Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Crown Attacks Low End of Market with New Mixer/Amps


Crown Launches 135MA, 160MA Mixer-Amplifiers

Elkhart, IN (February 26, 2008)--Crown has launched its 135MA and 160MA mixer-amplifiers. Capable of providing both 8-ohm and constant-voltage outputs (70V and 100V), the 135MA and 160MA are configurable for a variety of uses, including paging, background music, music-on-hold, security use and safety/evacuation announcements.
Each housed in a half-rack-space chassis, the 135MA is equipped with three inputs and a 35W amplifier output, while the 160MA provides four inputs and a 60W amplifier output.

Both models provide priority muting, which can be voice-activated or triggered via an external switch, and are compatible with microphones requiring phantom power."Not even the best business plan can outlast the rock-solid reliability of our most compact commercial amplifier ever," says Phil McPhee, Crown vertical market manager, Commercial Sound. "Delivering the legendary Crown sound and quality at a very attractive price, the 135MA and 160MA offer music-on-hold, voice-activated paging and preamp outputs, making them ideal solutions for nearly any commercial or industrial environment.

Throw in our 3-year, no-fault warranty, and it's easy to understand why Crown makes good business sense."The front panel of each model comprises a rotary input volume knob and green signal/clip LED for every channel, rotary output volume knob with green (signal) and red (clip) LEDs, recessed pots for bass and treble adjustment, and a power switch with accompanying blue LED.

The back panel includes a balanced Phoenix-type mic/line input with threshold control, several line-level RCA input jack pairs (two for 135MA, three for 160MA), a telephone/MOH output with level control, a preamp output, screw-terminal speaker outputs, and a detachable IEC power cord. A DIP switch panel is also provided for fast, easy configuration.Convection-cooled, the new mixer-amplifiers feature protection mechanisms, including current limiting, over-temperature thermal cutout, and DC-fault load protection. The units are also protected against turn-on/turn-off "thumps.

"The units are targeted for schools, hospitals, fitness facilities, houses of worship, restaurants, retail stores, factories, offices and many other similar environments.