Behringer EP2500 Stereo Amplifier Review

[sealman]

I voted fine simply because the amp does what it was designed for which was PA use and does it well at a low price.

Channel separation, sinad and fan noise don't matter much for its typical use case.
If you want to compare it to home audio amps then it's generally a poor performer other than power output, but not always!
Lets look at another high output amp the Emotiva XPA-DR2 at 1699.00 (now it's 1899.00) at the time of the review. Other than fan noise I don't see 1300.00 dollars worth of difference. Yes channel separation is better but the DR2 is dual mono so imo that's a wash.
It comes back around to fan noise and I guess another 15 pounds and a huge case in comparison.

Based on performance and price I don't get the number of poor reviews.

 

[GXAlan]

Can you test the bridged mono mode? @amirm

Sometimes I am not sure if the noise gets improved because some non linearities get cancelled out or if the non linearities are twice as bad because you are getting way more power.

Edit: These can be popular with subwoofers. Although you can find audiophile amps with similar power that’s cleaner, getting into the silly high power levels is something only PA amps can do well.

This is in part due to impedence curves that might go up to 64 ohms in bass areas, so it’s less about the raw power at 8 ohms, but more how much is left at really high impedance portions of the subwoofer driver.

 

[Mudjock]

I had an EP1500 (lower power variant of this amp). I acquired it as part of a gear swap and it had been modified with a quiet fan (not too difficult), which is a reasonable thing to do if you're going to use this in a home environment. The stock cooling system is designed for pro audio duty.

The main production run for these was about 20 years ago. It was generally an option if one wanted to save money over the QSC RMX series.

I thought mine sounded decent. I tried it in a two channel setup in addition to sub duty. Eventually it failed due to an issue with a ribbon connector (which was a common fault). SINAD is comparable to a lot of late 1970's to early 1980's vintage stereo receivers - or only slightly worse. It is a little lacking in high frequency resolution (see multitone chart) - but pretty well suited to sub duty and clipping won't be a concern in most applications.

 

[amirm]

Can you test the bridged mono mode? @amirm

I can't risk pushing over 2KW into my dummy loads.

 

[GWolfman]

Very kind of the member, good to see and cheers for the testing.

High distortion and noise, but certainly packs a punch power wise, which is really what this amp is aimed at.

Pics;

View attachment 429592

View attachment 429593

View attachment 429594


JSmith

You have a knack for finding internal shots of devices! I’d think you’re stalking Amir’s courier with a toolset in hand if I didn’t know any better, LOL.

Much appreciated.

 

[peniku8]

Unfortunately I don't have access to test equipment. But I would be surprised if the T.Amps are any better than the Behringer. Their spec sheets state higher distortion and they are also Chinese made amps like the Behringer.

I've had two and still have one (10 years old now) and it delivers more power than the specs say at 1% THD. It also delivers it long-term, which is impressive. At least the models from the TSA range I have/had are solid amps. They could be improved by having them run half-bridged, but theoretically you can mod them for that pretty easily. Just need to cut some traces on the PCBs and solder in a bit of wire.

 

[GXAlan]

I can't risk pushing over 2KW into my dummy loads.

Is there any value in seeing how it does in the first 500W?

Is there any consistency in terms of bridged mono increasing versus decreasing noise performance at lower levels? Is 5W bridged stressing the amp as if it was a single channel running at 2.5W or more like a single channel running at 10W? Or is there no predictable response.

 

[JohnBooty]

Although you can find audiophile amps with similar power that’s cleaner, getting into the silly high power levels is something only PA amps can do well.

I have the Crown XLS (76dB SINAD, 336W into 4ohm) reviewed by Anand a few years ago:

Review and Measurements of Crown XLS 1502 Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Crown XLS 1502 "PA" Power Amplifier. It is on a kind loan from a member who bought it new and drop shipped it to me. It retails for USD $349 including free Prime shipping from Amazon. At that price, it seems like an incredible value. I have...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I know many here disagree but for me? Subjectively? Having effectively unlimited power makes up for a lot of flaws, especially with speakers with high sensitivity and power handling. I guess it's probably the quality referred to as "effortless." High dynamic range material really shines. I generally don't listen at high avg SPL either.

 

[GXAlan]

I have the Crown XLS (76dB SINAD, 336W into 4ohm) reviewed by Anand Amir a few years ago:

I have tried the Christie Digital CDA3/Crest Audio Pro-Lite 3.0 which I liked but the one I got used would go into thermal protection after 14 minutes even at idle. I have since bought a new in box Crown XLS2502, figuring that the reliability enhancement would be a smarter move since I could get it for a lower price than the Crest Audio new.

 

[JSmith]

I’d think you’re stalking Amir’s courier with a toolset in hand if I didn’t know any better, LOL.

JSmith

 

[kemmler3D]

Seems fine for low-mid-tier stage / club use but I'd never put one inside my house. (mostly because of the fan noise.)

 

[Bruce Morgen]

To hear or not hear. ... differences. That is the question. Here's a blind test with, among other things, a Behringer A500 amp. I won't spoil their results, you can read about them in the link below. The result was at least what I suspected it would be:
View attachment 429602View attachment 429603

Matrix HiFi --> Blind testing high end full equipments

IOW, like many of us have been saying for decades, loudspeakers are by far the dominant determinant of SQ.

 

[F1308]

I read: The EP2500 delivers on what one expects from a professional amplifier: tons of power and mid 60s SINAD, comprised of distortion. It also does that in the form of noise.

I say: If you require my presence on Earth, I suggest addressing the noted deficiencies. Until then, orbital observation remains my current directive.

 

[JohnBooty]

I have tried the Christie Digital CDA3/Crest Audio Pro-Lite 3.0 which I liked but the one I got used would go into thermal protection after 14 minutes even at idle. I have since bought a new in box Crown XLS2502, figuring that the reliability enhancement would be a smarter move since I could get it for a lower price than the Crest Audio new.

That should be an absolutely nuclear level of power. Then, you need a second one, so you can run bridged monoblocks... but, you might have to register that kind of weapon with the authorities.

 

[GXAlan]

That should be an absolutely nuclear level of power. Then, you need a second one, so you can run bridged monoblocks... but, you might have to register that kind of weapon with the authorities.

I built a subwoofer using the JBL M2 woofer. According to https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/jbl_m2/

In free air, the M2 woofer is over 100 ohms impedance at 30 Hz and in the M2 enclosure which is larger than my sub enclosure, it still hits over 80 ohms impedance at 55 Hz.

So the 1550W at 8 ohm, is 775 onto 16, 388 into 32 ohm and 194W into 64 ohm

 

[audiotron]

Behringers are on the lower end/cost side of pro amps. I have 2 QSC PLX2 PLX3602s and they are pretty quiet. Thanks for the review.

 

[TonyJZX]

by any metric except power, this is a shit amp

i thought it was well known Behringer and Thomann shared production lines... check this:

Behringer KM750 750W 2-channel Power Amplifier

750-watt 2-channel Power Amplifier with Accelerated Transient Response

www.sweetwater.com

the t.amp E-400

Stereo Power Amplifier Low installation depth of just 308 mm, Power: 2x 310 W at 4 Ohm, 2x 155 W at 8 Ohm, 1x 450 W at 8 Ohm bridged (@1 kHz, THD 120, Inputs: XLR, jack (balanced) and RCA, Outputs: Speaker Twist and binding posts, Protected circuit...

www.thomannmusic.com

the similarities are so close that you know the same lines in china shat these things out

i also question in what uses cases do you need a real 450w with this much distortion

sounds like just poor engineering all round?

 

[Old_School_Brad]

by any metric except power, this is a shit amp

i thought it was well known Behringer and Thomann shared production lines... check this:

Behringer KM750 750W 2-channel Power Amplifier

750-watt 2-channel Power Amplifier with Accelerated Transient Response

www.sweetwater.com

the t.amp E-400

Stereo Power Amplifier Low installation depth of just 308 mm, Power: 2x 310 W at 4 Ohm, 2x 155 W at 8 Ohm, 1x 450 W at 8 Ohm bridged (@1 kHz, THD 120, Inputs: XLR, jack (balanced) and RCA, Outputs: Speaker Twist and binding posts, Protected circuit...

www.thomannmusic.com

the similarities are so close that you know the same lines in china shat these things out

i also question in what uses cases do you need a real 450w with this much distortion

sounds like just poor engineering all round?

This layout, with some variations, has been used in low-budget pro amplifier lines for decades. The two amplifiers you mention don’t look similar at all, aside from the general layout and a few chassis details. Their internal components, circuit boards, connections, cooling fan, and heat sink are all different.
I’d say there’s no clear evidence to suggest that these two amplifiers came from the same production line.

Behringer KM750

t.amp E400

 

[dogmamann]

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Behringer EP2500 "pro" stereo amplifier. It was purchased used and kindly sent to me for testing. It is discontinued but seems to go for $300 or so used.
View attachment 429558
I like the front panel gain controls which I set to about 22 dB for the review. Clipping indicators are very nice to have and as you see later, are accurate. Same with signal detection. On the negative front, the amplifier is loud, very loud. Even at idle I can hear it from 10 meters/30 feet away. So don't even think about running it in the same room or finding a way to quiet it down. The amp is also very heavy at 36 pounds for a professional amp which these days are quite light by using switching technologies.

Back panel shows nice set of switches which enable the limiter or selection of two different high pass filters:
View attachment 429559
I disliked the cover over binding posts as it made it almost impossible to turn the speakon plugs to lock and unlock.

If you are not familiar with my amplifier measurements, please watch this tutorial:

Behringer EP2500 Amplifier Measurements
As usual we start with our 5 watt dashboard:
View attachment 429560
Typical of amplifiers in this class, distortion is high compared to consumer amplifiers. The causes SINAD to be dominated by it and underperform the average tested amplifier by whopping 20 dB. Noise performance is reasonable:
View attachment 429563

Back to distortion, it naturally rises with frequency:
View attachment 429564
View attachment 429565

Frequency response shows some drooping but not end of the world:
View attachment 429566

Crosstalk is one of the worst I have measured:
View attachment 429567

Power output is very healthy but distortion is ever present:
View attachment 429568
View attachment 429569
It also meets spec at 1 kHz:
View attachment 429570

Testing at 40 Hz shows same level of output:
View attachment 429571

I tried to run my 1% THD power sweep. It ran fine from 20,000 down to a few hundred hertz but then tripped the breaker in my industry power strip! We can see that it is very capable at lower frequencies:

View attachment 429573

For this reason, I did not attempt to test it with my reactive load. I am confident that in a fight with that load, the amp would win!

The amp is stable on power up:
View attachment 429574

There are not one, but two nasty power up pops:
View attachment 429575

Conclusions
The EP2500 delivers on what one expects from a professional amplifier: tons of power and mid 60s SINAD, comprised of distortion. It also does that in the form of noise. For the typical subwoofer duty, it would do well and very low cost but you would need to find a way to quiet it, and the pop it generates.

Personally I would pay a lot more and get a quiet amp but I know others want the price performance. To the extent you don't mind shopping used, the Behringer EP2500 does the job.

------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.

Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/

do bridgeable amps have more potential to have worse crosstalk’s? Normally poor stereo pots in signal path has the potential to create crosstalk. With power amps like this, I wonder if their bridgeable circuit is the cause for poor channel seperation.

 

[dogmamann]

This layout, with some variations, has been used in low-budget pro amplifier lines for decades. The two amplifiers you mention don’t look similar at all, aside from the general layout and a few chassis details. Their internal components, circuit boards, connections, cooling fan, and heat sink are all different.
I’d say there’s no clear evidence to suggest that these two amplifiers came from the same production line.

Behringer KM750
View attachment 429848

t.amp E400
View attachment 429849

It looks very similar to my eyes. It’s mirrored and arrangement is different however I see same amount of parts here.