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GX Series

Professional Power Amplifiers

GX Series Amplifier
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GX3  |  GX5

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Your Speaker's Power Rating
Model
GX3 For 8 ohm speakers:
250 W - 350 W (program)*
GX5 For 8 ohm speakers:
400 W - 600 W (program)**
* For 4Ω speakers: 350 W - 500 W (program)
** For 4Ω speakers: 550 W - 900 W (program)


Which GX amplifier is best for my loudspeakers?

Choose your loudspeaker model from a list and the amplifier selector can tell you which amplifier is right for you.
Go to the Amplifier Selector
Go to the Amplifier Selector

GX Series amplifiers are ideal for professional entertainers who require maximum performance and portability on a limited budget. QSC designers, headed by Pat Quilter, have optimized output and appearance while reducing raw material cost and weight. It's all here – dramatic styling, easy hookup and adjustments, excellent audio quality and QSC reliability.

GX amplifiers deliver just the right amount of power to the most popular speakers used by entertainers. Most loudspeaker manufacturers recommend an amplifier with power output equal to the speaker's "Program (Music) Power" rating or two times (2 x) the "Continuous (RMS) Power" rating.

The GX3 is ideal for speakers in the 300 watt (Program) range, while the GX5 provides full performance for 500 watt (Program) speakers. Both models supply maximum possible power to 4 ohm and 8 ohm loads. Owners of popular 4 ohm loudspeakers (dual-woofer, two-way models and many subwoofers) will find the 700 watt (4 ohm) power of the GX5 an ideal match.


Technical Notes

The GX3 uses the latest evolution of the QSC Grounded Collector output system, for optimum cooling of the critical power transistors. A true Class B biasing system combines maximum thermal efficiency with excellent audio performance.

The GX5 uses a Class H system, based on key elements of the PLX Series, almost doubling power in the same size and weight. QSC design expertise allows the output devices to shift from low-power to high-power rails in less than a millionth of a second, ensuring that the output power is always right where it needs to be without excess loss.

Both amplifiers use premium toroidal power transformers for reliable "mid-weight" performance. A variable-speed fan moves air crosswise through the amplifier, drawing cool air in over the power transformer, through the fan, and then over the heat sink. This keeps the transformer cool and allows a full size heat sink to fit in a down-sized chassis. As always, the amplifiers are fully protected from the usual hazards of the trade, ensuring stable performance and long life.


GuardRail™

GuardRail protection delivers full peak power while preventing detrimental overloads. During excessive clipping, or extreme overheating, GuardRail reduces gain just enough to preserve the integrity of the music, protect the speakers and keep the audience excited, without unprofessional distortion levels or shutdowns. Learn more about how GuardRail Protection works


Subwoofer/Satellite Crossover

A subwoofer reduces strain on the full-range speaker, allowing it to play louder, or letting a smaller speaker do the same job. The GX Series supports this mode with a Crossover switch that splits the full-range input entering Ch 1, sending 20 Hz - 100 Hz to the sub (Ch 1) and 100 Hz - 20 kHz to the top box (Ch 2). The front panel gain controls balance the sub and top box, while GuardRail optimizes peak power into the sub and top individually, for greater musical impact and dynamic range. Learn More


FEATURES

  • Power levels matched to the most popular speakers used by entertainers
  • Optimized for maximum real-world headroom into 4 ohm and 8 ohm speaker systems
  • Inputs: XLR, 1/4" TRS and phono input connectors for compatibility with any source
  • Outputs: Speakon® combo accepts, 1/4" (TS) plugs or Speakon 2-pole and 4-pole plugs (connects 2 poles only). Binding posts support all other speaker wiring systems.
  • Minimum depth chassis (10.1" / 257 mm) fits in compact, inexpensive effects racks
  • Lightweight – less than 26 lbs (12.5 kg)
  • Detented gain controls for precise setting and matching of sensitivity
  • GuardRail™ automatically protects the amplifier and loudspeakers from damage due to temperature rise or overdrive without shutting down the show
  • Front panel LEDs monitor Power, Signal and Clipping
  • Subwoofer/Satellite crossover built-in

Frequently Asked Questions about the GX Series


GX SERIES


DOCUMENTS

GX Series Specifications (PDF 302K)
GX Series User Manual:
  Multilingual (PDF 12 MB)
  English (PDF 1.6 MB)
  Spanish (PDF 2.6 MB)
  French (PDF 2.6 MB)
  German (PDF 2.6 MB)
  Simplified Mandarin Chinese (PDF 2.4 MB)

FREE 6-YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY

Free 6 Year Extended WarrantyRegister your GX amplifiers online to get the free 6-year extended warranty.

Click here to register for the 6-year Extended Warranty


HI-RES IMAGES

Image Gallery

CAD/DXF

GX Series front & rear panels (DXF, zipped 713K)




RoHS Compliant
RoHS Compliant


  All specifications refer to pre-production samples and are subject to change without notice.

GX Series
SPECIFICATIONS GX3 GX5
8 ohms / 1 kHz (both channels driven) 300 W 500 W
8 ohms / 1 kHz (single channels driven) 350 W 600 W
4 ohms / 1 kHz (both channels driven) 425 W 700 W
4 ohms / 1 kHz (single channels driven) 500 W 850 W
Distortion (typical)
  20 Hz - 20 kHz, 1 dB below rated power
8 ohms: less than 0.05%
4 ohms: less than 0.1%
Signal to Noise (20 Hz - 20 kHz) 100 dB
Input Sensitivity 1.2 Vrms
Voltage Gain (8 ohms) 32.2 dB 34.4 dB
Output Circuitry Class B 2-tier Class H
Power Requirements (1/8 power, pink noise at 4 ohms, 120V) 6.3A 6A
Frequency Response 20 Hz - 20 kHz, +0, -1 dB
Dynamic Headroom (4 ohms) 2 dB
Input Impedance (ohms) Greater than 20k (balanced)
Maximum Input Level
 +24 dB (16 Vrms)
Input Connectors (each channel) 3-pin XLR and 1/4" TRS, balanced, parallel
Phono, unbalanced
Output Connectors (each channel) Speakon®, 1/4", Binding Posts  
Amplifier and Load Protection Short circuit, open circuit, thermal, RF protection
Load protected against DC faults
Front Panel Controls and Indicators Gain controls, 21 detents
Red Clip LEDs, proportional, 0.1% THD threshold
Green Signal LEDs, threshold -35 dB
Blue Power LED, AC on
Rear Panel Controls Full Range / Crossover switch
100 Hz, 3rd order LP (sub), 2nd order HP (top)		  
Dimensions Height: 3.5" (89 mm) 2RU
Width: 19" (483 mm)
Depth: 10.1" (257 mm)
Weight Net: 25 lbs (11.5 kg)
Shipping: 30 lbs (13.5 kg)		 Net: 26 lbs (12 kg)
Shipping: 31 lbs (14 kg)
Agency Approvals UL, CE, RoHS/WEEE Compliant
AC Power Consumption
AC Current and Heating, 120 VAC
  GX3 GX5
Operating Condition AC amps BTU / hr AC amps BTU / hr
Idle 0.2 44 0.3 60
8 + 8 ohms, 1/8 power 1 4.1 904 3.3 734
8 + 8 ohms, 1/3 power 2 6.1 1160 8.5 1456
8 + 8 ohms, full power 3 9.75 1109 16.2 1891
4 + 4 ohms, 1/8 power 1 6.3 1515 5.8 1160
4 + 4 ohms, 1/3 power 2 9.4 2105 11.2 2162
4 + 4 ohms, full power 3 15.0 2297 24.5 3754
1 1/8 power represents typical operating conditions
2 1/3 power represents peak program levels
3 Full power is breaker limited to short periods
For 230 V, multiply AC current by 0.5
For 100 V, multiply AC current by 1.25

* At onset of clipping

All Specifications Subject to Change Without Notice.

GX Series Rear Panel
  Inputs
XLR, 1/4" TRS and phono input connectors for compatibility with any source.		 Crossover
Subwoofer/Satellite crossover built-in.		 Outputs to Speakers
Speakon® combo output connector accepts 1/4" or Speakon 2 wire connectors.
Binding post output for compatibility with any loudspeaker wiring scheme .
 

The GX Series supports a very useful selection of connection options. Try it for yourself.
Click and drag any of the input and output cables below.


If you don't see the rear panel of an amplifier an arrangement of cables, and want to try it out, you can install the Flash plugin.

  QSC, the QSC logo are registered trademarks of QSC Audio Products, LLC in the U.S. Patent and Trademark office and other countries.
US patent pending. Other patents may apply.
GuardRail is a trademark of QSC Audio Products, LLC
Speakon is a trademark of Neutrik
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