Crown XLS 602

Excellent quality at a great price

I purchased the XLS-602 to drive a pair of Electrovoice SX300's (rated at 300w each). I decided to purchase this based primarily on three reasons. Firstly, it was cheap, secondly it was made by a well respected company, and thirdly it had the spec I required. As the clarity of SX300's is so good, I was a bit concerned an amp at this price may let them down a bit, but those concerns were unfounded.

The quality of the sound was amazing, and the build quality of the amp seems very high to. It certainly appears that, even on their budget amplifiers, Crown didn't want to risk damaging their name.

If you are on a low budget, the XLS series is the one to go for. And with a three year guarantee, you can rest assured you're backed up by quality.

Crown XLS 602 Review

I purchased this amplifier to power a pair of 350W/8 Ohm Turbosounds that I bought second-hand. Dual-purpose, so that I could use the amp and speakers for house parties and the like, and so that they could also be used as monitors for our 2K rig.

Price was an important factor in my choice, as were confidence in a brand name and, most importantly, quality performance and construction. This might be considered a budget or entry level amplifier, which in many respects it is, but the reputation of the manufacturer was confirmed upon opening the box. The build quality is high; all the inputs, knobs, buttons, etc are properly sited and firmly installed, with no evidence at all of the shoddy workmanship and cheap components I have observed on lesser brands. The design is sleek, simple and attractive, construction is sturdy yet elegant, and my initial evaluation is that this is a workhorse amplifier that will last a very long time with proper care and handling. Moreover, the weight of the unit suggests some heavyweight internal components, which should improve longevity.

Using the amp at parties has further confirmed the manufacturers reputation. The sound is clear and clean with little additional colour, the amp chugs away all night and beyond without even blinking, and the volume delivered by the setup is perfectly adequate with plenty left to spare: quality sound at a decent yet enjoyable volume with the system operating at around 60% capacity. With the system in operation but no music playing, there is little or no buzz, hum, or hiss though the speakers, and the cooling fans work audibly but quietly.

There are certainly better amplifiers out there, and there are most certainly far worse ones too. This is a solid, decent piece of kit that is perfect for my needs and priced very nicely, especially considering the build quality and performance: way-better-than-budget at a price to suit a budget. The three-year warranty gives both peace of mind and added assurance, and as with all equipment, if looked after properly I am sure it will look after me. Full marks from a happy customer.