QSC or Matrix???

I'm constantly weighing up the different options for the new amp rack....for the money we have I have always thought that the RMX series were pretty good but after trawling the forum I'm not so sure. The behringer ep's seem to have nearly identical internals although I've always been wary of behringer for build quality etc. I emailed QSC and asked what they would recomend for 150w @ 16ohm and they said the rmx 1450 although my by calculations the output would be 156w @ 16ohm is that cutting it too fine? i know I need about 30% headroom on the bass but what about the top......so that leaves matrix, heard good reports and for the money they seem fair but what would you guys do QSC or matrix??

thats what I thought about the headroom although with the top/mid it is less of an issue than with the bass....only thing is I don't know if I can bring myself to drive turbosound with behringer!!!!! We have started to hire it out and I'd feel a bit cheap specing behringer.....they may do the job but there is an ammount of perception that surrounds behringer as a make......the other ones I have been looking at are the crown XLS range...although budget you do get a decent warranty...they seem light enough and crown are a decent brand

Edited by solution - 07 August 2007 at 10:12am

Your right about the reputation of gear like behringer. I'd use their amps myself, but others might turn their nose up at them. If you can afford the QSC or Crown, then i'd probably (in your situation) go for them. They have a better reputation especially if your gear spec is important when hiring out, and will probably last longer.

About the power rating. Its all personal preference imo. You could go for an amp that matches the power rating of your top end, or go for a bigger amp. All depends how confident you are on your abilities to look after your speakers. In the wrong hands, a more powerful amp will destroy your top end. In the right hands, it will provide more headroom for a cleaner signal. You would need to be sure you had it all set right and limiters etc set right.

Im in a similar position, gonna be powering some 2" and a couple of bullets per side. Im looking for an amp probably 300w per side @ 16ohm. Not that i will ever run that much through them, just like to run the amps on simmer rather than full tilt.

j_0_e wrote: get the berry and paint QSC on them... :D

if you can afford the qsc what is the point in spending out twice in the long on amplifiers you know you're going to use. You have already stated you would feel guilty about specking berry to potential customers especially as you are supplying them with a very prestigious loudspeaker.

Buy once and you will save money in the long run as the behringer i can only presume is not going to retain its value very well where as a second hand qsc//crown etc will.

my 2ps worth

I have owned both QSCand matrix, and would go with matrix every time. The build quality far exceeds the price, and they are rated in real watts not "Chinese watts".

Edited by markie - 08 August 2007 at 12:26pm