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Author Topic: Bridging Amps to Power Mains  (Read 9050 times)

Derek Van Winkle

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Bridging Amps to Power Mains
« on: August 05, 2011, 11:22:33 AM »

Is this a practical thing to do? I've never been a big fan of it, but I just got a project that has already purchased all the amps and enclosures. The only way to effectively power the system is to bridge the amps (Crest CPX 3s) down to 4 ohms and run the enclosures (Peavey ILS 1594s) two per amp.

Any thoughts?
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Charlie Zureki

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Re: Bridging Amps to Power Mains
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2011, 08:00:26 AM »

Is this a practical thing to do? I've never been a big fan of it, but I just got a project that has already purchased all the amps and enclosures. The only way to effectively power the system is to bridge the amps (Crest CPX 3s) down to 4 ohms and run the enclosures (Peavey ILS 1594s) two per amp.

Any thoughts?

  Hello Derek,

   Most Amps will operate perfectly fine in the Bridged mode at 4 ohms, but, I am not a big fan of operating an Amplifier Bridged at 2 ohms. 

  Also.. many Amp models do not even have a spec for a 2ohm Bridged configuration....meaning they advise against this scheme.

   Good luck and have fun

   Hammer
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Marty McCann

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Re: Bridging Amps to Power Mains
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2011, 12:42:15 PM »

Is this a practical thing to do? I've never been a big fan of it, but I just got a project that has already purchased all the amps and enclosures. The only way to effectively power the system is to bridge the amps (Crest CPX 3s) down to 4 ohms and run the enclosures (Peavey ILS 1594s) two per amp.

Any thoughts?


The Crest CPX is not rated at 4 Ohms Bridged.  It may work for you, but if hit hard it may trip its breaker. 
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Brad Weber

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Re: Bridging Amps to Power Mains
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2011, 03:12:58 PM »

I believe he was addressing the old CPX 3.0, which was rated at 3,000W (EIA)  for a 4 Ohm load in bridge mode, and it driving two 8 Ohm speakers for a total 4 Ohm load.  However, I would verify that this is the "only way to effectively power the system" as running one speaker per channel would seem to result in less output but would be easier on the amp and more flexible.
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duane massey

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Re: Bridging Amps to Power Mains
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2011, 04:32:21 PM »

Even searching the PV site I could not find any info on the ILS 1594s speaker, but did find the Sanctuary series equivalent. Same with Crest, neither site seems to support any discontinued products, unless I'm using incorrect model #'s.

That being said, I'm with Brad on this one, it seems that bridging would be significant overkill, but running dual channel would be a better solution.
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Duane Massey
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Brad Weber

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Re: Bridging Amps to Power Mains
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2011, 06:54:54 PM »

Even searching the PV site I could not find any info on the ILS 1594s speaker, but did find the Sanctuary series equivalent. Same with Crest, neither site seems to support any discontinued products, unless I'm using incorrect model #'s.
ILS 1594: http://peavey.com/assets/literature/manuals/80304892.pdf

The CPX 3.0 is older and apparently not on Crest's site, however I found some older discussions that seemed to agree on the specs, http://www.sonicstate.com/news/2006/07/25/snamm06-3000-watts-of-amp-power/ and http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/crest-cpx-3-0-power-amp-465525/.

I have a feeling that with a 750W Continuous/1,500W Program rating for the speakers what may be happening is trying to get the Program power for each speaker or 3,000W at 4 Ohms for the two speakers in parallel.  However, that only applies if one actually needs the output that can provide and if less output is acceptable then one speaker per channel seems to make more sense.
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duane massey

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Re: Bridging Amps to Power Mains
« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2011, 07:48:55 PM »

Thanks, Brad. For some reason my searches on PV's site do not seem to be successful. I tried "ILS 1594" and came up empty. I blame Congress...
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Duane Massey
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Marty McCann

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Re: Bridging Amps to Power Mains
« Reply #7 on: August 09, 2011, 10:35:36 AM »

Thanks, Brad. For some reason my searches on PV's site do not seem to be successful. I tried "ILS 1594" and came up empty. I blame Congress...

The search by Text block is lacking.  Best searches for archived products is here:  http://www.peavey.com/support/searchmanuals/archived.cfm
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duane massey

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Re: Bridging Amps to Power Mains
« Reply #8 on: August 09, 2011, 04:19:39 PM »

Thanks, Marty, I'll try that next time.
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Duane Massey
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Houston, Texas

Derek Van Winkle

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Re: Bridging Amps to Power Mains
« Reply #9 on: August 13, 2011, 09:32:55 AM »

I have a feeling that with a 750W Continuous/1,500W Program rating for the speakers what may be happening is trying to get the Program power for each speaker or 3,000W at 4 Ohms for the two speakers in parallel.  However, that only applies if one actually needs the output that can provide and if less output is acceptable then one speaker per channel seems to make more sense.
[/quote]

I don't think the venue would ever see using 1500w per box but it would need more than 825w. So I'm stuck with bridging the amps.

On another note, do any of you sell discontinued equipment? Almost everything in this install that was already purchased has been discontinued...amps, speakers, mics, mixer...and it's all Peavey.
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ProSoundWeb Community

Re: Bridging Amps to Power Mains
« Reply #9 on: August 13, 2011, 09:32:55 AM »


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