Crown owes its success to many people – especially those who

choose to incorporate Crown products into their projects. We

respect your expertise, and are very grateful you turn to Crown

for your amplifier needs. Your insightful feedback is invaluable,

and helps us develop better ways to deliver the finest sound

reproduction possible – and leads to landmark innovations like

DriveCore™ Technology. As a way of expressing our heartfelt

thanks, we dedicate this book to you.

D E D I C A T I O N

C R W N

PErfECTION DOEsN’T hAPPEN OvErNIghT.

We’ve been developing and refining amplifier technology since

1967, when we introduced the world’s first reliable, high-powered,

solid-state amplifier, the DC 300. And our relentless commitment to

constantly push the limits of sound, and the technology to deliver it,

remains unwavering.

Led by the engineering genius of gerald stanley, our vice President of

research and Development, Crown’s reputation for technical prowess

is world-renowned. gerald holds 31 patents in the U.s. alone, and his

influence continues on our revolutionary DriveCore™ Technology,

which features five patents applying to the advanced feedback,

modulation, and output stage capabilities.

1947 – Founders Ruby and Clarence Moore establish International Radio and Electronics Corporation, modifying and distributing high-quality tape recorders for rugged environments. 1950 – Introduction of world’s first tape recorder with built-in power amplifier. Tone control circuitry further enhances this unit designed for PA system use.1950s – The vacuum tube tape recorder line includes the Standard, Imperial, Broadcast, Prince, and Royal.1953 – A three-motor electromagnetic braking mechanism revolutionizes the tape recorder industry. Speakers are designed and manufactured as accessories to tape recorders.1954 – Electromagnetic Braking Mechanism patent obtained by Clarence Moore.1955 – Tape recorder production grows and expands.1958 – The Royal makes its appearance as Crown's first stereo, 2-channel, tape recorder.1959 – Tape recorders take on a new rack-mount design with the introduction of the Crown Prince, along with the introduction of stand-alone vacuum tube amplifiers including the A15 and A30.1959 – Magnetic Recorder patent obtained by Clarence Moore. 1960-61 – Tape recorder improvements include separate electronic and transport sections, push-button and relay control, and remote control capabilities. The Gold Crown Stereo X recorder includes several innovations in component electronics.1962-63 – Crown invents the first solid-state, professional-quality tape recorder. 1964 – An industry first: the SA 20-20 solid-state amplifier is a low-profile unit only 1-3/4 inches high. 1967 – Introducing the DC 300 amplifier: the world’s first reliable, solid-state, high-power amplifier raises the bar once more. Rated conservatively at 150 watts per channel, the amplifier features extremely low distortion and noise. 1968 – The Pro 800 Series tape recorders feature a logic-controlled transport.1969 – High Fidelity magazine calls the DC 300 the world’s best amplifier. 1970 – The new IC-150 pre-amp and D-150 amplifier feature exceptional sound quality.1970 – DC 300 Amplifier patent obtained by Gerald Stanley. 1971 – Crown invents the grounded bridge amplifier. 1971 – Thanksgiving Day fire destroys over 60% of the Crown facility and the remainder of the plant is severely damaged. Production resumes within six weeks with the D-60 amplifier. 1972 – A new Crown plant emerges over the ashes of the former structure. 1972 – Another industry first is the introduction of the M600/M2000 amplifier, featuring 2000 watts mono into 8 ohms, using the patented grounded-bridge circuit. 1974 – Macro-Tech® technology patents obtained by Gerald Stanley. 1975 – International Radio and Electronics Corporation officially becomes Crown International, Inc. 1976 – The patented EQ-2 synergistic equalizer is added to the Crown product family. 1977 – Introduction of the DL-2 controller revolutionizes preamplification with digitally controlled modular systems, computer interface capabilities, and patented phono circuitry. The IOC (Input-Output-Comparitor) circuit instantly indicates amplifier overload conditions. 1978 – Combining the newly introduced D-75 amplifier with the RTA2 (real-time analyzer) creates a compact, accurate, and easy-to-use instrument for acoustical analysis. 1979 – Patented SA2 is the world’s first power amplifier to use a built-in computer to maximize transistor performance. The newly introduced FM ONE tuner is a design winner at the Consumer Electronics Show. 1980 – Microphone manufacturing begins with the introduction of the PZM (Pressure Zone Microphone) family of microphones. 1981 – FM TWO replaces FM ONE with a low-profile, digital-tuning design. 1982 – Additional Macro-Tech® technology patents obtained by Gerald Stanley. 1984 – Micro-Tech family of amplifiers brings patented Grounded Bridge and Junction Temperature Simulation technologies to the audio world. PIP modules also provide input flexibility. 1986 – The PCC-160, an advanced directional boundary microphone, is launched. 1987 – The CM300 Differoid line of hand-held microphones is patented.1987 – The ultimate amplifier, MA10000, provides 10,000 watts of power. Its first application: delivering power for 465 speakers at the Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway. 1988 – The IQ-2000 System allows computer monitoring and control of up to 200 remote power amplifiers.1988 – Additional Macro-Tech® technology patents obtained by Gerald Stanley. 1989 – ComTech amps for fixed installations debut with direct 70-volt operation.1989 – The Patented SASS microphone becomes the first new stereo recording system since World War II, while the Macro Reference amp provides exceptional sonic performance for the studio market. 1991 – IQ System & Networking patent obtained by Clay Barclay. 1992 – MA-5000VZ amplifier featuring the Variable Impedance (VZ) bi-level power supply is added to the Macro-Tech® Series, quickly becoming the touring standard for Sub cabinets. 1992 – Development of the PZM-11 and PCC-170SW microphones. 1993 – Introduction of the CM311, a head-worn microphone. First created for country music star, Garth Brooks. 1995 – CM-700 studio condenser microphone earns rave reviews from both critics and users. 1996 – A new 46,000 square foot facilities addition expands production capacity. 1996 – The revolutionary K2 amplifier is the star of the NAMM show, offering 1270 watts mono output from a chassis only 3 inches high, and with no cooling fan.1996 – An industry first: integrating DSP into a production amplifier with the PIP DSP card. 1997 – Class I Technology patent obtained by Gerald Stanley. 1998 – CE1000 and CE2000 offer outstanding performance at an affordable price. 1999 – The second-generation DSP-based amplifier module, IQ-PIP-USP2, provides amazing power and flexibility with an extensive list of features. 2000 – Crown becomes a member of the HARMAN International family of Pro Audio companies. 2000 – The CE4000 expands the CE Series to become the most cost-efficient amplifier yet.2000 – The IQ-USM 810 digital mixer/digital processor is an eight-input, ten-output, all-digital "system in a box." 2001 – Adding IQ-PIP-USP2/CN to a PIP2 amp creates the industry's first CobraNet™-compatible amplifier. 2002 – Crown reinvents the IQ System and ships the world's first solution for transporting networked audio control and digital audio via a single 100 Mb Ethernet network connection. 2002 – The introduction of the CTs Series as the new flagship installed sound amplifier, while the new XLS Series sets company sales records.2003 – I-Tech Amplifier patent obtained by Gerald Stanley. 2004 – The launch of a new flagship amplifier line for the tour sound and corporate PA markets: the I-Tech Series. The world's most advanced power amplifier, I-Tech represents the pinnacle of Crown's decades of industry leadership and incorporates a host of advanced technologies.2004 – DriveCore™ Technology patent obtained by Gerald Stanley. 2005 – More new product introductions than in any single year including the new Commercial Audio Series amplifiers, amplifier-mixers and pre-amplifier mixers, which earns a third-straight Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Award in the Amplifier Technology category. 2006 – Significant new amplifier lines arrive, including the XTi Series for portable PA, the CDi Series for installed sound and the DSi Series for cinema. The XTi becomes the most successful new product launch in Crown history.2010 – The launch of the XLS Series for portable PA featuring new DriveCore™ Technology – the first amplifier in the DriveCore™ family of products. 2011 – Production begins on the ComTech DriveCore™ for installed sound featuring DriveCore™ Technology. 2012 – Introducing the I-Tech 4x3500HD for touring sound driven by DriveCore™ Technology.

Multiple patents – more than any of our

competitors combined. historical audio

achievements. A never-ending list of

industry-changing product introductions.

Innovative technical advances. Crown’s history

is one of an uninterrupted list of achievements in

sound. And as evidenced by DriveCore™, we’re

continuing to set new standards for Crown’s

future – and for the entire industry as well.

DEfININg AUDIO ExCELLENCE fOr DECADEs

Beijing National StadiumBEIJINg, ChINA

ThE BEsT sOUND IN ThE WOrLD.

frOM ThE WOrLD’s BEsT sOUND PrODUCEr.

sports stadiums. Nightclubs. houses of worship. People come to these

venues to savor a range of experiences and sensations – including

sound. Crown ensures audiences worldwide enjoy the sounds they

want to hear in a variety of settings with superb, industry-leading

amplifier systems.

Universally delivering pure, powerful sound, setting global standards

for pristine acoustic quality everywhere they’re installed, Crown’s

world-renowned amplifiers enrich every listener’s audio experience.

Club Surrender, Hotel EncoreLAs vEgAs, NEvADA

Photo by Russell MacMasters Photography

CityCenterLAs vEgAs, NEvADA

From Crown

Lakewood ChurchhOUsTON, TExAs

University of Notre DameNOTrE DAME, INDIANA

Photo by Craig Moe

D R I V E C O R E

TrAILBLAZINg TEChNOLOgY.

Based on breakthroughs by our own gerald stanley, the foundational

DriveCore™ circuitry is a culmination of nearly two decades of r&D

in PWM and switch-mode amplification. Teaming up with Texas

Instruments and their silicon design, we seamlessly integrated

the amplifier drive stage into the power output stage and

fused everything into one very tiny chip.

By doing so, we created more efficiencies, long-term

reliability and unsurpassed performance.

A proprietary hybrid analog-digital integrated circuit

that’s bolstered by multiple patents, DriveCore™

leads a new era of sustainable excellence.

ACTUAL sIZE

AUDIO INNOvATION BEYOND COMPArE.

for such a small chip, DriveCore™ provides huge dividends.

for example, the patented feedback and PWM modulation

circuits for fast recovery on peak transients, accurate reproduction

of low-level detail, and precise tracking of low frequencies at all

power levels for the unrivaled performance expected from Crown.

The front-end drive circuits leverage the inherent efficiency of Class D

output stages while also maintaining superb sonic characteristics.

The extremely wide tolerance for AC line conditions means whether you’re

on a normal power grid or fluctuating back-up generator power for Life-safety

systems, DriveCore™ amps deliver sound that’s never compromised.

And, DriveCore™ offers greater accuracy, reduced weight and size, and

best-in-class signal-to-noise performance.

The end result? An ultra-efficient, one-piece audio amplifier circuit exhibiting

the exemplary audio quality of a highly evolved Class AB design, giving you:

• signal-to-noise: >120dB

• Total harmonic distortion: < 0.001%

• Efficiency: > 90%

• Amp scalability: puts out 20W to 20kW

PUrE POWEr MADE EAsY.

how best to describe the incomparable DriveCore™ Technology? That’s easy.

As in, easy to save on utilities with its greater power efficiency, which means

no wasted power. Easy to save on energy as well, since it was spearheaded by

hArMAN’s greenEdge advanced technology initiative that’s aimed at increasing

performance and acoustic qualities while dramatically reducing energy consumption.

Easy to generate more operating efficiency and reliability because it uses fewer

parts. And as that allows lighter, space-saving designs, DriveCore™ amps are easy

to maneuver and use anywhere you want.

versatile and adaptable, DriveCore™ Technology easily provides the ultimate in

optimization so you always have the right power available at all times in every

Touring, Install, or Portable PA application.

Delivering unmatched performance that’s as effortless as it is enthralling,

DriveCore™ powered amplifiers are a sound investment for venues large and small.

Minimum size. Maximum efficiency.

By reducing the part count by over 500, DriveCore™ Technology

greatly reduces design complexity compared to that of traditional

amplifiers. That makes our DriveCore™ amps more efficient

and more reliable than those of our competitors.

simply put, a 4x600W DriveCore™ amplifier can be used

anywhere and outperform existing amplifier technology

by delivering more than twice the power while using

just half the space of a 4x250W amp. This represents

another historic milestone in our

ongoing commitment to delivering

audio products demanded by

professionals – and that please

audiences worldwide.

4x250W 4x600W

A sOUND DIffErENCE YOU CAN sEE.

R E V O L U T I O N

A rEvOLUTION IN INNOvATION.

Powerful? Without a doubt. DriveCore™ Technology is also

versatile, which is why it’s a key component in a new wave

of amplifiers taking sound reproduction to levels never

heard before.

The xLs DriveCore™ series now defines the standard for

portable live sound systems. The I-Tech 4x3500hD represents

the next generation of touring sound amplifiers. The ComTech

DriveCore™ effortlessly demonstrates first-of-its-kind installed

sound applications.

Propelled by DriveCore’s matchless capabilities, we’ll continue

turning the industry on its ear for generations to come.

ThE EvOLUTION Of sOUND PErfOrMANCE.

Building on our legacy of innovation and insight, DriveCore™

Technology is the line decisively separating Crown amplifiers from

everyone else. DriveCore™ manifests itself in our flagship products,

and clearly demonstrates why Crown continues to be the undisputed

leader in sound amplification.

To thank all those who made it possible to develop such an advanced audio

innovation as DriveCore™ Technology would require another book entirely. We

are indebted to the expertise of all those who trust Crown products and in turn

recommend them to all their customers. Consultants, contractors, tour accounts,

distributors, architects, sound engineers – the list is long, the insight given us

invaluable. Thank you for your confidence in us, as well as your loyalty, support

and honesty. May your business always be successful – and sound!

T h A N K Y O U

Learn more at crownaudio.com, or call your local Crown representative. ©2012 Crown International