Lab Gruppen Dual Channel Power Amplifier 2 x 400watts ÷ 4ohm-100volt
Description
LAB.GRUPPEN
Dual Channel Power Amplifier 2 x 400watts ÷ 4ohm/100volt
New technology and Energy Star™*
In designing the new E Series, Lab.gruppen engineers drew upon the cutting-edge amplifier design philosophies developed for the flagship PLM™ 20000Q Powered Loudspeaker Management system, evolving these to create new circuit topologies and control features to meet the demands of 21st century AV installations. The result is a new amplifier platform called IDEEA: IntelliDrive Energy Efficient Amplifier. The principal design challenge was maintaining Lab.gruppen’s impeccable sonic performance and robust power output while meeting – or exceeding – the rigorous efficiency requirements of Energy Star* certification. The challenge was met on two fronts: reducing current draw during operating cycles with vigorous program material and high output levels, and reducing power consumption during non-operational cycles.
New power supply and output stage
For peak operating efficiency, the E Series incorporates a new high-headroom universal power supply accepting any mains voltage from 70 to 265 V at 50 or 60 Hz. A higher storage capacity in the power supply prevents excessive draw on the mains inlet during repeated peak bursts, maintaining extra headroom on the supply rails for sustained maximum output with minimal distortion. The Class D output stage is highly efficient (above 90%), while the inherently bridged topology allows up to twice the rated power output on one channel when the other channel is unused or driving a low power application. RSL™: Mix, match and balance loads The new Rail Sensing Limiter (RSL) is the latest refinement of Lab.gruppen’s proprietary approach to optimizing amplifier output characteristics to match the connected load. Each channel has a two-position switch that sets the output for driving either low impedance or high impedance (70 V) loudspeaker systems, with a +4 dBu sensitivity regardless of load type. RSL works in conjunction with the high headroom power supply and inherently bridged output stage to allow asymmetric loading. Power resources in the amplifier can be utilized to maximum advantage, with one channel producing far beyond its rated output when the other channel has lesser power requirements.
Flexible mode power control
To conform with Energy Star requirements, E Series amplifiers offer auto-power-down, which activates when no signal is detected for 20 minutes. Auto-power-on is triggered when signal is again present at the input. The GPI-type contact closure can also be used to control the power state as well as external power sequencers if desired.
Target: Installations
E Series amplifiers are designed for ease of installation and reliable service, with notable features including a 50 Hz high-pass filter (switchable per channel), inputs and outputs on detachable Phoenix-type screw terminals, and a temperature controlled fan that turns off for low-level signals. Comprehensive circuit protection and fault indication also included.
*ENERGY STAR is the trusted, government-backed symbol for energy efficiency helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices. The ENERGY STAR label was established to make it easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy-efficient products that offer savings on energy bills without sacrificing performance, features, and comfort. As technology evolves, the qualification for the standard becomes ever more stringent. E Series meets all the requirements for the latest iteration, Energy Star 3.0.
Features:
- High power density – Up to 2 × 600 W in 1U
- Certified Energy Star* compliant
- Flexible – IntelliDrive delivers similar power per channel at 70 V, 2, 4, 8 and 16 ohms
- Asymmetric loading allows “mixing and matching” of loads with different impedances to maximize both overall system efficiency and inventory utilization
- Patented IDEEA output stage based on Class D topology
- High efficiency – Extremely low power consumption and heat output
- Exceptionally low cost of ownership over lifetime
- RSL switch circuit senses rail voltage and optimizes output for instantaneous load conditions
- Efficient cooling – One temperature-controlled fan
- Comprehensive circuit protection and fault indication
Green Power: Maximizing dB SPL, minimizing kWh
In 21st century AV installations, systems integrators and end users must consider a power amplifier’s total cost – financially and environmentally – as calculated over an extended lifetime. The initial cost of a product can prove misleading. After ten years of use, an amplifier that costs less to install “out of the box” often will end up costing more after paying the “electricity penalty” for inefficiency. Consequently, the overriding goal of Lab.gruppen engineers has always been to produce the maximum possible power output – regardless of load type connected – with minimum current draw from AC mains. The latest generation Lab.gruppen amplifiers achieve this goal by applying new technologies that work in concert to deliver unprecedented overall efficiency – both minute-by-minute and over a decade or more.
RSL: Matching outputs to load conditions
A power amplifier performs more efficiently when key amplifier parameters are optimized for the loads connected to the outputs. With its exclusive Rail Sensing Limiter (RSL), Lab.gruppen’s E Series adapts to load conditions of varying impedances. High-impedance (70 V) systems can be driven directly from the amplifier outputs, eliminating losses from output transformers. In addition, the dual range switch can be used to optimize power output for connected loads in the 2 – 16 ohm range.
Asymmetric loading: Power sharing for ultimate efficiency
The combination of a high-headroom power supply and the dual range RSL enables asymmetric loading on E Series amplifiers. That means amplifier one channel can produce undistorted power substantially beyond its rated output when loads on the other channel are less demanding. For example, an E 12:2 amplifier, nominally rated at 600 W per channel 4 ohms, can produce 1100 W
4 ohms into one channel while simultaneously delivering 100 W into a 70 V system on the other channel.
A measure of efficiency: Power to current draw ratio
One meaningful way to evaluate a power amplifier is to look at the ratio of peak output power to AC mains current draw. Essentially, this reveals the power consumption when the amplifier is working at its hardest, and new Lab.gruppen amplifiers are remarkable in this respect. The ratio for both E Series and the PLM 20000Q is 400: 1, or about 400 W output every 1 A of power draw from 115/120 V mains. For tours this often means that the use of diesel generators complementing the local supply can be eliminated. For installs with 115/120 V mains, the functionality of E Series allows, for example, connection of four E 12:2 amplifiers – all on one circuit – to each deliver repeated beats of 4.8 kW while consuming less than 1 kW and never exceeding 12 Arms from the mains! And no, there is no power plant inside; the amplifiers simply use the dynamic behavior of the input signal and “recharge” between the peaks.
Lowering the “electricity penalty”
With already high energy costs moving higher in nearly every part of the world, the total amount of electricity required to power an amplifier must be factored in to the total cost of ownership and operation. When electricity costs are factored into the equation, Lab.gruppen E Series amplifiers quickly recoup any marginally higher initial costs within the first few years of operation, when compared to several popular installation amplifiers using conventional technologies. Depending on the specific application and on/off cycle periods, conventional amplifiers may impose an “electricity penalty” up to three times that of the E Series. Many of them will cost more in electricity over 6 years of use than they initially cost to purchase!
General
Model | E 12:2 | E 8:2 | E 4:2 |
---|---|---|---|
Number of channels | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Max total output all channels driven | 1200 W | 800 W | 400 W |
Peak output voltage per channel | 100 V / 70 Vrms | 100 V / 70 Vrms | 100 V / 70 Vrms |
Max. output current per channel | 18 Arms | 16 Arms | 11 Arms |
Max. Output Power Per Channel (All Channels Driven)
Model | E 12:2 | E 8:2 | E 4:2 |
---|---|---|---|
2 ohms (Lo-Z mode) | 600 | 400 | 200 |
4 ohms (Lo-Z mode) | 600 | 400 | 200 |
8 ohms (Hi-Z mode) | 600 | 400 | 200 |
16 ohms (Hi-Z mode) | 310 | 290 | 200 |
70 V (Hi-Z mode) | 600 | 400 | 200 |
8 ohms (Lo-Z mode) | 300 | 200 | 100 |
16 ohms (Lo-Z mode) | 150 | 100 | 50 |
Performance
Model | E 12:2 | E 8:2 | E 4:2 |
---|---|---|---|
THD 20 Hz – 20 kHz for 1 W | <0.1% | <0.1% | <0.1% |
THD at 1 kHz and 1 dB below clipping | <0.05% | <0.05% | <0.05% |
Signal To Noise Ratio | >112 dBA | >112 dBA | >112 dBA |
Channel separation (Crosstalk) at 1 kHz | >70 dB | >70 dB | >70 dB |
Frequency response | 2 Hz – 40 kHz | 2 Hz – 40 kHz | 2 Hz – 40 kHz |
Input impedance | 20 kOhm | 20 kOhm | 20 kOhm |
Common Mode Rejection (CMR) | 50 dB | 50 dB | 50 dB |
Output impedance | 25 mOhm | 25 mOhm | 25 mOhm |
Gain, Sensitivity and Limiters
Model | E 12:2 | E 8:2 | E 4:2 |
---|---|---|---|
Limit and gain switch (per channel) | 2 pos: Lo-Z and Hi-Z | 2 pos: Lo-Z and Hi-Z | 2 pos: Lo-Z and Hi-Z |
VPL for Hi-Z mode | 100 V | 100 V | 100 V |
VPL for Lo-Z mode | 69.3 V | 56.6 V | 40.0 V |
Sensitivity for 70 V out in Hi-Z mode | 4 dBu | 4 dBu | 4 dBu |
Sensitivity for full power into 4/8/16 ohms in Lo-Z mode | 4 dBu | 4 dBu | 4 dBu |
Gain in Hi-Z mode | 35.2 dBu | 35.2 dBu | 35.2 dBu |
Gain in Lo-Z mode | 32.0 dB | 30.3 dB | 27.2 dB |
Level adjustment (per channel) | Rear panel potentiometer detented from -inf to 0 dB |
Connectors and switches
Model | E 12:2 | E 8:2 | E 4:2 |
---|---|---|---|
Input connectors (per ch.) | 3-pin detachable screw terminals, electronically balanced | ||
Output connectors (per ch.) | 2-pin detachable screw terminals | ||
High pass filter | Fixed at 50 Hz, switchable per channel | ||
Power control | Can be used to go between standby and ON | ||
GPI (power control input) | Contact closure type, 2-pin detachable screw terminal, controls the power state | ||
GPO (power state output) | Contact closure type, 2-pin detachable screw terminal, for external monitoring of the power state | ||
Cooling | Single fan, front to rear airflow, no filter required, temperature controlled speed |
Power
Model | E 12:2 | E 8:2 | E 4:2 |
---|---|---|---|
Nominal voltage | 100 – 240 VAC | 100 – 240 VAC | 100 – 240 VAC |
Operating voltage | 60 – 265 VAC | 60 – 265 VAC | 60 – 265 VAC |
Standby consumption | |||
Mains connector | IEC inlet | ||
Dimensions | W: 483 mm (19”), H: 44 mm (1 U), D: 276 mm (10.9”) | ||
Weight | 4.2 kg (9.3 lbs.) | 4.1 kg (9 lbs.) | 4 kg (8.8 lbs.) |
Finish | Dark grey aluminum front and black steel chassis | ||
Approvals | CE | ||
Warranty | 3 years, components and factory workmanship. See full warranty statement. |