MTX Thunder 1500dx

Price & Contact: $599.95; 602-438-4545; www.mtxaudio.com
All measurements @ 14 volts unless otherwise specified
Frequency Response (4 Ohm IHF Load 20 Hz to 200 Hz, 30 Hz Ref.): +0 dB, –3 dB
L/R channel error max deviation (20 Hz to 20 kHz): N/A
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Below Rated Output, “A” weighted): –99.5 dB
Distortion at Rated Output @ 60 Hz: 0.22%
Resistive Output Power (driving 4 ohms @ 60 Hz to 1% THD+N): 536 watts @ 14 volts; 458 watts @ 12.8 volts; 305 watts @ 10.5 volts
Resistive Output Power (driving 2 ohms @ 60 Hz to 1% THD+N): 868.7 watts @ 14 volts; 721.7 watts @12.8 volts; 483.2 watts @ 10.5 volts
Output Power (Reactive) 2-ohm IHF Load @ 60 Hz to 1% THD+N: 962 watts
Crosstalk @ rated output, 20 Hz to 20 kHz: N/A
Damping Factor @ 100 Hz: 435
Voltage for Rated Output: 165mV to greater than 20 volts
Idle Current Draw: 1.4 amps
Current Draw @ 1/3 Maximum Power: 31 amps @ 288.8 watts
Efficiency @ 1/3 Maximum Power : 66.50%
Power-Up Noise: 26.2 dB SPL
Power-Down Noise: 25.4 dB SPL

		MTX Thunder 1500dx www.mtxaudio.com
		MTX steps up to the plate with this class d subwoofer amp and knocks one out of the park.		MTX Thunder 1500dx Specs Price & Contact: $599.95; 602-438-4545; www.mtxaudio.com All measurements @ 14 volts unless otherwise specified Frequency Response (4 Ohm IHF Load 20 Hz to 200 Hz, 30 Hz Ref.): +0 dB, –3 dB L/R channel error max deviation (20 Hz to 20 kHz): N/A Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Below Rated Output, “A” weighted): –99.5 dB Distortion at Rated Output @ 60 Hz: 0.22% Resistive Output Power (driving 4 ohms @ 60 Hz to 1% THD+N): 536 watts @ 14 volts; 458 watts @ 12.8 volts; 305 watts @ 10.5 volts Resistive Output Power (driving 2 ohms @ 60 Hz to 1% THD+N): 868.7 watts @ 14 volts; 721.7 watts @12.8 volts; 483.2 watts @ 10.5 volts Output Power (Reactive) 2-ohm IHF Load @ 60 Hz to 1% THD+N: 962 watts Crosstalk @ rated output, 20 Hz to 20 kHz: N/A Damping Factor @ 100 Hz: 435 Voltage for Rated Output: 165mV to greater than 20 volts Idle Current Draw: 1.4 amps Current Draw @ 1/3 Maximum Power: 31 amps @ 288.8 watts Efficiency @ 1/3 Maximum Power : 66.50% Power-Up Noise: 26.2 dB SPL Power-Down Noise: 25.4 dB SPL
		by Brian Smith

		We wondered how long it would be before one of the big boys launched a class D subwoofer amp. MTX definitely fits the bill, and with the introduction of the 1500DX, it looks like they’ve jumped into the fray with both feet. The 1500DX features an internal crossover that’s continuously variable from 50 Hz to 200 Hz, up to 18 dB of bass boost, optional External Bass Control, and, of course, a single channel of class D output. Performance If the Soviet military ever produced a car audio amp, it probably would have looked a lot like this one — an uninspiring black box. Like an AK-47, the 1500DX isn’t much to look at, but the output is a real attention-getter. Aesthetics be damned, pretty amps are for losers who can’t make the juice! True beauty is relative to efficiency and output power into 2 ohms! What a philosophy. At nearly a kilowatt of output and 66.5 percent efficiency at 1/3 power, the 1500DX’s communist bloc appearance seems to change into something more like understated elegance. These numbers should be enough to make it quite attractive to any bass head. To the SPL competitor tired of trying to feed the current demands of a huge bank of class A/B amps, this puppy makes Marilyn Monroe look like Madeline Allbright. Installation The 1500DX is small enough to offer a variety of installation options, however, MTX recommends under-seat installation only as a last resort. This may be due to ventilation concerns, as the 1500DX’s heatsink is smooth (i.e., no fins). While this certainly isn’t the best way to dissipate heat, it should be noted that during our short, but high-intensity test session, the 1500DX ran cold as a stone. Connections & Adjustments Connections to the 1500DX consist of 4-gauge power and ground connections, 8-gauge speaker and remote connections, an EBC connector, and RCA inputs. Adjustments include input sensitivity, bass boost, and crossover cutoff frequency. Manual If there’s only one good thing about that “Made in the USA” sticker, it’s the assurance of a manual that’s at least readable. This one offers not only grammatical competence, but also a lack of senseless hi-fi crap and misguided advice to go along with it. It won’t offer the hearty chuckle of one of the finer offshore translations, but usable information is nice for a change. Keep up the good work guys.