Sony Xplod XM-1002HX

Price & Contact: $280; 201-930-1000; www.sony.com/xplod
All measurements @ 14 volts unless otherwise specified.
Frequency Response (4-ohm IHF Load 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 1 kHz Ref.): +0.4 dB, –.1 dB
L/R channel error Max deviation 20 Hz to 20 kHz: 0.1 dB
Phase Response (4-ohm IHF Load 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 1 kHz Ref.): +14 degrees, –7 degrees
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Below Rated Output, “A” weighted): –121.4 dB
Distortion at Rated Output @ 1 kHz: 0.1% @ 280 wattsx1
Output Power (resistive) minimum output 20 Hz to 20 kHz @ 1%THD+N (all channels driven into 4 ohms): 111 watts x 2 @ 14 volts,.91 watts x 2 @ 12.8 volts, 59 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): 147 watts x 2 @ 14 volts, 121 watts x 2 @ 12.8 volts, 80 watts x 2 @ 10.5 volts
Output Power (resistive) minimum output 20 Hz to 20 kHz @ 1%THD+N all channels driven into 1 ohm: 104 watts x 2 @ 14 volts, 86 watts x 2 @ 12.8 volts, 56 watts x 2 @ 10.5 volts
Output Power (4-ohm IHF Reactive Load @ 60 Hz, to clipping): 331 watts
Output Power (2-ohm IHF Reactive Load @ 60 Hz, to clipping): 238 watts
Crosstalk (Referenced to Rated Output, 20 Hz to 20 kHz): -55.7 dB
Damping Factor @ 100 Hz, 2 ohms: 54
Voltage for Rated Output: 96 mV to 4.3 volts
Idle Current Draw: 1 amp
Current Draw @ 1/3 Maximum Power: 24.6 amps @ 105 watts
Efficiency @ 1/3 Maximum Power: 30%
Power-Up Noise: 19.4 dB SPL
Power-Down Noise: 4.9 dB SPL

		Sony Xplod XM-1002HX www.sony.com/xplod
		Sony’s XM-1002HX amplifier offers power and flexibility.		Sony Xplod XM 1002HX Specs Price & Contact: $280; 201-930-1000; www.sony.com/xplod All measurements @ 14 volts unless otherwise specified. Frequency Response (4-ohm IHF Load 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 1 kHz Ref.): +0.4 dB, –.1 dB L/R channel error Max deviation 20 Hz to 20 kHz: 0.1 dB Phase Response (4-ohm IHF Load 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 1 kHz Ref.): +14 degrees, –7 degrees Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Below Rated Output, “A” weighted): –121.4 dB Distortion at Rated Output @ 1 kHz: 0.1% @ 280 wattsx1 Output Power (resistive) minimum output 20 Hz to 20 kHz @ 1%THD+N (all channels driven into 4 ohms): 111 watts x 2 @ 14 volts,.91 watts x 2 @ 12.8 volts, 59 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): 147 watts x 2 @ 14 volts, 121 watts x 2 @ 12.8 volts, 80 watts x 2 @ 10.5 volts Output Power (resistive) minimum output 20 Hz to 20 kHz @ 1%THD+N all channels driven into 1 ohm: 104 watts x 2 @ 14 volts, 86 watts x 2 @ 12.8 volts, 56 watts x 2 @ 10.5 volts Output Power (4-ohm IHF Reactive Load @ 60 Hz, to clipping): 331 watts Output Power (2-ohm IHF Reactive Load @ 60 Hz, to clipping): 238 watts Crosstalk (Referenced to Rated Output, 20 Hz to 20 kHz): -55.7 dB Damping Factor @ 100 Hz, 2 ohms: 54 Voltage for Rated Output: 96 mV to 4.3 volts Idle Current Draw: 1 amp Current Draw @ 1/3 Maximum Power: 24.6 amps @ 105 watts Efficiency @ 1/3 Maximum Power: 30% Power-Up Noise: 19.4 dB SPL Power-Down Noise: 4.9 dB SPL
		by Brian Smith

		The XM-1002HX is a two-channel amplifier with power ratings of 100 watts x 2 or 280 watts x 1 into 4 ohms and 140 watts x 2 into 2 ohms. Features include high-level inputs, line outputs, bass boost, internal crossover, and switchable hi-voltage/hi-current mode. Performance Performance from the XM-1002HX is relatively solid. The unit is very quiet, signal-to-noise measured better than –120 dB, and turn-on/off noises are quite low. Channel error measured a mere tenth of a dB, and the crossover and bass boost filters performed in a sensible manner. The bass boost circuit does increase input sensitivity by about 1 dB when set to maximum, but this is neither uncommon nor particularly worrisome. The amp also managed to beat its power ratings by a few percentage points in all categories. The charts marked THD+N vs. Output represent the amp’s bridged output at 60 Hz into the specified load. Our regular readers have seen these charts in all of our amp reviews, usually representing the amp’s output into a reactive load. This time, I’ve added a resistive measurement of the same nominal value to show the difference. Notice that the amount of distortion is substantially higher through most of the amp’s operating range when driving the reactive loads. In a rather unusual twist, the problem is worse driving a 4-ohm load than with a 2-ohm load. The difference is that the 2-ohm measurement was made with the amp in hi-current mode as the manual recommends. There’s less distortion, but hi-current mode reduces the amount of available output voltage, so there’s also less power. To be fair, I should point out that our reactive power tests are subwoofer oriented and the frequency range of the distortion that the amp produces when driving this type of load is far above the range in which subwoofers prefer to play. Furthermore, the distortion level before clipping reaches a maximum of just over 4 percent, which would be inaudible with most types of musical program material. Connections & Adjustments Connections to the XM-1002HX include line-level RCA inputs and outputs, a high-level input connector, and 3/8-inch spade receptacles for all power and speaker connections. Adjustments include input sensitivity, crossover mode select, crossover cutoff frequency, bass boost and hi-voltage/ hi-current switch. The hi-voltage/current switch is accessed from the bottom of the amp while all other controls are located on one end of the amp. The crossover is capable of either high- or low-pass operation with 12 dB-per-octave slopes and a cutoff frequency that is variable from 45 Hz to 223 Hz. Bass boost is variable from 0 to +12 dB at 35 Hz. Installation Installing the XM-1002HX shouldn’t pose any major hassles. Its footprint is just less than 1 square foot and overall height measures 2 inches. Perhaps the coolest installation-related feature of this amp is the high level input connector. Most amps leave you using butt connectors to attach the head units outputs to some kind of modular plug. The XM-1002HX provides connectors that are similar to the spring-loaded speaker terminals that we’ve all seen at Radio Shack. While I’m not fond of this type of connector on a large speaker, it’s absolutely beautiful in this application. Connection involves nothing more than pushing bare wire (up to 18-guage) into the proper hole, — the connectors will lock the wire automatically.