Martin Audio Wavefront W8CT, Application Manual

Page: 86 / 247

3.6 Power amplifier recommendations
The Wavefront Compact Subwoofer has been designed and manufactured for very
high performance but will not give that performance unless power amplifiers are
chosen and used intelligently.
Power capability
W8CS’ provide full performance when driven by professional power amplifiers
capable of delivering undistorted output power into a range of loads as follows:
W8CS
800 W(AES) into 8 ohms
1,600 W(AES) into 4 ohms
and
3,200 W(AES) into 2 ohms
Please note:
Amplifiers with excessive output may damage voice-coils or age driver suspensions
due to excessive heat dissipation and excursion.
A note about power amplifier output specifications
Most power amplifier manufacturers keep their costs down by using unregulated
supply rails which sag under load. To allow for this sag, manufacturers set their rails
high so that they still meet their quoted output into specified loads. These high rail
voltages allow such power amplifiers to provide outputs 1.5 - 2 times their quoted
power for short-term bursts. Martin Audio products will withstand this potential
doubling of instantaneous power -
with suitably set controller limiters - but further,
long-term increases caused by over-sized amplifiers should be avoided.
Martin Audio MA series power amplifiers have regulated rails so it is quite
permissible to use slightly overpowered models -
with suitably set controller limiters
- without risking uncontrolled power bursts. The MA series power amplifiers’
regulated power rails also ensure maximum performance under the real-world concert
conditions of less-than-optimum mains supplies and low impedance loads. See
Section 3.6.1 for further details.
Amplifier load tolerance
An efficient subwoofer system in live concert conditions can act as a surprisingly
dynamic and complex load. Most modern touring power amplifiers claim 2 ohm
capabilities but make sure your amplifier is also capable of driving reactive (ie
inductive or capacitive) loads without prematurely clipping or developing output
stage crossover distortion.
All material © 2007. Martin Audio Ltd. Subject to change without notice.