3
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing PowerLight 3 for your amplification needs. You
have joined a worldwide community of professionals who rely on QSC
products to perform under all conditions. QSC's vision is to be the most
trusted provider of high quality audio products and services to artists
and professionals worldwide. We earn that trust through careful design,
thorough testing, and obsessive attention to quality and detail, in all
phases of manufacturing and service.
The PowerLight 3 Series is based on decades of research and experience
in audio power amplification. This series combines the most requested
analog input adjustments with easy-to-read LED indicators, making it
easy to inspect settings at a glance and match to any system. Because
there is no internal digital processing or signal delay, these amplifiers
can be freely combined with all types of traditional amplifiers. The QSC
DataPort provides access to QSC's full range of digital processors and
remote control monitor systems.
The PL325 and PL340 continue the PowerLight legacy started in 1994,
combining a powerful, lightweight and efficient switchmode supply with
our most advanced Class-H linear output section. Their reference-quality
audio performance, high thermal capacity, and touring-grade ruggedness
continue to lead the industry.
The PL380 combines the PowerLight supply with a Class-D audio output
section, doubling the output power while further reducing losses. The
Class-D output section outperforms most competitive linear amplifiers,
offering the best full-range audio performance available in this power
range. All models have a neutral sonic signature, driving even difficult
loads without any distracting behavior or change in tone quality.
In order to control thousands of watts of power smoothly and safely,
QSC amplifiers employ many sophisticated protection circuits. These
systems provide the highest possible dynamic range without letting the
amplifier exceed its safe operating limits. To avoid unwanted triggering
of these protection systems, and to protect your valuable speakers,
please review these instructions to ensure that you get the full benefit of
your amplifier's performance.
FEATURES
•PowerLight switchmode power supply for highest efficiency
and improved audio performance
•Flow-through air path and solid aluminum heat sinks for
maximum cooling
•DataPort supports remote computer control and/or external
DSP-4 modules
•Detented gain controls with 1 dB steps for precise calibration
•Removable knobs with lock-out security plate to prevent
unauthorized tampering
•Independant user-defeatable clip limiter and selectable low-
frequency filter for each channel
•Three selectable input gains (26 dB, 32 dB, or 1.2V)
•Front and rear panel LEDs indicate status of switch settings at
a glance
•Parallel XLR male, XLR female, 3-pin header, and DataPort
connectors for simple loop-through connectivity
•Neutrik Speakon
®
and “touch proof” binding post outputs
•Neutrik PowerCon
®
power cable remains secure on the road
(early PL380 units may have hard-wired power cables pend-
ing UL approval of 30 ampere PowerCon)
•3 year warranty, plus optional 3 year extended service con-
tract
PL325 and PL340
•Linear class-H output crcuit doubles the standard class-B
efficiency, reducing cooling and AC current requirements
PL380
•Class-D output circuit re-doubles the output power with even
lower losses and minimal increase in average AC power, dra-
matically reducing AC power distribution demands compared
to older, high-power amplifiers
PowerLight 3 Series
Professional Power Amplifiers
PowerLight 3 Power Amplifiers, Watts at Clipping
EIA 1 kHz 1% THD
Model
8 ohms
4 ohms
2 ohms
PL325
500 850
1250
PL340
800
1250
2000
PL380
1500
2500
4000
