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PowerLight 3 Amplifier Series (PL325, PL340 & PL380) |
PowerLight 3 Amplifier Series (PL325, PL340 & PL380)
For touring rigs or fixed installations. Three models range in power from 1250 watts to 4000 watts per channel at two ohms.
- PowerLight switchmode power supply for highest efficiency and improved audio performance
- Flow-thru 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
- User defeatable clip limiters and selectable low-frequency filter per channel (3 Hz, 30 Hz, or 50 Hz)
- Three selectable input gains (26 dB, 32 dB, or 1.2 V)
- Front and rear panel LEDs indicate status of switch settings at a glance
- Parallel Dataport, XLR/M and XLR/F connectors for simple loop-through connectivity
- Neutrik Speakon® and "Touch Proof" binding post outputs
- Neutrik Powercon® power cable remains secure on the road
- 3 year warranty, plus optional 3 year extended service contract
PL340 and PL325
- Linear Class H output circuit doubles standard Class B efficiency to reduce AC current consumption and cooling requirements
PL380
- Class D output circuit re-doubles the output power with even lower losses and minimal increase in average AC power, dramatically reducing power distribution demands compared to older high power amplifiers
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PowerLight 3 Power Amplifiers Watts at Clipping | |||||
| Watts per channel | Mono Bridged (Watts) | ||||
| Model | 8 ohms | 4 ohms | 2 ohms | 8 Ohms | 4 Ohms |
| PL325 | 500 | 850 | 1250 | 1700 | 2500 |
| PL340 | 800 | 1250 | 2000 | 2600 | 4000 |
| PL380 | 1500 | 2500 | 4000 | 5000 | 8000 |
In addition to higher power, the PowerLight 3 Series offers higher input voltage, selectable sensitivity, and easily adjusted rear panel switches with color coded LED indicators. For those users who simply want a high performance amplifier to go with their existing processor or console, the PowerLight 3 Series is an ideal choice, offering high power, excellent value, and zero signal latency. When complete integration of amplifier control, monitoring and DSP is desired, the PowerLight 3 Series is fully compatible with the QSControl.net BASIS™ networked audio platform, with its comprehensive drag and drop DSP functionality. Simpler DSP requirements can be met with the DSP-4 processing module
The flagship of the PowerLight 3 Series is the new 8000 watt PL380. This highly refined, all-switchmode amplifier incorporates nearly 40 years of QSC engineering experience, resetting expectations for Class D audio quality. The PL380 combines a pair of 4000 watt Class D amplifier channels with the well proven PowerLight supply, to deliver more than twice as much audio power as previous 2 rack unit PowerLight amplifiers. Reactive "back EMF" from the speaker is recycled to the power supply, and unmatched "plug-to-plug" efficiency of 85% keeps AC power needs to a minimum, while delivering more energy to the speaker.
Years of patient development have resulted in outstanding 20 Hz - 20 kHz audio performance, plus complete protection from normal hazards of the trade. Even simple features such as dependably silent, surge-free on/off switching indicate the special care taken to keep things safely under control. The most pronounced "sonic signature" of the PL380 is one of immense headroom, sailing through even the most difficult loads with no signs of stress or change of tonality.
For lower power applications, the PL325 and PL340 offer the same feature set, matched to upgraded versions of QSC's most advanced linear amplifier platform. Recent advances in power supply capacitors further improve power and low impedance performance, while continuing to offer the best available audio performance. As a result, designers have the choice of running a single type of amplifier throughout their rig, or matching amplifier performance to specific transducer types.
In keeping with normal QSC design standards, back-to-front airflow provides up to twice as much long-term average power as most competitors, without dumping hot air into the rack. All PowerLight 3 models are built in the same chassis size, with common back panel layouts to facilitate easy racking and hookup.
| PowerLight 3 | |||
| PL325 | PL340 | PL380 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEREO MODE, Both Channels Driven | |||
| 8 ohms EIA 1 kHz 1% THD | 500 W | 800 W | 1500 W |
| 4 ohms EIA 1 kHz 1% THD | 850 W | 1250 W | 2500 W |
| 2 ohms EIA 1 kHz 1% THD | 1250 W | 2000 W | 4000 W* |
| BRIDGE MONO MODE | |||
| 8 ohms EIA 1 kHz 1% THD | 1700 W | 2600 W | 5000 W |
| 4 ohms EIA 1 kHz 1% THD | 2500 W | 4000 W | 8000 W* |
| Typical Distortion (20 Hz -3 kHz, 3dB below clip, or 20 Hz - 5 kHz, 10dB below clip, or 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 20dB below clip) 8 ohms 4 ohms 2 ohms |
0.002-0.01% 0.005-0.01% 0.02% |
0.002-0.01% 0.005-0.01% 0.02% |
0.01-0.03% 0.03-0.06% 0.1% |
| Maximum Distortion (20 Hz - 20 kHz, 1 dB below rated power) 4 to 8 ohms |
0.05% |
0.05% |
0.2% |
| Frequency Response (8 ohms) | 20 Hz - 20 kHz, +/-0.2 dB | 20 Hz - 20 kHz, +/-0.2 dB | 20 Hz - 20 kHz, +/-0.2 dB |
| Noise (20 Hz - 20 kHz, 32 dB Gain) | -106 dB | -105 dB | -104 dB |
| Dynamic Headroom (4 ohms) | 2 dB | 2 dB | 2 dB |
| Damping Factor (8 ohms) | 500 | 500 | 200 |
| Output Circuitry | Class H (2-tier) | Class H (2-tier) | Class D |
| Input Sensitivity 26 dB Setting 32 dB Setting |
3.28V 1.60V |
3.92V 1.96V |
5.27V 2.67V |
| Input Gain (1.2V setting) | 34.5 dB | 36.4 dB | 39.1 dB |
| Maximum Input Level 1.2V setting 32 dB setting 26 db setting |
11V (+23 dB) 14.6V (+25.5 dB) 25V (+30 dB) |
11V (+23 dB) 14.6V (+25.5 dB) 25V (+30 dB) |
10V (+22 dB) 22V (+29 dB) 25V (+30 dB) |
| AC Power Requirements ** 120V 50/60 Hz 230V 50 Hz |
8.5A 7.5A |
12A 7A |
18A 11A |
| Cordset 120V 50/60 Hz 230V 50 Hz |
NEMA-15 CEE 7/7 16A |
NEMA-15 CEE 7/7 16A |
NEMA L5-30P CEE 7/7 16A |
| Chassis Power Connector All Voltages |
20A PowerCon |
20A PowerCon |
32A PowerCon |
| ALL MODELS | |||
| Input Impedance | > 10k ohms balanced, or unbalanced | ||
| Cooling | Variable-speed fan, rear-to-front air flow | ||
| Connectors (each channel) | Input: XLR Male, XLR Female and 3-pin detachable terminal blocks (1 each per channel) Output: Neutrik Speakon® (ch 1 wired to both channels) and 5-way binding posts DataPort: HD-15, input signal in parallel with XLR input connectors | ||
| Front Controls | AC Power Switch Gain Controls, 21 detents, 1 dB steps (each channel) | ||
| Front indicators (LED color) | Power (Blue) Bridged (Yellow) Parallel (Orange) Clip/Prot (Red x 2) Level -10 (Orange x 2) Level -20 (Green x 2) Signal -35 (Green x 2) | ||
| Rear Controls (with LED indicators) | Input Mode: Bridge (Yellow), Stereo (Green), or Parallel (Orange) Gain / Sensitivity: 26dB (Orange), 32dB (Green), or 1.2V (Yellow) High Pass (each channel): 3 Hz (Off), 30 Hz (Yellow), or 50 Hz (Orange) Clip Limiter (each channel): Off, On (Yellow) | ||
| Amplifier and Load Protection | Short circuit, open circuit, thermal, RF protection. On/off muting, DC fault shutdown, active inrush limiting | ||
| Dimensions | Height: 3.5" (8.9 cm) 2RU Width: 19" (48.3 cm) Depth: 15.63" (39.7 cm) from front mounting rails | ||
| Weight | Net: 22 lbs (10 kg) Shipping: 31.5 lbs (14.3 kg) | Net: 24 lbs (11 kg) Shipping: 33.5 lbs (15.2 kg) | |
| Agency Approvals | UL, CE, RoHS/WEEE compliant, FCC Class B (conducted and radiated emissions) | ||
U.S. Patent no. 5767744 and patents pending
*Burst mode testing required due to AC service current limitations
** Representative of current draw with typical music program material with occasional clipping
Review of the PL380 Amplifier in Pro Audio Review 01/2008. Read the Review (PDF 535 kB)
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Amp Selector Tool: Which Amplifier Is Best For My Speakers?
To get the best sonic performance from your loudspeakers, QSC recommends that you power them with an amplifier that is rated for at least two times the loudspeaker's continuous power rating or equal to the loudspeaker's program power rating. This amplifier selector will help you choose a QSC amplifier that can provide maximum performance for even the most demanding audio program material.