Bass Gear Review

Reviewer	Chuck Fry
Experience	30
Review date	March 24 2002
Manufacturer	QSC Audio Inc.
Model	RMX 1850HD
Price	$429
Item owned for	1-6 months

Dimensions	2 rack spaces (16" deep)
Weight	45 lbs (20 kg)
Power	600 W @ 4 ohms, 900 W @ 2 ohms, per channel, stereo
Other	Bridgeable, Speakon & 5-way binding post outputs, switchable 30/50 Hz
	filter, clip limiter, signal & clip LEDS per channel, gain control per channel

Clean, cheap power and lots of it! The entry-level RMX series is made in China for QSC. The 1850HD is claimed to be optimized for low impedance loads. Though it has many of the PLX series' features (hi pass filters, clip limiter, signal and clip LEDs, etc.), it uses a conventional power supply, and thus is twice as heavy as a PLX. Rear rack supports are recommended, and are about $25 from QSC. Lord Valve had the best price I could find on this amp.

I bought the RMX specifically to drive a pair of 4 ohm Acme Low B-2 cabs, one per channel. It does that quite well. With the 30 Hz filters and clip limiters engaged, it produces a very satisfying amount of thump. I was hoping it could also drive both B-2s on one channel if that ever became necessary.

That became necessary last night when I was loaned an AccuGroove Whappo Jr. cab. I ran the 4 ohm AccuGroove on one channel, both the Acmes on the other, and let her rip. The RMX passed the test with flying colors. It just cranked out endless amounts of clean power effortlessly. No drama, no funny noises. The air coming out of the amp didn't even feel warm!

Pros: Ample power, great sound, superb bass response. 2 rack spaces. Lots of features for an "entry level" amp. QSC's excellent reputation for support, authorized warranty service stations everywhere. Low low price.

Cons: Heavy! Requires a deep rack. Configuration switches are hard to see when racked, require something pointy to set. Cooling fan is always on. Startup surge can pop breakers; make sure you have enough AC power! Made in China.

Construction	95%
(Weight, fan noise are the only drawbacks.)
Clarity	98%
(Haven't heard perfection yet, but this will do!)
Volume	98%
(Plenty loud, even with Acmes.)
Value	100%
(You can't buy more power for the price!)
Overall	98%
(The best budget power amp for bass use, period.)