Sony Xplod XM2252hx

Price & Contact: $399.95; Sony 201-930-1000; www.sony.com
All measurements @ 14 V unless otherwise specified
Frequency Response (4-ohm IHF Load 20 Hz to 20 kHz 1 kHz Ref.): +.5 dB, –.15 dB
L/R channel error (max deviation 20 Hz to 20 kHz): .25 dB
Phase Response (4-ohm IHF Load 20 Hz to 20 kHz 1 kHz Ref.): +16.3 degrees, –10 degrees
Signal to Noise Ratio (Below Rated Output, “A” weighted): –117.2 dB
Distortion at Rated Output @ 1 kHz: 0.037% @ 225 watts x 2
Output Power (resistive) minimum output (20 Hz to 20 kHz @ 1% THD+N, all channels driven into 4 ohms): 249 watts x 2 @ 14 V, 191.6 watts x 2 @ 12.8 V, 119.7 watts x 2 @ 10.5 V
Output Power(resistive) minimum output (20 Hz to 20 kHz @ 1% THD+N, all channels driven into 2 ohms): 229.7 watts x 2 @ 14 V, 190 watts x 2 @ 12.8 V, 123.6 watts x 2 @ 10.5 V
Output Power(resistive) minimum output (20 Hz to 20 kHz @ 1% THD+N, all channels driven into 1 ohm): 226.2 watts x 2 @ 14 V, 224.3 watts x 2 @ 12.8 V, 157.8 watts x 2 @ 10.5 V
Output Power (4-ohm IHF Reactive Load @ 1% THD+N @ 60 Hz, bridged): 692 watts x 1
Output Power (2-ohm IHF Reactive Load @ 1% THD+N @ 60 Hz, bridged): 660 watts x 1
Crosstalk @ rated output, 20 Hz to 20 kHz: –68 dB
Damping Factor @ 100 Hz: 90
Voltage for Rated Output: 119 mV to 3.9 V
Idle Current Draw: 1 amp
Current Draw @ 1/3 Rated Power: 29 amps @ 75 watts x 2
Efficiency @ 1/3 Rated Power: 36.90%
Power-Up Noise: 33.1 dB SPL
Power-Down Noise: 21.6 dB SPL

		Sony Xplod XM2252hx www.sony.com
		A closer look at Sony’s latest high-power amplifier offering.		SONY XM2252HX Specs Price & Contact: $399.95; Sony 201-930-1000; www.sony.com All measurements @ 14 V unless otherwise specified Frequency Response (4-ohm IHF Load 20 Hz to 20 kHz 1 kHz Ref.): +.5 dB, –.15 dB L/R channel error (max deviation 20 Hz to 20 kHz): .25 dB Phase Response (4-ohm IHF Load 20 Hz to 20 kHz 1 kHz Ref.): +16.3 degrees, –10 degrees Signal to Noise Ratio (Below Rated Output, “A” weighted): –117.2 dB Distortion at Rated Output @ 1 kHz: 0.037% @ 225 watts x 2 Output Power (resistive) minimum output (20 Hz to 20 kHz @ 1% THD+N, all channels driven into 4 ohms): 249 watts x 2 @ 14 V, 191.6 watts x 2 @ 12.8 V, 119.7 watts x 2 @ 10.5 V Output Power(resistive) minimum output (20 Hz to 20 kHz @ 1% THD+N, all channels driven into 2 ohms): 229.7 watts x 2 @ 14 V, 190 watts x 2 @ 12.8 V, 123.6 watts x 2 @ 10.5 V Output Power(resistive) minimum output (20 Hz to 20 kHz @ 1% THD+N, all channels driven into 1 ohm): 226.2 watts x 2 @ 14 V, 224.3 watts x 2 @ 12.8 V, 157.8 watts x 2 @ 10.5 V Output Power (4-ohm IHF Reactive Load @ 1% THD+N @ 60 Hz, bridged): 692 watts x 1 Output Power (2-ohm IHF Reactive Load @ 1% THD+N @ 60 Hz, bridged): 660 watts x 1 Crosstalk @ rated output, 20 Hz to 20 kHz: –68 dB Damping Factor @ 100 Hz: 90 Voltage for Rated Output: 119 mV to 3.9 V Idle Current Draw: 1 amp Current Draw @ 1/3 Rated Power: 29 amps @ 75 watts x 2 Efficiency @ 1/3 Rated Power: 36.90% Power-Up Noise: 33.1 dB SPL Power-Down Noise: 21.6 dB SPL
		by Brian Smith

		The XM2252HX is a two-channel amp featuring preamp inputs and outputs, high-level input, switchable high- or low-pass crossover with variable cutoff frequency, bass boost, and 1-ohm stability. It seems that Sony has jumped into the switchable “High Voltage/High Current” fray as evidenced by the toggle switch accessed from the bottom of the chassis. Performance Unlike a few of the other switchable amps that we’ve tested from other manufacturers, this unit actually seems to care about the position of the “high-voltage/high-current” switch. If you try to drive a low impedance with the switch in “high voltage” mode, the XM2252HX gets a little uncomfortable. Consequently, it has roughly the same output regardless of the load impedance. All in all, the XM2252HX is a pretty sweet amp. It made nearly 700 watts driving our 4-ohm reactive load and its signal-to-noise and crosstalk specs are quite good. Connections & Adjustments Connections to the XM2252HX include gold-plated RCA’s for line input and output, screw-type spade receptacles for power and speaker connections, and spring-loaded captive-style connectors for the high-level inputs and remote lead. Adjustments include input sensitivity, bass boost, crossover mode select, crossover cutoff frequency, and a toggle switch for selection of high-current or high-voltage mode. Installation Installing the XM2252HX shouldn’t pose any major hurdles, although its footprint is probably a bit large for passenger compartment mounting. All of the connections are sensibly laid out and well marked. The manual recommends using “larger than 4-gauge wire” for power and ground connections. However, due to the size of the spade receptacle, we had to use parallel runs of 8-gauge cable terminated in spade lugs to get the recommended wire diameter.