Description
The Electro-Voice Q44 amplifier is a very
high-quality power amplifier designed to
elicit excellent performance from any
speaker system. Its low distortion and sub-
stantial headroom ensure that program ma-
terial will be accurately amplified.
Each channel of the Q44 delivers more
than 230-watts continuous average power
into 8 ohms, 350 watts into 4 ohms and
450 watts into 2 ohms over the full audio
frequency range. In the bridged mode, the
amplifier can deliver more than 900 watts into
8 ohms and 1,300 watts into 4 ohms at less
than 1% THD. The power supply with its
large torodial transformer gives the ampli-
fier impressive headroom and current output
capability.
The Q44 contains 16 high-power output de-
vices with 4,000 watts of dissipation capa-
bility. These devices are protected from over-
heating by two, three-speed temperature-sen-
sitive fans. The fans are quiet enough to per-
mit use of the Q44 in noise-sensitive appli-
cations such as recording studios and houses
of worship.
The output devices are mounted to two large,
extruded aluminum heat sinks that are engi-
neered to minimize thermal gradients and
allow the amplifier to operate safely into low-
impedance loads. The output devices have a
maximum junction temperature of 200
o
C
(392
o
F), so high operational temperatures
present no problems. The output devices are
mounted directly to the heat sinks without
mica insulators to ensure better dissipation
of heat.
The Q44 has sophisticated protection circuits
that guard it and the load from problems.
Protection circuits guard against overload,
over-temperature, shorted outputs, radio-fre-
quency interference and dc faults. The out-
put devices are protected against damage
from the reverse feeding of electrical energy
(back EMF) from the load and are switched
on via relays to avoid transients which could
damage speakers.
The Q44 has built-in limiters to protect
speakers from the deleterious effects of am-
plifier clipping. The limiter’s action is con-
trolled by very sophisticated input/output
comparators which are designed to preserve
the sonic integrity of the source.
The Q44 has electronically-balanced XLR-
type input and signal output connectors that
allow easy, problem-free connections and
signal routing. The amplifier has an input
routing switch that allows selection of either
normal dual-channel operation or parallel
mono operation, which routes an input to
both channels but still allows independent
level control.
The Q44’s professional Neutrik Speakon
®
output connectors provide sturdy, reliable
connections and allow use of heavy wire for
loss-free signal transmission. There are sepa-
rate output connectors for channels, A and
B, and for the bridge mode. The bridge mode
connector is sealed with a plastic cover to
prevent connection errors.
To prevent ground loops from occurring, the
Q44 is equipped with a ground-lift switch.
When the amplifier is operated in a rack with
units of different ground potential, the switch
may be adjusted to eliminate hum.
Separate potentiometers on the rear panel of
the Q44 allow easy regulation of gain. There
is easily readable nomenclature to ensure
easily repeatable control settings.
The Electro-Voice Q44 is an excellent choice
for high-quality professional sound system
applications which require excellent sound
quality, speaker protection and the highest
level of construction quality and long-term
reliability.
Q44
Stereo Power Amplifier
• 280 watts per channel at 8 ohms;
450 watts per channel at 4 ohms;
650 watts per channel at 4 ohms
at 1 kHz
• 900 watts per channel bridged at
8 ohms;1,300 watts bridged at
4 ohms at 1 kHz
• State-of-the-art limiters driven by a
sophisticated input/output compara-
tor ensure freedom from amplifier
clipping
• High-current Neutrik Speakon
®
output
connectors for channels A, B and
bridged operation for loss-free
connections
• Active-balanced XLR-type input and
paralleled XLR-type output connec-
tors provide easy signal routing
• Rear-mounted dB-scaled detented
level controls for easy control of gain