Synopsis Audio SA50X

Price & Contact: Call for pricing; Phone 916-381-4480; Web www.synopsis-audio.com
All measurements @ 14V unless otherwise specified
Frequency Response (4-ohm IHF Load, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 1 kHz Ref.): +0.01 dB, -0.6 dB
L/R channel error max deviation, 20Hz to 20 kHz: 0.3 dB
Phase Response (4-ohm IHF Load, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 1 kHz Ref.): +8.8 degrees, –35.9 degrees
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Below Rated Output, "A" weighted): -95 dB
Distortion at Rated Output @ 1 kHz: 0.07% @ 200 watts
Output Power (resistive) minimum output 20 Hz to 20 kHz @ 1% THD+N all channels driven into 4 ohms 84 watts x 2 @ 14 volts, 83 watts x 2 @ 12.8 volts, 83 watts x 2 @ 10.5 volts
Output Power (resistive) minimum output 20 Hz to 20 kHz @ 1% THD+N, all channels driven into 2 ohms: 124 watts x 2 @ 14 volts, 122 watts x 2 @ 12.8 volts, 123 watts x 2 @ 10.5 volts
Output Power (4-ohm IHF Reactive Load @ 60 Hz to 1% THD+N): 311 watts
Crosstalk (Referenced to Rated Output, 20Hz to 20 kHz): -52.6 dB
Damping Factor @ 100 Hz, 2 ohms: 83
Voltage for Rated Output: 112mV to 3.7 volts
Idle Current Draw: 2.3 amps
Current Draw @ 1/3 Maximum Power: 29 amps @ 94 watts
Efficiency @ 1/3 Maximum Power: 23%
Power-Up Noise: 46.4 dB SPL
Power-Down Noise: 53.9 dB SPL

		Synopsis Audio SA50X www.synopsis-audio.com
		Flexibility and power is the name of the game with Synopsis Audio’s new 2-channel amp.		Synopsis Audio SA50X Specs Price & Contact: Call for pricing; Phone 916-381-4480; Web www.synopsis-audio.com All measurements @ 14V unless otherwise specified Frequency Response (4-ohm IHF Load, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 1 kHz Ref.): +0.01 dB, -0.6 dB L/R channel error max deviation, 20Hz to 20 kHz: 0.3 dB Phase Response (4-ohm IHF Load, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 1 kHz Ref.): +8.8 degrees, –35.9 degrees Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Below Rated Output, "A" weighted): -95 dB Distortion at Rated Output @ 1 kHz: 0.07% @ 200 watts Output Power (resistive) minimum output 20 Hz to 20 kHz @ 1% THD+N all channels driven into 4 ohms 84 watts x 2 @ 14 volts, 83 watts x 2 @ 12.8 volts, 83 watts x 2 @ 10.5 volts Output Power (resistive) minimum output 20 Hz to 20 kHz @ 1% THD+N, all channels driven into 2 ohms: 124 watts x 2 @ 14 volts, 122 watts x 2 @ 12.8 volts, 123 watts x 2 @ 10.5 volts Output Power (4-ohm IHF Reactive Load @ 60 Hz to 1% THD+N): 311 watts Crosstalk (Referenced to Rated Output, 20Hz to 20 kHz): -52.6 dB Damping Factor @ 100 Hz, 2 ohms: 83 Voltage for Rated Output: 112mV to 3.7 volts Idle Current Draw: 2.3 amps Current Draw @ 1/3 Maximum Power: 29 amps @ 94 watts Efficiency @ 1/3 Maximum Power: 23% Power-Up Noise: 46.4 dB SPL Power-Down Noise: 53.9 dB SPL
		by Brian Smith

		The SA50X is a two-channel amplifier with power ratings of 50 watts x 2 or 200 watts x 1 into 4 ohms and 100 watts x 2 into 2 ohms. Features include an internal crossover with variable cutoff frequency and range multiplier, variable bass boost, balanced inputs, and a transparent bottom panel that puts the amps internal circuitry on display. Performance The SA50X performed reasonably well during its time on our test bench. The amp seems to be pretty normal with one obvious exception. The input regulation of the power supply is about as stable as we have ever seen. Such designs have become somewhat of a rarity lately. With such tight regulation, there is a plus and a minus. On the plus side, you’ll always get all the power you paid for no matter what your voltage. On the minus side, you’ll never get anything for free just because your voltage happens to rise. The power supply in this baby is as tight as it gets. All of the unit’s power ratings were surpassed by a commendable margin, and, thanks to the supply regulation, the amp even beats its ratings at 10.5 VDC. However, this approach does ask the most from your battery when it’s least able to provide. Power on/off noises are high by competition standards, but S/N measured a respectable -95 dB. Efficiency at 1/3rd power measured 23%, which is a bit low for an amp of this class, but from an overall performance perspective, the SA50X appears to be more than capable. CONNECTIONS & ADJUSTMENTS Connections to the SA50X include RCA inputs, 1/2-inch spade receptacles for power and ground, and 5/16-inch spade receptacles for speaker connections. Adjustments include input sensitivity, crossover mode select, low pass mode select (mono/stereo), bass boost (0 - +12 dB @ 12.5 Hz), a variable cutoff frequency adjustment for each crossover passband and a frequency range multiplier. INSTALLATION The SA50X offers a fair degree of installation flexibility with a few different wrinkles. The amp sports a internal fan, but provides little in the way for the hot air to exit the amp. The design intent, according to the manufacturer, is to circulate the air inside the amp to maintain an even component temperature throughout. This prevents some components from changing performance due to localized overheating. While we have seen this approach in some special test equipment it is the first time we have seen it applied to an amp. The crossover’s range multiplier, although a great idea, didn’t work exactly as we expected. The low pass cutoff frequency range measured about 33 Hz to 300 Hz with the range multiplier switch in the 1X position. When the 10X setting was engaged, the adjustment jumped to about 3.2 kHz–23 kHz. With the good overall performance of the amp, this seemed out of place, so we contacted the manufacturer. A quick check revealed we had received a single amp that had a freaky assembly error. It seems that a single part had been installed in error that made the range go up two decades instead of one. Oh well, at least we know for sure that they didn’t send us a lab queen.