Greg Drinkwater Agreed! I am using a pair of the XLS1502 in bridge mode, with Banana Plug 12awg cables, to power my Wharfedale Linton Heritage speakers paired with dual SVS SB3000 Subwoofers and ... OMG! ... the artists are in the room with me! I am now a believer in the Crown XLS Drivecore 2 series amplifiers!

So THAT'S why those are there! PITA.

@@jimshaw899 that they are, a total pita!

yep. i have one too. will accept banana plugs. you just have to remove the caps.

@Ikea Lamp agreed! I tried using drywall screws and it made my life a lot easier. You carefully drive the screw into the plug with a screwdriver and pull it out with pliers. It destroys the plug/cap, but I'm just throwing them away so it's okay. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/j6ibnap80J_DqJc.html

What can I use to just power shelf speakers? And this crown on a 18" sub.

Will V awesome!! What speakers are you powering with them? Thanks.

@@bobpfeiffer9745 I'm using JBL's for the fronts and sub, Klipsch for the center and rear. No sides as my apartment is quite small and with this setup the walls want to expand on their own, lol. P.S. My neighbors really dislike the movie U-571🙉

This is the comment I'm looking for. I have 11.4.3 and soon to be even more. I need more power for my lcr. I'm currently 10-12 feet away from them. The processor isn't enough to get the b&w 702 to a desirable immersion level. I need more chooch😅

Hey can you post your findings here please.

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/iOCJjbyStZaRZoE.html

But in Europe, you need to remove a safety plug to enable the use of banana plugs. But it is removable plug, so you can use with banana plugs.

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/iOCJjbyStZaRZoE.html

@@Gadgetdad007 That is just to tell that if you need tons of power, then XLS drivecore 2 might not be the best choice. But for most speakers they are more than capable.

@@Gadgetdad007 Crown might be somewhat optimistic about the power rating, but they also have a power rating guide which tells for what kind of power you need, how much watts you need. And if you need 200 watts, you should have 400 to keep the sound quality as good as possible.

@land otter1 Crown gives hiss in the tweeter element. Unless you have a crazy efficient speakers, you will not be bothered about it. You have to take your ears close to the speakers to really hear it.

Yeah, he really has to test those amps. Hypex modules are really well regarded in the audiophile community, I probably will end up with a pair of NC400 monoblocks which seem to outperform most of the stuff in that price range

@@juliangst I am looking into the NC400s too. Any input on pairing them with JRX215s or any other pairing?

@@tassostsoutis601 I never had jrx215 sorry xD

@@juliangst thanks for the reply

@Richard NZ yes right around 500 hz, listen to Tube amps and compare VTL. Conrad Johnson, Lamm Audio

Yes, if you like tube character, that is one way to accomplish it.

How are the LS50's with the Crown? I am debating looking into LS50's as an upgrade to my current setup. Currently have SVS Ultra bookshelf speakers, Crown XLS 1502 amplifier, and a Schiit Saga tube preamp. I have just heard they are sensitive to their front end.

YitbosSwede I have LS50 with Crown 2502 in two different rooms of my home so really like the pairing but they need a warm sounding preamp to make things sound great in my opinion.

@@CaptainCrunch823 Thanks! I actually found a good local deal on them and am going to pull the trigger. Going to see if the tubes I have are enough to give some warmth. The SVS were fine with all 5 tubes, but I have been demoing ML Motion 35XT's and Triangle Titus EZ's, and they are more limited to what tubes, or if passive mode, sounds better. I was able to find favorites for them all, so I think I have a few ideas for when I get the LS50's hooked up this weekend.

@@YitbosSwede After these years, how did this system work out for you? I'm considering this set up.

Hey Roberto Shinjiro Ruiz Antonetti I have the same amp and speakers. I measured them using Dirac Live and noticed an audible rising response in the treble which I was able to measure using Dirac Live. I’ve read this can happen with electrostats when there is not enough current (not watts). I am now using an Adcom 5500. It sounds smoother and measures flatter. You might want to try a high current class AB amp. I am keeping the crown however because it is great to have around!

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/iOCJjbyStZaRZoE.html

@@kenlemieux855 Adcom GFA 5500 has instantaneous output current limiting set to 27A (peak) which allows about 19A rms. That's the same as the Crown is spec'd for. Some Class D amps do have a high-end peak in frequency response but that's due to the output filter and feedback design - nothing to do with current capability.

@Ratt Wood love it! Listening right now. Schitt Freya and Zu DW. Blissful.

@Ratt Wood i don’t have any knowledge of your gear. Amazon has a nice return policy though.

I just bought an XLS 1502 to run my Polk Audio LSiM 705's. I am streaming Spotify through a Raspberry Pi 4 with an Allo DigiOne Signature top hat. I'm feeding a Topping E30 DAC with Coax and the DAC feeds the Crown 1502. Everything sounds great! I am running the Streamer and DAC off battery power and the Amp is plugged into a Furman Power strip/filter. I don't hear a background hiss. The noise floor sounds very low.

If the output/gain knobs are set to the 12 o'clock position will that reduce the available power to less than the rated power?

Yeah, dynamics are amazing. People often forget that if they are listening at say 85dB, there could be dynamic bursts of say 30dB. If running a 50w speaker, even with 100w amplifier the dynamic range is really stunted by the power requirements needed for those sudden dynamics. Not a problem for the Crown whatsoever. Even with A/B comparisons, to my ears nothing really warrants the outlay over this thing to my ears, some do things a lot better at higher prices, but not that's made me think I need to buy them. And I think a massive part of that is due to the dynamic range, not something many will have experienced to the same degree unless they have ran amplifier's with so much headroom. Lol, imagine trying to have that dynamic range with the typical Audiophile recognised brands, would need to spend 10's or even 100's over the price of the Crown.

@@crashkdw Funny, I did find it dry and thin but if you are used to a Yamaha Receiver it would sound much more robust.

I too have a pair of LS50's with an XLS1500, and it definitely works. Not a hint of harshness, bass has great control, sweet detailed highs, just the kind of power the Kef needs!

We need an "AudioSins".

Hey It's been a year since your comment. What do you think about Crown 2502 now? Do you still regard it as the best amp you've ever had? Many thanks

A buddy has a pair of these (total overkill, but whatever) to drive his two 15" subs. No kidding, when he cranks it, the hit can alter your heartbeat and dust starts coming down from his popcorn ceiling - LMAO. It is freakin' visceral - potential death by subsonic...

hiss?

I agree as well. These sound surprisingly good and even better when price is considered. I was fairly impressed when my XLS 2502 was connected to a pre-out on an older Onkyo TX-SV7M receiver and out to JBL studio 590's. It sounded very good for the price. What blew me away is when I connected it to my PS Audio PCA-2 pre-amp via XLR cables and using a Marantz SA 8004 super audio CD player and again using the JBL Studio 590's. Clarity, dynamics, tight controlled bass, smooth clean midrange, and everyone that sits in "the seat" instantly starts searching for the non existent center speaker. Best center imaging I've ever had but I also used Paul Mcgowens book " The Audiophiles Guide" as reference for placement and setup. I really don't mean to boast so much about this amp but in my system it absolutely shines. It made me halt my purchase of a used PS Audio HCA-2 to match the pre-amp. Also the PCA-2 pre-amp is a big factor in this equation in that it is so life like, clean, delicate, crisp even at extreme volume levels. The HCA-2 for me removed the very tiny bit of shrill on the top end also. Well recorded live music almost truly feels like live music. For me there is no part of the sound spectrum that is exaggerated or lacking because of the amp. I'm not here to claim that the XLS 2502 is the best. I'm just saying that it matches extremely well with my modest audiophile set up.

That's what I thought! Thanks

Can't believe he wouldn't know that

Zero, I wonder if he'll comment and edit the review with sub titles giving you credit. When I looked at it I thought the same because I had to pull the same type of caps off my speakers. They're some kind of safety feature other countries require/use from my understanding.

And of course angled pin SPEAKER connectors can be used

I have a QSC GX3 and i just compared it today to my Bryston 3bst on B&W606 speakers and a 10" sub driving it with a Rotel preamp and Rotel cd player. Wasnt as refined as the Bryston but it wasnt embarrased either, especially for 1/5th the price. Many people could be very happy with it.

Thomas & Stereo it be interesting since you had that video of that killer home theatre that you reviewed where he used a few Crowns, but the noise floor issue would be a no go for me, and those terminals 🤮

Hi Thomas. I enjoy your reviews.

😥 Class Distrotion hahaha 😆 😆 just kidding with ya Thomas-N-Stereo ! Maybe the 👑 will drive those badass Focals you have with decent headroom , may sound like a snake in your listeing area though lol Its Been awhile buddy , Would love to hear your tale of the take on the Crown amp 😆 but me very curious of the Peachtree class D , I will buy a peachtree amp this year ! Me On that 6 figure pay this year 😆 And no more student loans ! APPRICATE all your all's help Thomas and Sean more than you both know !!

Please do review it!

@Thomas & Stereo..... Can't wait to hear your take on it... !!!

Yes. I wonder what Sean would think if an XLi series amp.

To be honest I don't know, I'm not an "audiophile" I just love playing music and rockin' out. I know the sound they describe the seem to be searching for I have, maybe to a lesser extent. It's an AB and performs like an AB should, quiet, clean power. No added noise that I can detect. I think he may like it's performance. Especially with bigger 3-way fronts or passive subs

I’m in this camp.

@@dilbyjones 🤘💀🤘 it's a good camp!

NewYorkBlack yes, I believe you have to remove a plastic thingamajig from the center

Actually surprised by the measured power output of the 2502. I expected it to be (significantly) less. If I get to hang onto this for awhile, I may measure it myself to see if my results match up to theirs.

NYB - You checked out the XLI - their class a/b? Heard it's better than the XLS...

Came to say the same thing about the banana plugs haha

@@Xx-xd3zo I own XLi2500, great amp. I commented about it

You should really post something during your mentions of no bananna plug support to clarify for future viewers as it's not accurate. Regardless of your inability to perform the steps during your testing.

@@BFArch0n The post you're commenting on is my 'something'. Anybody who scrolls down into the comments section will get the idea that I'm the one who had an issue with the posts. Otherwise, the assessment of the amps natural performance, which is the focus of any of my reviews, should be reliable.

All we want is everything.

I own a pair of 1002’s to drive my Maggie’s and to remove the banana plug caps, I inserted a screw into the small hole in the center, tightened the screw and then pulled it out. Prying did not work at all.

THERE'S AN ONLINE REVIEWER (I CALL HIM LORD POTATOHEAD) THAT SWEARS HE CAN HEAR THE IMPROVEMENT OF $40,000 INTERCONNECTS IN A $650,000 SYSTEM ! THEY'RE ALL FULL OF SH1T & NOTHING MORE THAN SNAKE OIL SALESMEN -- IT'S HORSE CRAP -- IF IT SOUNDS GOOD TO ME AT THE TIME - IT'S THE BEST IN THE UNIVERSE -- MY CROWN SOUNDS TERRIFIC TO ME TOO ! 😱

Great question! A toss up between the Jungson and the Denafrips. The Jungson comes closest to replicated a "high end" sound, but I also appreciate the more balanced yet warm sound of the Denafrips.

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/iOCJjbyStZaRZoE.html

After owning an XLi2500 for a while, I don't think I would consider anything else. I love the sound, the power is awesome, can't beat the price for a 500wpc AB amp

jake spivey this is a pro sound pa amp is just that it sounds good.👌🏼

@@rudtuc007 Now here's some usable information.. Thanks!

Just note that class D distortion ratings are significantly different compared to class A or A/B amps. This is typical issue with pulse width modulation (class D) amp's switching gain stage, even the best of them.

@@Woofy-tm8si so true ...but not realized.,.

Maybe Gene can try it with those $50K RBH speakers he brags about in every video lol.

@@Woofy-tm8si not really. It would be amp specific. Old myths die hard.

lphaski totally agree with you

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/iOCJjbyStZaRZoE.html

Yes, you can. I thought I was crazy for a minute. When you get it, there are little thin plugs in each one of the holes near the terminals that need to be pulled out (NOT easy) but once gone, banana plugs can indeed be used. I used to do it regularly. HA. I now see many of us are saying this.

What was the tune?

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/iOCJjbyStZaRZoE.html

Gosh, that's interesting. I'm concerned about how different it sounds in terms of muscularity. Got the Hint too so that's why (and I've noticed the left channel has clearly become louder than the right, which really bothers me a lot...).

Darren Weight I have driven a mg2, mmgi, and my monster of a tympani with it. It will drive them just fine ! I however use class a/b as I find my ATI sound a bit warmer on my tympani I . But to put that in perspective , that was a 4800usd msrp 100pound weighing class a/b super high current. I had a gfa555 and the crown will walk all over that gfa no contest

Gerry Higgins name them that can push 2400w and has build in high , band and low pass crossovers per channel .. I’ll wait ... and don’t say berhinger that’s pure garbage, come with similar quality

@@MichelLinschoten he is still looking for one lol