Nexo PS8 R2 +LS 400

[ajlyall]

Hi,this is my first post so please be gentle.

I have just bought a new nexo system consisting of 2x PS8 R2 & 1 LS400 sub came with anologue TD controller I am using this for playback only .I could not afford the nexo amp so I am using a crown xti 4000 to power at present I have the PS8s running of one chan and the sub of the other I link the PS8s ie in to one then out to the other,and the other chan drives the sub everything is working fine.I have now managed to aquire another LS 400 sub which I would like to add to the system on the basis that I will get better sub output and it will take up less space as I can have one sub left & right whith pole mounts for the PS8s ,were I need advice is how do I configure the wiring of the speakers,can I do it still using just the crown and can I do it with just the one controller any advice much appreciated.

[Simon Lewis]

The simple answer is put the two PS8s on one amp channel and the two LS400s on the other. The system runs in mono, only one input channel is connected on the controller (say the left), so the controller's left PS8 output goes to one amp channel and the controller's sub output goes to the other amp channel. You will have separate speaker leads across the stage for the sub and top box (unless you do something fancy with 4 core cable).

 

The Xti4000 seems to be just about the right output power to drive it all:

The LS400 needs up to 700W but is a 6 ohm box, the Crown should give about 1200W to 1400W into two boxes (3 Ohms).

The PS8 needs up to 500W and is an 8 Ohm box, the Crown will deliver slightly more than is needed into two boxes (4 Ohms).

 

However, Nexo do not recommend that you use an amp with built in DSP (as yours has) as it messes up whatever the controller thinks is happening. This could well affect the level of protection the controller gives you, so getting the right amp should be a priority...

 

I presume you do have the sense leads connected?

 

Simon

[ChazHS]

Hi,

 

I've got a PS8/LS400 system similar to yours (there isn't an R2 version of the PS8, only the PS10 and PS15 were turned into R2s) and for a while I was running it from Crown XTi amps (pair of 2000s). The protection systems do seem to work with the DSP on the XTis, but make sure that the screen says 'DSP off' as the controller does all you will need.

 

I'd recommend getting some Crown K2s or Crown Macrotech's to run your system, I'm using K2s and the difference between the XTis and the K2s is pretty big.

[ajlyall]

The simple answer is put the two PS8s on one amp channel and the two LS400s on the other. The system runs in mono, only one input channel is connected on the controller (say the left), so the controller's left PS8 output goes to one amp channel and the controller's sub output goes to the other amp channel. You will have separate speaker leads across the stage for the sub and top box (unless you do something fancy with 4 core cable).

 

The Xti4000 seems to be just about the right output power to drive it all:

The LS400 needs up to 700W but is a 6 ohm box, the Crown should give about 1200W to 1400W into two boxes (3 Ohms).

The PS8 needs up to 500W and is an 8 Ohm box, the Crown will deliver slightly more than is needed into two boxes (4 Ohms).

 

However, Nexo do not recommend that you use an amp with built in DSP (as yours has) as it messes up whatever the controller thinks is happening. This could well affect the level of protection the controller gives you, so getting the right amp should be a priority...

 

I presume you do have the sense leads connected?

 

Simon

 

Thanks Simon for the info you have confirmed what I thought I do not have the DSP on the crown switched on and have the sense leads connected allthough im not sure what to do with the spare sense output as im only using two channels I recall that I read that I have to short them out.I would like to upgrade the amp in the future when I have the funds I was thinking I would like a 3 or 4 chan amp as I am trying to keep the set up small and easy to move so one amp and light weight is a must what would you reccomend ,again thanks for your help.

Tony

 

A concurrent post has been automatically merged from this point on.

 

Hi,

 

I've got a PS8/LS400 system similar to yours (there isn't an R2 version of the PS8, only the PS10 and PS15 were turned into R2s) and for a while I was running it from Crown XTi amps (pair of 2000s). The protection systems do seem to work with the DSP on the XTis, but make sure that the screen says 'DSP off' as the controller does all you will need.

 

I'd recommend getting some Crown K2s or Crown Macrotech's to run your system, I'm using K2s and the difference between the XTis and the K2s is pretty big.

 

 

Hi ,now im confused Nexo say the new version of the PS8 has been revamped with more output and new grill etc so whats it called and how does it differ from the old model., I also notice that most dealers are calling it R2 in there sales blurb.The amps you mention how heavy are they compared with the XTI cheers Tony

[ChazHS]

Hi ,now im confused Nexo say the new version of the PS8 has been revamped with more output and new grill etc so whats it called and how does it differ from the old model., I also notice that most dealers are calling it R2 in there sales blurb.The amps you mention how heavy are they compared with the XTI cheers Tony

 

The PS-10 and PS-15 have been revamped into the PS-10R2 and PS-15R2, the PS-8 has had its grille changed slightly but thats the only difference. There have been no other driver or cabinet changes.

 

The K2s are about 1/3rd heavier than the XTis and the Macrotechs are a whole lot heavier. They are both sonically FAR better than the XTis though, and the difference is very noticeable. You aren't really doing the PS-8s justice with the XTi series. If you want lightness I'd recommend an amp from either Camco, Powersoft or Lab Gruppen. Also the QSC PL3 are worth a look.

[tolley1466]

Hi ,now im confused Nexo say the new version of the PS8 has been revamped with more output and new grill etc so whats it called and how does it differ from the old model., I also notice that most dealers are calling it R2 in there sales blurb.The amps you mention how heavy are they compared with the XTI cheers Tony

 

The PS-10 and PS-15 have been revamped into the PS-10R2 and PS-15R2, the PS-8 has had its grille changed slightly but thats the only difference. There have been no other driver or cabinet changes.

 

The K2s are about 1/3rd heavier than the XTis and the Macrotechs are a whole lot heavier. They are both sonically FAR better than the XTis though, and the difference is very noticeable. You aren't really doing the PS-8s justice with the XTi series. If you want lightness I'd recommend an amp from either Camco, Powersoft or Lab Gruppen. Also the QSC PL3 are worth a look.

 

If you're lucky, you may be able to find some L'acoustic amps that are basically a Lab rebadged and they're a lot cheaper too!

[ajakaaj]

They are both sonically FAR better than the XTis though, and the difference is very noticeable. You aren't really doing the PS-8s justice with the XTi series.

 

The Crown MA-5000i is 2x the price of a pair of new PS8s and has nearly 3x more power than required. This all seems a bit much for such a small speaker system.

 

I'm currently looking at a pair of ex-hire PS8 for around £800 and spending £3k on an amp seems a bit overkill. Would an £700 XTi2002 be that bad? There doesn't seem to be much in between, there seems to be a big jump from £700 (500W 8Ohm) to several thousand £££ and far more power than the PS8 could dream of taking.

 

Whilst on the subject, is there a difference in sound quality between the XLS Series and XTi Series or are they the same apart from the added DSP in the XTi?

 

Hello, by the way :) I realise this thread is a few years old, what's new? :)

[Matt Riley]

I would keep it simpler and just purchase a second hand Nexo PS8 AMP which can drive the PS8s and a sub if you choose to add it at a later date. It also incorporates the special PS8 controller which is an integral part of the PS system and the speakers should not be used without.

 

If you've already got a TD controller for these boxes then I would steer clear of the Xti amps simply because you're paying for DSP functionality you can't successfully use with these boxes and just get hold of something like the QSC RMX 2402 or the PLX 1804, both of which are great sounding, relatively lightweight, reliable amps occupying a similar place in the market.

[ajakaaj]

Okay, thanks for the advice.

 

The PS8 AMP seems fairly hard to come by. Is it a particularly old bit of kit?

 

I've also been eyeing up second hand macro tech amps. £500 for a 2400. It may be old and heavy but I imagine it would sound better than any new amp under £1000, yes?

[dwright2104]

Okay, thanks for the advice.

 

The PS8 AMP seems fairly hard to come by. Is it a particularly old bit of kit?

 

I've also been eyeing up second hand macro tech amps. £500 for a 2400. It may be old and heavy but I imagine it would sound better than any new amp under £1000, yes?

 

 

When your looking for lightweight new amp for your speakers, definitely look at the Camco vortex 2.6 for your system, if u want stereo then two of them.