DJzone DJ Magazine

Crown International is introducing its new Xs Series power amplifiers at the Summer NAMM trade show in Nashville. Designed with mobile DJs, musicians and regional tour companies in mind, the Xs 500, 700, 900 and 4300 offer compact, lightweight, 2U designs along with very aggressive price points.

"The Xs Series is Crown's first full amplifier line for the retail market featuring a Crown- designed switch-mode power supply," says Bob Lichty, Crown International market director for MI and recording. "These amplifiers provide the features and price points that our pro-user customers have been asking for."

The two-channel Xs 500, 700 and 900 all combine first-class reliability with a number of notable features. Each model is housed in a rugged, all-steel chassis and employs efficient forced-air fans to prevent excessive thermal buildup. Front panels sport dual precision-detented level controls, a power switch and ten LEDs, which indicate signal and clip for each channel, bridge mode, power, AC mains present, temp and fault conditions. Rear panel connections include two Neutrik Combo inputs, allowing balanced XLR or 1/4-inch connections, barrier strip inputs, two XLR male outputs for daisy-chaining, plus touch-proof binding post, Speakon® and Phoenix outputs.

The four-channel Xs 4300 enjoys the same feature set, with twice the front panel indicators and controls, combo inputs and touch-proof binding post outputs. The 4300 can be run as four independent channels, or each pair of channels may be bridged to operate as a two or three-channel higher power amplifier when needed.

The new Xs models also employ extensive protection and diagnostics capabilities, including output current limiting, DC protection, circuit breaker, and special thermal protection of the units' transformers.

Like all of Crown's amplifiers, Xs products are backed by the manufacturer's industry-exclusive Three-Year, No-Fault, Fully Transferable Warranty.

Power ratings per channel and suggested US retail pricing on the new Crown Xs Series are as follows:

Xs 500: 750W at 2 Ohms, 500W at 4 Ohms, 400W at 8 Ohms, $989
Xs 700: 900W at 2 Ohms, 750W at 4 Ohms, 450W at 8 Ohms, $1,299
Xs 900: 1200W at 2 Ohms, 900W at 4 Ohms, 600W at 8 Ohms, $1,459
Xs 4300: 300W at 4 Ohms, 200W at 8 Ohms, $1,619