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In a Class of Their Own
The secret to the EPX series’
incredible power-to-weight ratio is their use of a switching-mode power
supply combined with Class-H topology. Switching-mode power supplies
work on demand. Instead of constantly working at full power and
dissipating excess power as heat, they only ramp up the power output
when needed—thousands of times per second. Considerably more efficient
than traditional power supplies, switching-mode power supplies are
small and light, yet deliver ample power.
Think of a Class H amp as a car with two engines (in amps, you
call them “rails”). One engine runs all the time. The other runs only
when musical peaks demand extra power output. An EPX Class H amp only
generates a fraction more power than is immediately needed while the
output stage operates at its maximum efficiency all the time.
And just like in
today’s hybrid cars, the efficiency of this dual system is far greater
than having one engine or rail that must operate all the time. EPX amps
don’t waste power. Class H amps don’t waste power, require much smaller
heat sinks and much lighter power transformers.
Accelerated Transient Response Delivers the Knock-Out Punch
It takes huge pulses of energy
(current and voltage) to propel a woofer cone out fast enough to match
a bass beat. That’s called Transient Response and it’s the holy grail
of amp designers. By carefully selecting transistors with extremely
high slew rates and optimizing other proprietary parts of our
circuitry, our amps are able to react instantly to even the most
demanding electronic bass impulses. If the woofers in your PA system
can keep up, your audience will hear a tighter, crisper, more natural
sound.
Instead of operating
relatively continuously like Class AB circuits, Class H amps, which
were first described in NASA technology (U.S. patent 3,319,175),
feature rail tracking for effectively modulating the power supply rails
with only the peaks of the input signal. This technology has
revolutionized pro audio amp designs with its outstanding performance
and efficiency. When combined with switching-mode power supplies that
replace heavy toroid transformers, our new designs provide more dynamic
punch and, because they are so much more efficient, run cooler and
don’t require huge, heavy heat sinks.
BEHRINGER didn’t
invent Class H technology, but our R&D Department has been working
for years to perfect our own version, creating lightweight amps that
run cool and also achieve our goal of Accelerated Transient Response.
Everything You Need
The simple front panel controls of these amps give you all of your
sound’s vital signs at a glance. After pressing the Power Button, the
POWER LED will light when the amp is ready for action. Both channels
have independent gain dials as well as clip LEDs that indicate when the
signal is distorted and you need to reduce the gain. There are also
SIGNAL LEDs that light up when a signal is present at the input.
Panel Discussion
The simple front panel controls
of these amps give you all of your sound’s vital signs at a glance.
After pressing the Power Button, the POWER LED will light when the amp
is ready for action. Both channels have independent gain dials as well
as clip LEDs that indicate when the signal is distorted and you need to
reduce the gain. There are also SIGNAL LEDs that light up when a signal
is present at the input. The
EPX series’ INPUTs accept balanced XLR, 1/4" TRS, and unbalanced 1/4"
TS and RCA connections. Take your pick of professional locking speaker
outputs or touch-proof binding posts to securely connect speakers.
A panel of switches
found on the back offers an array of cool options applicable to both
channels. The Clip Limiter lets you get even more out of the amplifier
without overdriving either it or your speaker system. Built-in
circuitry automatically senses when the amp is being overdriven into
“clipping” and then momentarily reduces the input level to avoid
clipping distortion. This all happens in a few thousandths of a second,
so it’s an inaudible way of avoiding audible clipping distortion. Of
course, you can turn the Limiter off if you’re feeling lucky.
The same panel
contains the switches that allow you to put these amps to work in
either mono, stereo (two-channel mode) or bridge mode, which is always
in mono. A built-in CROSSOVER switch lets you select the point at which
highs and lows are separated (CH1<100Hz / CH2>100 Hz or
FULLRANGE).
BEHRINGER’s EPX line is built for the working musician. It’s much
easier to transport than a conventional AB power amp, it packs ample
power, it’s got a built-in crossover and limiter, and it’s built to
last through all the rigors of the road. Plus its light price tag will
leave you with enough cash left over to acquire more stuff to amplify!
Check out an EPX and find out why BEHRINGER power amps are among the
most popular on Earth.
Callouts
Hookup Diagram - Stereo vs. Mono
Hookup Diagram - Bi-Amp Mode
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