This time I
will share the results of a compact but quite powerful all-in-one with the
unique abbreviation "SQ" in the model index - Hellion HAM1000.1SQ.
Inexpensive, considering its capabilities (and I'm not talking about formal
power numbers, although those are also okay).
It's clear
that the main purpose of this monoblock with a kilowatt power reserve is to
work as a subwoofer. But in general, it can work in a wide range, and as we
studied it, we came to the conclusion that a couple of these 1-channel speakers
would also fit nicely in the mid-bass section, where the speakers are
especially demanding for good control. And you can also run them safely on a
variety of midrange arrays.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS, DESIGN FEATURES
First, the
amp is compact. The cabinet is a rectangular profile with a section of 10.7 x
4.3 cm and a length of only 20 cm (plus connectors). Judging by the amplifier's
behavior during the test, its efficiency is high, so there's plenty of cooling
area, and with normal installation (and if you don't screw up the load
connection), you shouldn't have any problems with overheating.
The kit
includes mounting lugs, a tail of wires for high level connections, and, as
usual these days, a pair of textile gloves.
The power
terminals accept wires up to 2 Ga; the output terminals accept wires up to 6
sq. mm.
The filter
section is well equipped with adjustments, but if the Candy Bar is used with a
processor or as an addition to a processor, they can be bypassed (the
"Direct" switch). Here are a few of my own settings:
High-pass
and low-pass filters - they cannot be turned off, but the limits of adjustment
are, to put it mildly, wide, i.e. the amp remains broadband even when the
Direct mode is not turned on.
Subsonic.
In fact, the same high-pass filter, but with a range of 15 to 50 Hz, in the
subwoofer section allows a more precise adjustment of the cut-off frequency to
eliminate uninformative infra-bass (especially important for subwoofers in
bass-reflex enclosures and in free air, to prevent them from overdriving).
Punch
Boost. In contrast to the classic bass boost, it does not boost the signal
around 40-45 Hz, but a bit higher, around 65 Hz. In practice, this is often
desired for pop subwoofers used in open spaces.
Phase.
Smooth phase adjustment of the signal. Relevant when using a monoblock with a
subwoofer (let me remind you, it can work in a wide range). Unlike the usual
"0/180 degree" switches, it doesn't just switch the polarity of the
signal, but allows you to more accurately adjust the phasing of the subwoofer
to the acoustics (the goal is to get a more cohesive, integral bass sound, not
to have the subwoofer droning separately from everything else).
The
high-level inputs accept signals up to 40 volts RMS - this is a significant
advantage of the amplifier. It can be switched on not only by the remote
signal, but also by the presence of a useful signal on the high-level inputs
(detection of a constant component).
And also pay attention to the presence of RCA master and slave connectors. You can connect a pair of such amplifiers as a bridge to a load and obtain a multiple increase in power.
Now to the
filling. The amp is built according to the traditional D-class principles; it
is not "Brazilian", as it might seem when looking at the dimensions
and power indicators.
The board
has a conformal coating, i.e. Hellion can be used in motorcycles, ATVs, yachts,
boats, etc. Of course, not exactly in open areas, but the declared IP54
protection is confirmed.
True,
because of the same coating, it was not possible to see the markings on the
amplifier driver, but in general this is a well-known (and, with proper wiring,
quite decent) "taffy" - IRS2092.
MEASURING PARAMETERS AND CHARACTERISTICS
I'm going
to start with the filters, because wide ranges always raise concerns about the
accuracy of the stated parameters. In addition, the controls are "in one
pass" (without "x10" frequency multiplier switches, as is
sometimes done).
Surprisingly,
even with this implementation, the steepness and quality factor of the filters
do not fluctuate - this is very good. Only with the linearity, as always, it's
a bit more complicated: in the first half of the knob's travel, the filter
tuning frequency changes very little, but the second half of the travel is very
sensitive.
Now to the
amplification part. Since the HAM1000.1SQ is not only intended to be used as a
subwoofer, I will consider it as a normal full range amplifier.
First, the
nature of the harmonic distortion. It is quiet, without the palisade of higher
harmonics. So far, so good.
From
qualitative to quantitative assessment of distortion. I increase the output
power to 10 W, which eliminates the frequency dependence of the THD. With a 4
ohm load, the THD is evenly distributed, the increase at low and high
frequencies is insignificant. Also good.
At 2 and 1
ohms, the distortion level increases slightly; at the edges of the graph, as
usual, it rises a bit, but again, quantitatively, everything remains within
reasonable limits. But let me remind you that this is an amplifier with a very
decent declared power.
The signal phase is not as excessive as one would expect from a powerful monoblock. Yes, at the very, very top it shifts by 110-120 degrees - by the standards of conventional broadband amplifiers this is a bit much (although we have seen more). But are you planning to connect tweeters to a kilowatt unit? In short, considering the application - pass.
And now the dependence of the TIG on the output power. I filmed as standard - at a frequency of 1 kHz. On a small signal, the distortion is a little higher, but this is a common thing for a D-class, and even more so for a powerful one. As soon as the maximum is reached, clipping starts without the typical harsh clipping. At 4 ohms it's like any other, but at 2 and 1 ohms it's just sooo soft.By the way, I would like to point out that I made all my measurements with a 14.0 V power supply (Audison Symbatt 100). And if you do it the way some manufacturers do it, with 14.4 V, you can safely add a little more to the resulting numbers. In any case, the power reserve is not bad:
Performance
parameters of the Hellion HAM1000.1D (measured at 1 kHz):
Operating
at 4 ohms, nominal output power (THD=2%) - 378 W
Operating
at 4 ohms, nominal output power (THD=3%) - 392 W
Operating
at 4 ohms, maximum output power (THD=10%) - 434 W
4 ohm
operation, maximum current draw - up to 40 amps
Operating
at 2 ohms, nominal output power (THD=2%) - 543 W
Operating
at 2 ohms, nominal output power (THD=3%) - 629 W
Operating
at 2 ohms, maximum output power (THD=10%) - 703 W
Operating at 2 ohms, maximum current draw - up to 70 amps
Operating
at 1 ohm, nominal output power (THD=2%) - 761 W
Operating
at 1 ohm, nominal output power (THD=3%) - 823 W
Operating
into 1 ohm, maximum output power (THD=10%) - 1008 W
Operating
at 1 ohm, maximum current draw - up to 100 amps
A simple
calculation shows that if you combine two of these monoblocks with a bridge,
this pair will deliver about 1.2 kW of undistorted power to a 4-ohm sub, and
more than 1.6 kW to a 2-ohm sub. Well, if you make an adjustment for the same
supply voltage, it will be even higher.
A WORD ABOUT CABINETS. FOR WHICH APPLICATIONS
SHOULD I CHOOSE?
Despite its
compact size, this is a very decent all-in-one with a good power reserve. If we
talk about SQ applications (and the model index seems to suggest it), the
Hellion can easily handle any "civilian" 4- or 2-ohm sub with 2-2.5
inch voice coils. Yes, even at 1 ohm it works without loss of efficiency and a
sharp increase in distortion, but such a load is not really about SQ, so we
will simply consider this ability as the power reserve of the amplifier. If you
don't have enough, take two of these amps and connect them as a bridge.
Well, as expected, the HAM1000.1SQ can be used for more than just subwoofers. I tried to turn it on in a wide band and evaluate the sound. On a loud stage the amplifier can really be driven by large arrays of midrange speakers - the result will be a very driving and assertive sound.
Now, in the mid-bass range, a couple of such monoblocs will also work well, including SQ or SQL directional systems. With such a power reserve, a very decent control is obtained; the character of the bass remains elastic and does not become loose even with a significant increase in volume. There was also a strong impression that even tight and heavy mid-bass speakers would not be so tight and heavy for it.