio Nirvana 12's so this may work for both.
I am going to run the same speakers (1.7’s) but was looking at the 2502 just to have the single
chassis. Is there an advantage to running the dual 1002’s instead? Also are these ok to run into a power conditioner or do you recommend straight into the wall? Also, you keep mentioning “value for the money.” I have other class d amps that are more expensive (yet affordable) that do 600w into 4 ohms stereo but not sure how the Crowns might compare. I will be running my RME ADI-2 FS dac direct in via XLR. Lastly, is there a D/A conversion happening in the amp? Also a musician BTW LOL:) Thanks!!
Nice set up, 2502 will run 775 watts in a 4 Ohm load effortlessly. amp is very fast and will feel live performance level.
Dang Tim. Good job!!
Zero Fidelity Thanks! I was inspired by your review of the 2502 which was spot on.
I saw Zero Fidelity’s review and was turned off to the Crown models because of his comment about the noise floor. Tim, after seeing your excellent review I am again interested, especially because of the pairing these amps with the Maggies.
I enjoyed Tim's review.