Crown Audio is re-defining professional multi-channel power amplifiers, introducing their new flagship I-Tech HD Series 4x3500HD DriveCore Series 4-channel power amplifier. The “HD4,” as it is nicknamed, incorporates Crown’s sixth-generation Class I engine with DriveCore™ technology to deliver 3,500 watts per channel burst into four or two ohms.
Like previous I-Tech HD amps, it provide exclusive Harman HiQnet System Architect™ 2.0 control functionality to implement Performance Manager and Version 5 DSP preset support for JBL Professional’s VerTec Series of line array loudspeakers, as well as JBL’s upcoming VTX Series.
It offers a host of Crown’s most advanced features including a 4.3-inch TFT LCD with capacitive touchscreen, which provides amplifier monitoring and access to key functions with color-keyed visuals resembling the at-a-glance FaderGlow indicators used on Soundcraft and Studer mixing consoles.
The Crown I-Tech 4x3500HD delivers 1,900 watts per channel into eight ohms, 2,000 watts per channel into four ohms and a massive 4,000 watts into four ohms bridged with all channels driven at full bandwidth, all from an amplifier that’s just two rack spaces high.
This power to size ratio is made possible by Crown’s exclusive DriveCore amplifier integrated circuit chip. The DriveCore IC combines the amplifier driver stage and the power output stage (along with additional audio-signal functions), to dramatically reduce overall size and power-consumption requirements and yield energy-efficient operation that conforms to Harman International’s GreenEdge™ environmental initiative.
DriveCore technology also gives the I-Tech 4x3500HD the ability to better control and more quickly recover from high-voltage transients, for a highly accurate reproduction of the input signal and better low-frequency response.
A common concern among tour and installed sound professionals is the relative lack of inputs and outputs on DSP-enabled power amplifiers. The I-Tech 4x3500HD provides an ideal real-world solution with its four analog inputs, four direct AES3 digital inputs plus four AES inputs over VDrive, or alternatively the ability to route four CobraNet inputs over VDrive. I-Tech HD is the only series of amps providing both AES and CobraNet connectivity as standard.
The amplifier is provided with a choice of either SpeakON or banana-plug/binding-post output speaker connectors, and both employ a Neutrik PowerCon 32 Amp AC input chassis connector to prevent the power cord from coming loose in transit.
The SpeakON version of the amplifier provides two NL-4 connectors, with one supplying the first pair of channels, the other supplying the second pair of channels and below them, an NL-8 distributing all four channels of the amplifier.
The Crown I-Tech 4x3500HD provides more DSP sound-tailoring capability than any other amplifier on the market. Its proprietary BSS OmniDriveHD processing engine employs 32bit/192kHz A/D and D/A converters for superb sonic clarity and the ability to precisely tailor the amplifier’s audio output. Crown’s exclusive linear phase FIR and IIR filters provide optimized loudspeaker crossover points with improved midrange clarity and off-axis loudspeaker response.
The 4x3500HD amplifier is compatible with JBL’s HiQnet Performance Manager sound reinforcement system design software, a workflow-oriented application that facilitates the design and operation of touring and live performance sound systems.
The implementation of JBL Version 5 DSP preset tunings for VerTec Series loudspeakers employs the I-Tech 4x3500HD’s FIR filters to improve the loudspeakers’ sound quality and horizontal coverage performance. For enhanced control and monitoring capabilities, the amplifier is also compatible with the “Powered By Crown” iPad/iPhone application.
“The I-Tech 4x3500HD DriveCore Series offers control, connectivity, DSP and system interfacing capabilities that have never been available in a professional high-power multi-channel amplifier before,” said Brian Pickowitz, market manager, tour sound for Crown. “We designed it entirely without compromise to be the most flexible and useful multi-channel amplifier on the market today.”
“The I-Tech 4x3500HD will be an integral part of our turnkey system package for the upcoming VTX flagship full-size enclosure, as well as a powerful, versatile platform that allows VerTec to achieve it’s full performance potential using V5 processing,” added Paul Bauman, senior manager, tour sound for JBL Professional.
The I-Tech 4x3500HD incorporates a host of additional useful features including Crown’s innovative LevelMax limiter technology that combines the operation of the amplifier’s Peak, Thermal and RMS limiters for more effective protection.
It also retains I-Tech HD’s front-panel USB port that enables users to load preset amplifier settings or device files and update firmware. Between the USB port and the single illuminated rotary encoder are four vertical 5-segment LED meters.
The I-Tech 4x3500HD is well suited to powering pairs of VT4889 and VT4888 enclosures with a single amp, using two channels for the lows, another for mids and the fourth for highs. It will be featured in the upcoming Crown Audio VRack 4×3500, creating an amplifier rack that is complementary to the current VRack 12000 that is loaded with three stereo I-Tech HD 12000 amps.
“With VRack 12000 and VRack 4×3500, we will have two V5-enabled system platforms that are ideal for VerTec or VTX and with no compromises in powering either sub or low sections. Due to the VTX’s significantly higher LF section power handling capacity, two V25 enclosures in parallel per IT4x3500HD are recommended for nominal operation and IT12000HD is optimum for VTX G28 and S28 subwoofers with one subwoofer per channel, operated at 4 ohms”, explained Bauman.
The I-Tech 4x3500HD is clearly Crown’s premium touring amp. Both national vendors and regional companies looking to implement Performance Manager and JBL’s new Version 5 VerTec presets to satisfy updated rider requirements for the growing “racks and stacks” market will find upgrading to a set of 4x3500HD amps the quickest and easiest way to offer Version 5. At the same time, a single VRack 4×3500 will power up to 6 VTX V25 enclosures or 12 bi-amp wedges. A single VRack 12000 will power six VTX G28 or S28 subwoofers or three VTX V25 plus two G28 or S28.
