Real world amp tests

[audiofanaticz]

but but but the amps are the same board so it has to be the same.......

[Karkov]

Lol, that was not what i was getting at. I was just curious if the exact model amps he tested had VERY similar layouts or why he brought it up. Not even here to argue, just here to learn and see tests. =)

[Afficionado]

Curious how the boards compare via a photo hint hint (SQ 2200 & Hifonics 2400)

Also, has he tested a SQ 3500? Just curious

i just happened to have a SQ 2200 on hand, that's how we happened to be able to test it, and after testing it, I will probably shy away from a 3500. Unless someone wants to ship one this way.

He has side by sides in the video, so you'll get to see that (they're nearly identical.)

but but but the amps are the same board so it has to be the same.......

boards are the same, and the amps basically are too..

Lol, that was not what i was getting at. I was just curious if the exact model amps he tested had VERY similar layouts or why he brought it up. Not even here to argue, just here to learn and see tests. =)

yes, they are VERY similar...basically the same amps with different names.

the ONE thing I will give the soundqubed is that if he could sustain 14.4v on a dynamic test, it would probably do rated power of 2200w, but the hifonics probably would not live up to its power of 2400w.

[WillistonAudioLabs]

Same boards, same layout, same value capacitors, same (or very similar) fets...very similar toroid windings...what else could make these different power output wise?

[Afficionado]

Same boards, same layout, same value capacitors, same (or very similar) fets...very similar toroid windings...what else could make these different power output wise?

Did you check out the picture I posted in the old school for sale thread?

He put my XTR 475 on the dyno for me. It did pretty sweet!

I posted the picture as a comment on my for sale post for the amp.

[audiofanaticz]

You can take 2 amplifiers from the same company and dyno both them and have 2 completely different wattage's.

Look at all the RF t40001bds for a perfect example.

You could do that test with a Sundown 4500, Crescendo BC5500, Skar 4500, and the DC 5.0k.

One of those amps could stomp the other 3 in the test, but just because lets say the Crescendo amp was 400 watts more than the others, doesnt mean that every other Crescendo BC5500 will always do more power over the other 3 using the similar layout.

Even if all amps ran the same exact parts and the only thing that was different was the said heatsink, you will notice a huge difference in output just due to the tolerances in the parts from different batches because usually for a part to be deemed good it has to be with in say 5% of its actual value.

It seems a lot of people look past this and just assume that because 1 amp from thousands does rated power, it doesnt mean they all do, some may do under, some may do well over rated. The only way to be guaranteed that all amplifiers in the same line meet said wattage claims from the manufacture is to heavily underrate them, again the RF t40001bds are a perfect example of just that with some amps doing over 5200wrms out of an amplifier rated for 4000wrms.

[Afficionado]

You can take 2 amplifiers from the same company and dyno both them and have 2 completely different wattage's.

Look at all the RF t40001bds for a perfect example.

You could do that test with a Sundown 4500, Crescendo BC5500, Skar 4500, and the DC 5.0k.

One of those amps could stomp the other 3 in the test, but just because lets say the Crescendo amp was 400 watts more than the others, doesnt mean that every other Crescendo BC5500 will always do more power over the other 3 using the similar layout.

Even if all amps ran the same exact parts and the only thing that was different was the said heatsink, you will notice a huge difference in output just due to the tolerances in the parts from different batches because usually for a part to be deemed good it has to be with in say 5% of its actual value.

It seems a lot of people look past this and just assume that because 1 amp from thousands does rated power, it doesnt mean they all do, some may do under, some may do well over rated. The only way to be guaranteed that all amplifiers in the same line meet said wattage claims from the manufacture is to heavily underrate them, again the RF t40001bds are a perfect example of just that with some amps doing over 5200wrms out of an amplifier rated for 4000wrms.

You are correct. but they all will be in a "range", there won't be any t4000's doing 1000 or 9000 watts. They may do a range from 5000-5400 (random, arbitrary numbers to make my point).

[WillistonAudioLabs]

You can take 2 amplifiers from the same company and dyno both them and have 2 completely different wattage's.

Look at all the RF t40001bds for a perfect example.

You could do that test with a Sundown 4500, Crescendo BC5500, Skar 4500, and the DC 5.0k.

One of those amps could stomp the other 3 in the test, but just because lets say the Crescendo amp was 400 watts more than the others, doesnt mean that every other Crescendo BC5500 will always do more power over the other 3 using the similar layout.

Even if all amps ran the same exact parts and the only thing that was different was the said heatsink, you will notice a huge difference in output just due to the tolerances in the parts from different batches because usually for a part to be deemed good it has to be with in say 5% of its actual value.

It seems a lot of people look past this and just assume that because 1 amp from thousands does rated power, it doesnt mean they all do, some may do under, some may do well over rated. The only way to be guaranteed that all amplifiers in the same line meet said wattage claims from the manufacture is to heavily underrate them, again the RF t40001bds are a perfect example of just that with some amps doing over 5200wrms out of an amplifier rated for 4000wrms.

Great point! I'd also argue you would NOT be able to audibly hear the difference from two exact amplifiers (caps/fets/power supply) even with the 5-8% possible output difference. It sure is fun to compare the numbers though! AMM-1 and AD-1 FTW!!

[Karkov]

Seems like the SQ 2200 board is similar looking (for what it's worth, yes components could be different quality) to the Hifonics 2400

Seems like the SQ 3500 board is similar to (for what it's worth, yes components could be different quality) DDm4 ?? true or not true?

gaining insight, not arguing.

[audiofanaticz]

You are correct. but they all will be in a "range", there won't be any t4000's doing 1000 or 9000 watts. They may do a range from 5000-5400 (random, arbitrary numbers to make my point).

I mean, no reputable company will make a 1000watt rms amp and sell it as a 4000watt rms amp. So I guess that doesnt reallly make your point, all it does is show how bad some companies are like those 1180 watt sonys that are 35watts by 4. LOL

However there are birthsheets for the t40001bd that are like 4300wrms at 1ohm and rather low, while others are very high. From some of the amps your talking a 1600wrms difference which is something most wont hear side by side listening to them, but a Term-Lab will surely point it out.

Here is one for 4500 @ 1ohm from a user on the forums here