Lab.gruppen made its mark on the world of amplifiers with clean and highly efficient Class TD designs combining Class D efficiency with Class B sonic purity and driven by an optimized Regulated Switch Mode Power Supply (R.SMPS). Five years ago, Lab.gruppen introduced the C Series of 4- and 8-channel lo-Z and hi-Z installation amplifiers ranging from 125W to 2200W per channel.
At this year's PLASA, Lab.gruppen introduces a new 1RU series of two-channel power amplifiers incorporating IDEEA (IntelliDrive Energy Efficient Amplifier) technology developed specifically for the installation market: the compact and ultra-efficient E Series of power amplifiers, which are Energy Star 2.1 compliant for a world where energy prices and environmental concerns can no longer be ignored.
New Features
Besides the E Series' obvious single rack-space chassis for high power- and channel-density, there are several notable features: Each channel can be individually set for either Lo-Z (2-16 ohm) or Hi-Z (70 V distributed) systems; Asymmetric loading allows the amplifier to accept different impedances to maximize both system efficiency and inventory utilization; there's a temperature-controlled fan; inputs and outputs are on detachable Phoenix terminals; and there are individual high-pass filters on each channel. They also look cool and, along with a three-year warranty, they carry Lab.gruppen's reputation for reliability and sonic quality.
E Series utilizes many of the unique design philosophy and energy-efficient concepts from Lab.gruppen's flagship PLM 20000Q touring amplifier, embodied in a 1RU platform engineered to serve the installation market.
The new range draws on three decades of tour-honed design and manufacturing expertise to deliver a unique combination of performance, rock-solid reliability and energy-efficiency. Nevertheless, the company says pricing will be highly competitive.
Ownership Cost
The E Series provides ultra-low power consumption, which, the company notes, might even reduce the total cost of ownership below that of conventional designs when the cost of electricity over time is factored into the purchase – call it the Prius effect.
Besides manually turning the amplifier on and off, with either a master switch, power-sequencer or mains control, the E Series provides two remote modes of power control: GPI control and input signal sensing, selectable from a three-position switch on the rear panel. GPI control and GPO on/off state monitoring are provided on a 4-pin Phoenix connector, as are the dual 3-pin Phoenix connectors for the inputs and dual 2-pins for the outputs. GPIO allows power cycling to follow third-party control systems.
E Series is Energy Star 2.1 compliant, the first "professional-grade" amplifier capable of these output levels to be so certified. This is an important advantage for installations where energy efficiency standards are critical, such as government and local authority tenders. Each model features an automatic power scheme, which means it turns on with signal present and goes into standby mode automatically after 20 minutes of no signal.
Other features hidden on the rear-panel include a 35 Hz high-pass filter, which further increases the efficiency of most music playback systems by reducing sub-sonic energy, while also providing component protection.
Watts Up
The E Series consists of three 2-channel power amplifiers rated at 200W for the E 4:2, 400W for the E 8:2 and 600W for the E 12:2, with maximum output current per channel of 11A, 16A and 18A. However, significantly higher per-channel outputs are possible with asymmetrical loading and proper setting of Lab.gruppen's proprietary Rail Sensing Limiter (RSL). The patented Class D output stage is inherently bridged, using proprietary topology, allowing up to double the rated output on one channel when no load is connected to the second channel.
Additionally, with the E Series' IntelliDrive technology, nominal output power ratings per channel are similar, whether driven into 4-ohm loads or energizing 70V speaker networks.
Certified as compliant with last year's Energy Star 2.1 requirements, E Series power amplifiers are, as mentioned, very efficient both in terms of net operating efficiency and typical current draw. In fact, the power-to-current ratio for burst signals with 1/8th average power is 400W output for 1A of line current at 120V mains – a performance characteristic matched only by Lab.gruppen's PLM 20000Q.
With power consumption reduction in both operational and standby mode, Lab.gruppen can tout the lower long-term cost of ownership to contractors as a tangible benefit for end-users.
RSL Technology
Another technological development with the E Series is Rail Sensing Limiter (RSL), a two-position switch that allows selection of either Hi-Z (100V) or Lo-Z (40V to 69.3V, depending on the model) as output thresholds. The RSL switch circuit senses rail voltage and optimizes output for instantaneous load conditions. It also allows for continued operation with fluctuating mains down to below 60 VAC.
RSL setting also configures the outputs for asymmetric loading. This can optimize performance and efficiency, for example, for applications with a small subwoofer connected to one channel and a 70V-distributed system (such as ceiling loudspeakers) to the other – a boon to typical retail and restaurant foreground music applications.
Overall, this makes E Series extremely flexible for systems designers, allowing a single 1U device to carry out multiple roles in system designs, whereas with conventional amplifiers, separate units would be required. It also may allow installers to reduce their amplifier inventory to these three models.
The High Headroom Universal Power Supply allows for a higher energy storage capacity, preventing excessive draw on the mains inlet during repeated peak bursts and maintaining extra headroom on the rails for longer sustained maximum power output.
All three E Series amplifiers are housed in a sleek 1RU chassis and measure less than 11 inches deep (28cm), weigh about 9 pounds (4 kg) and employ universal 70-265V power mains for worldwide operation.
