Monoprice 2CH/3CH/5CH and 7CH Amplifier Comparison Preview

By Gene DellaSala — September 16, 2016

Summary

Product Name: 2CH, 3CH, 5CH, 7CH
Manufacturer: Monoprice
Review Date: September 16, 2016 12:05
MSRP: $999 (2CH); $1,099 (3CH); $1,299 (5CH)
First Impression: Gotta Have It!
Monoprice is offering 2CH, 3CH and 5CH versions of their awesome 7CH amplifier that made everyone take notice last summer. Starting at $999, you will get 200wpc that will make your speakers sing.

Buy Now

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Monolith took the internet by storm with their 7x200 Multi-Channel Home Theater Power Amplifier. For $1,499, they delivered a 92lb Class AB amp with a large enough power supply and heatsink area to deliver its rated power with all channels driven, no BS. Best of all it is based off a field tested design that works brilliantly with a build quality and layout that rivals many of its competitors at multiples of their asking price. Yes folks, this is solid amplifier design 101 and Monoprice is delivering. But what if you don't need seven channels of amplification? No worries. Monoprice just announced two, three, and five channel versions of this award winning design at the CEDIA 2016 Expo show in Dallas, Texas.

Pricing is as follows:

2x200 $999.99
3x200 $1,099.99
5x200 $1,299.99
7x200 $1,499.99

Monolith Two-Channel Stereo Amplifier

For your convenience we have tabulated the specs of each amplifier below:

Model	15595	15594	15593	14566
Number of Channels	2	3	5	7
EIA 1kHz Output Power at 8 Ohms*	250 watts	250 watts	250 watts	250 watts
EIA 1kHz Output Power at 4 Ohms*	375 watts	375 watts	375 watts	375 watts
FTC Full Bandwidth Output Power at 8 Ohms**	200 watts	200 watts	200 watts	200 watts
FTC Full Bandwidth Output Power at 4 Ohms**	300 watts	300 watts	300 watts	300 watts
Input Sensitivity for Full Rated Power	1.6 volts	1.6 volts	1.6 volts	1.6 volts
Frequency Response at Rated Output	20Hz to 20kHz ±0.1dB	20Hz to 20kHz ±0.1dB	20Hz to 20kHz ±0.1dB	20Hz to 20kHz ±0.1dB
Phase Response	+5 to -15 degrees from 20Hz to 20kHz at 1 watt	+5 to -15 degrees from 20Hz to 20kHz at 1 watt	+5 to -15 degrees from 20Hz to 20kHz at 1 watt	+5 to -15 degrees from 20Hz to 20kHz at 1 watt
Signal-to-Noise Ratio "A-Weighted"	Greater than 120dB below rated FTC Full Bandwidth Power	Greater than 120dB below rated FTC Full Bandwidth Power	Greater than 120dB below rated FTC Full Bandwidth Power	Greater than 120dB below rated FTC Full Bandwidth Power
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)	Less than 0.03% at full rated FTC power	Less than 0.03% at full rated FTC power	Less than 0.03% at full rated FTC power	Less than 0.03% at full rated FTC power
Less than 0.005% at full EIA power at 1kHz	Less than 0.005% at full EIA power at 1kHz	Less than 0.005% at full EIA power at 1kHz	Less than 0.005% at full EIA power at 1kHz
Intermodulation Distortion (IMD)	Less than 0.03% at full rated FTC power	Less than 0.03% at full rated FTC power	Less than 0.03% at full rated FTC power	Less than 0.03% at full rated FTC power
Less than 0.005% at full EIA power at 1kHz	Less than 0.005% at full EIA power at 1kHz	Less than 0.005% at full EIA power at 1kHz	Less than 0.005% at full EIA power at 1kHz
Toroidal Transformers	1 (800VA)	1 (1,025VA)	2 (1,230VA and 1,025VA)	2 (1,230VA and 1,025VA)
Model	15595	15594	15593	14566
Total Capacitance	44,800µF (22,400µF per channel)	67,200µF (22,400µF per channel)	112,000µF (22,400µF per channel)	156,800µF (22,400µF per channel)
Load Impedance	Safe with all types of loads	Safe with all types of loads	Safe with all types of loads	Safe with all types of loads
Rated for 4 to 16 ohms	Rated for 4 to 16 ohms	Rated for 4 to 16 ohms	Rated for 4 to 16 ohms
Power Bandwidth	FTC +0, -3dB from 5Hz ~ 100kHz	FTC +0, -3dB from 5Hz ~ 100kHz	FTC +0, -3dB from 5Hz ~ 100kHz	FTC +0, -3dB from 5Hz ~ 100kHz
Damping Factor	Greater than 400 from 10Hz ~ 100kHz	Greater than 400 from 10Hz ~ 100kHz	Greater than 400 from 10Hz ~ 100kHz	Greater than 400 from 10Hz ~ 100kHz
Crosstalk	Greater than 100dB from 20Hz ~ 20kHz	Greater than 100dB from 20Hz ~ 20kHz	Greater than 100dB from 20Hz ~ 20kHz	Greater than 100dB from 20Hz ~ 20kHz
Gain	Voltage gain of 28dB	Voltage gain of 28dB	Voltage gain of 28dB	Voltage gain of 28dB
Slew Rate	> 50V / µS	> 50V / µS	> 50V / µS	> 50V / µS
Input Impedance	28 kilohms (nominal)	28 kilohms (nominal)	28 kilohms (nominal)	28 kilohms (nominal)
Remote Trigger Voltage	3.3 ~ 24.0 VDC at 5mA or greater	3.3 ~ 24.0 VDC at 5mA or greater	3.3 ~ 24.0 VDC at 5mA or greater	3.3 ~ 24.0 VDC at 5mA or greater
DC Output Offset	Less than ±5mV	Less than ±5mV	Less than ±5mV	Less than ±5mV
Input Power	120 VAC (nominal)	120 VAC (nominal)	120 VAC (nominal)	120 VAC (nominal)
Chassis Dimensions	17.0" x 7.0" x 13.29"	17.0" x 7.0" x 13.29"	17.0" x 7.0" x 16.5"	17.0" x 7.0" x 16.5"
Net Weight	48 lbs. (21.82kg)	57.0 lbs. (25.91kg)	78.2 lbs. (35.6kg)	93.2 lbs. (42.3kg)

All power ratings are measured with all channels driven.
* EIA 1kHz Power refers to maximum average power in watts at 1kHz with 0.005% THD and noise.
** FTC Full Bandwidth Power refers to maximum average power in watts from 20Hz to 20kHz with 0.03% THD and noise.

Initial Thoughts

We like what we are seeing from Monoprice. They now have a complete line of amplifiers to go toe to toe with any of their ID competitors and will put the traditional B&M brands on notice. Starting at just $999, you can have the two-channel version of this meaty Class AB amp that will dish out a solid 200wpc continuously (8 ohm). Give your AV receiver a shot of adrenaline by picking up one of these babies today. Your speakers will thank you.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.

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