The PowerLight 2 Series is a high performance line of amplifiers designed exclusively for the touring and live sound professional. Four models range in power from 900 watts to 1850 watts per channel, all in two-rack space chassis that are only 14" deep and 21 lbs.

Each of these models are available in two versions: a Base model and an "A" version. Base models are ideal for systems using external signal processing. For those looking for integrated solutions, "A" versions offer internal analog signal processing. Full DSP capabilities may also be added to any model with the addition of the DSP-3 Module.

With PowerWaveTM technology, PowerLight 2 amplifiers take your sound to a whole new level. Not only does it give you tighter bass and clean transparent highs, PowerWaveTM also cuts waste heat, boosts reliability and gets rid of unwanted noise and hum. PowerWave is a revolutionary switching power supply technology that provides ample current to the audio power circuitry by charging the supply rails 230,000 times a second through an ultra-low impedance circuit. So unlike amplifiers that use conventional supplies, the audio signal is never starved prematurely and remains crisp and clean.

Through continued improvement and innovation, QSC's new PowerLight 2 offer features not found in any other professional audio amplifier.
FEATURES

PowerWaveTM Switching Technology for improved audio performance

High-efficiency Class H output circuits lower AC current consumption and cooling requirements by over 40% (PowerLight 224, 230, & 236)

Optional intake housing for the addition of air filters

Increased airflow for improved thermal performance

DataPort for remote computer control or the addition of external DSP modules

Detented gain controls with 1 dB steps for precise calibration

Removable knobs with lock-out security plate prevents unauthorized tampering

User defeatable clip limiters and selectable low-frequency filter (5, 30, or 50 Hz)

1/4" TRS*, XLR, and 3-pin detachable terminal block input connectors

Neutrik Speakon and "Touch Proof" binding post outputs

"Locking" IEC power cable remains secure on the road

Personalized badging available
* Base models only

PowerLight 2A built-in signal processing


Selectable input sensitivity/voltage gain (+4 dBu, 32 dB, or 26 dB)

Adjustable two-way 4th-order Linkwitz-Riley crossover with low-frequency delay for driver time alignment

Adjustable high frequency attenuation

Independent power limiters on each channel with adjustable threshold, attack and release times

Adjustable CD Horn equalization

MPN: PL218

PL 2 BASE MODEL SPECIFICATIONS PL 218 PL 224 PL 230 PL 236
Stereo Mode (both channels driven)
8 ohms FTC 20 Hz-20 kHz 0.03% THD 310W 440W 575W 725W
8 ohms EIA 1 kHz 1% THD 350W 475W 625W 800W
4 ohms FTC 20 Hz-20 kHz 0.05% THD 525W 715W 900W 1100W
4 ohms EIA 1 kHz 1% THD 600W 825W 1050W 1300W
2 ohms EIA 1 kHz 1% THD 900W 1200W 1500W 1850W
Bridge Mono Mode
16 ohms FTC 20 Hz-20 kHz 0.1% THD 650W 900W 1200W 1500W
8 ohms FTC 20 Hz-20 kHz 0.1% THD 1100W 1500W 2000W 2400W
4 ohms EIA 1 kHz 1% THD 1800W 2400W 3000W 3700W
Noise (20 Hz-20 kHz) -107 dB -108 dB -107 dB -107 dB
Input Sensitivity @ 8 ohms 1.23 Vrms 1.16 Vrms 1.17 Vrms 1.23 Vrms
Input Sensitivity @ 4 ohms 1.15 Vrms 1.10 Vrms 1.07 Vrms 1.07 Vrms
Voltage Gain 32dB 34dB 35dB 36dB
Output Circuitry AB 2-Step
Class H 2-Step
Class H 2-Step
Class H
120V Power Requirements
(1/8 power pink noise @ 4ohms) 8A* 8A* 9A* 10A*
All Models
Distortion (SMPTE-IM) Less than 0.01%
Distortion (typical)
10 dB below rated power:20 Hz-20 kHz
Full rated power:5.0 kHz and below
Less than 0.015% THD
Less than 0.01% THD
Frequency Response 20 Hz-20 kHz, ± 0.2 dB/8 Hz-100 kHz, +0, -3 dB
Damping Factor greater than 500
Input Impedance 6 K ohms unbalanced, 12 K ohms balanced
Cooling Variable-speed fan, rear-to-front air flow
Connectors (each channel) Input: 1/4" TRS**, 3-pin XLR and 3-pin detachable terminal blocks (1 each per channel)
Output: Neutrik Speakon and touch-proof binding post
Controls Front:AC switch, Ch.1 and Ch.2 gain knobs
Rear:DIP switch for Ch.1 and Ch.2:clip limiter on/off, LF filter on/off, LF filter, freq select-30 or 50 Hz; inputs parallel or stereo;bridge mode
Indicators PARALLEL INPUTS:Orange LED
BRIDGED:Yellow LED
PWR-ON:Green LED

CLIP/PROT: Red LED(1 per channel)
LEVEL-10dB: Amber LED(1 channel)
LEVEL-20 dB: Green LED(1 per channel)
SIGNAL-35dB: Green LED(1 per channel)
Amplifier Protection Full short circuit, open circuit, thermal, ultrasonic, & RF protection. Stable into reactive or mismatched loads.
Load Protection On/off muting, DC-fault power supply shutdown
Dimensions 19" (48.3cm) rack mounting, 3.5" (8.9 cm) tall (2 rack spaces),
14" (35.6 cm) deep (from front mounting rails)
Weight 21 lb (9.5 kg) net, 27 lbs (12.3 kg) shipping
All Specification Subject to Change Without Notice.

PL 2A MODEL SPECIFICATIONS PL 218A PL 224A PL 230A PL 236A
Stereo Mode (both channels driven)
8 ohms FTC 20 Hz-20 kHz 0.05% THD 310W 440W 575W 725W
8 ohms EIA 1 kHz 1% THD 350W 475W 625W 800W
4 ohms FTC 20 Hz-20 kHz 0.07% THD 525W 715W 900W 1100W
4 ohms EIA 1 kHz 1% THD 600W 825W 1050W 1300W
2 ohms EIA 1 kHz 1% THD 900W 1200W 1500W 1850W
Bridge Mono Mode
8 ohms FTC 20 Hz-20 kHz 0.1% THD 1100W 1500W 2000W 2400W
4 ohms EIA 1 kHz 1% THD 1800W 2400W 3000W 3700W
Noise (20 Hz-20 kHz) -103 dB -103 dB -103 dB -103 dB
Input Sensitivity @ 8 ohms 2.57Vrms (26dB)
1.28Vrms (+4dBu)
1.28Vrms (32dB) 3.05 Vrms (26dB)
1.20Vrms (+4dBu)
1.53Vrms (32dB) 3.84 Vrms (26dB)
1.22Vrms (+4dBu)
1.93Vrms (32dB) 3.95 Vrms (26dB)
1.24Vrms (+4dBu)
1.98Vrms (32dB)
Input Sensitivity @ 4 ohms 2.37Vrms (26dB)
1.18Vrms (+4dBu)
1.18Vrms (32dB) 2.79 Vrms (26dB)
1.10Vrms (+4dBu)
1.39Vrms (32dB) 3.41 Vrms (26dB)
1.08Vrms (+4dBu)
1.71Vrms (32dB) 3.45 Vrms (26dB)
1.09Vrms (+4dBu)
1.73Vrms (32dB)
Voltage Gain 26, 32, or 32dB 26, 32, or 34dB 26, 32, or 35dB 26, 32, or 36dB
Output Circuitry AB 2-Step Class H 2-Step Class H 2-Step Class H
120V Power Requirements
(1/8 power pink noise @ 4ohms) 8A* 8A* 9A* 10A*
All Models
Distortion (SMPTE-IM) Less than 0.01%
Distortion (typical)
10 dB below rated power:20 Hz-20 kHz
Full rated power:5.0 kHz and below
Less than 0.025% THD
Less than 0.025% THD
Frequency Response 20 Hz-20 kHz, ± 0.2 dB / 8 Hz-65 kHz, +0, -3 dB
Damping Factor greater than 500
Input Impedance 6 K ohms unbalanced, 12 K ohms balanced
Input Clipping 10 Vrms (+22dBu)
Cooling Variable-speed fan, rear-to-front air flow. Optional air filter.
Connectors (each channel) Input: 3-pin rubber isolated XLR and 3-pin detachable terminal blocks (1 each per channel)
Output: Neutrik Speakon and touch-proof binding post
Controls (rear)
Input Configuration
Mode
DataPort Input Signal
Gain Sensitivity
Stereo or Parallel
2 Channel, Bi-amp, or Bridge-mono
Pre-processing, Post-processing, or Off
26dB, 1.2 Vrms, or 32 dB
Controls
Subaudio Filter (ea. channel)(side)
Clip Limiter (ea. channel)
5 Hz (off), 30 Hz, or 50 Hz
On or Off

Crossover Controls (side)
Frequency
Low-frequency Delay Enable (Ch. 1 only)
Low-frequency Delay (Ch. 1 only)
High-Frequency ch. attenuation (Ch. 2 only)
CD Horn equalization (Ch. 2 only)
Range of 85 Hz to 2500 Hz. Configured with SIP resistor.
On or Off. Active only in bi-amp mode only.
Range of 0.14 to 6.5 mSec. Configured with SIP resistor.
Range of 0 to -15 dB in 1-dB steps. Active only in bi-amp mode.
Range of 0 to +14 dB boost in 2-dB steps. Active only in bi-amp mode.
Power Limiter Controls (side)
Power Limiter Enable (ea. channel)
Power Limiter Mode (ea. channel)
Power Limiter Threshold (ea. channel)
Power Limiter Speed (ea. channel)


Power Limiter Tracking
On or Off
Average or Peak attack and release mode
Range of 0 to -15 dB in 1-dB steps
Fast: 1-8 mSec. of attack (depending on limiter mode) and 20 mSec release
Medium: 10-80 mSec. of attack (depending on limiter mode) and 200 mSec release
Slow: 180 mSec.-1.6 Sec. of attack (depending on limiter mode) and 4 Sec. Release
Ch.1 tracks Ch. 2, Ch. 2 tracks Ch. 1, or Off
Indicators Front: Power: Green LED; Bridged: Yellow LED; Parallel: Orange LED;
Biamp: Blue LED; Clip: Red LED (1 per ch.); Level -10: Orange LED (1 per ch.);
Level -20: Green LED (1 per ch.); Signal -35: Green LED (1 per ch.)
Rear: Stereo: Green LED; Parallel: Orange LED; Biamp: Blue LED; 2CH mode:
Green LED; Bridged: Yellow LED; DP Pre Processing: Blue LED; DP Out: Green LED;
DP Post Processing: Yellow LED; Gain 26dB: Orange LED;
Input Sensitivity +4dBu: Green LED; Gain 32dB: Yellow LED
Side: LF filter engaged: Green LED (1 per ch.); Power Limiter Activity:
Yellow LED (1 per ch.)
Amplifier Protection Full short circuit, open circuit, thermal, ultrasonic, and RF protection.
Stable into reactive or mismatched loads
Load Protection On/off muting, DC-fault power supply shutdown
Dimensions 19" (48.3 cm) rack mounting, 3.5" (8.9 cm) tall (2 rack spaces),
14" (35.6 cm) deep (from front mounting rails)
Weight 21 lb (9.5 kg) net, 27 lbs (12.3 kg) shipping