Crown Audio begins shipping I-Tech 4x3500HD DriveCore amplifiers

Harman’s Crown Audio is now shipping its new flagship I-Tech HD 4x3500HD DriveCore Series 4-channel power amplifier.

The four-channel I-Tech 4x3500HD incorporates Crown’s sixth-generation Class I engine with DriveCore technology to deliver 3,500 watts per channel burst into two ohms. It also offers some of the company’s most advanced features, such as a 4.3” TFT LCD with capacitive touchscreen, Harman HiQnet System Architect 2.0 control functionality and V5 DSP preset support for JBL Professional’s new VTX Series V25 plus Vertec Series line array loudspeakers.

The I-Tech 4x3500HD is designed to deliver 1,900 watts per channel into eight ohms, 2,400 watts per channel into four ohms and 4,800 watts into eight ohms bridged with all channels driven at full bandwidth from an amplifier that measures in at 2U rack spaces high. Such a power to size ratio is facilitated by Crown’s exclusive DriveCore amplifier IC chip, which combines the amplifier driver stage into the power output stage (along with additional audio-signal functions), to reduce overall size and power consumption requirements and yield energy-efficient operation that conforms to Harman’s GreenEdge environmental initiative.

Brian Pickowitz, market manager, Tour Sound for Crown, commented: “The I-Tech 4x3500HD DriveCore Series sets a new benchmark in control, connectivity, DSP and system interfacing capabilities for professional high-power multichannel amplifiers. We are confident customers will immediately recognize the distinct benefits of a true 4-channel solution that this amplifier offers for a wide range of live sound and fixed installation applications.”

The I-Tech 4x3500HD is aimed at providing real-world solutions, with its four analog inputs, four AES3 digital inputs and four AES inputs over VDrive and the ability to select four CobraNet inputs. Furthermore, the amplifier includes SpeakON or banana plug speaker connectors, in addition to a Neutrik PowerCON AC input connector to prevent the power cord from coming loose in transit.

Meanwhile, the I-Tech 4x3500HD’s proprietary BSS OmniDriveHD processing engine employs 32bit/192kHz A/D and D/A converters, which are intended to provide optimum audio clarity, as well as the ability to tailor the amplifier’s audio output. The brand’s exclusive linear phase FIR and IIR filters also aim to provide optimised loudspeaker crossover points with enhanced mid-range clarity and off-axis loudspeaker response.

Integration with other members of the Harman family is also facilitated, as the amplifier is compatible with the HiQnet System Architect and JBL HiQnet Performance Manager sound reinforcement system design software. The inclusion of JBL Vertec V5 DSP preset tunings for Vertec Series loudspeakers interface with the I-Tech 4x3500HD’s FIR filters to optimise the sound quality and horizontal coverage performance of the loudspeakers. For enhanced control and monitoring capabilities the amplifier is also compatible with the Powered By Crown iPad/iPhone application.

There are also a number of additional features incorporated with the I-Tech 4x3500HD, such as Crown’s LevelMax limiter technology, which combines the operation of the amplifier’s Peak, Thermal and RMS limiters for more effective protection; and a front-panel USB port that enables users to load preset amplifier settings or device files and update firmware.

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