Mackie, a sound reinforcement company providing amplification, mixing, and monitoring equipment for studios and performing musicians, has long been a technological pioneer in the field. One of their innovations is a technology known as Fast Recovery, which first made its debut in Mackie's FR series of power amplifiers. Mackie FR 2500 Power Amplifiers are the flagship product in the FR series, offering up to 2500 watts of unbridled muscle to help power your way through your next live concert or DJ set.

FR, short for Fast Recovery, has become such a popular feature that it is now included across nearly the entire range of products that Mackie produces. This technology was born out of the necessity to solve a problem found in traditional power amplifiers. Often, if the input signal level being sent to an amplifier is loud enough to cause clipping, an amplifier can become "stuck" in that mode, continuing to send clipped waveforms to the speakers for a few moments even after the volume level is reduced, greatly offending the ears of audiences. Mackie's FR technology ensures that when clipping does occur, the FR 2500 will return to normal operation as quickly as is possible. The FR 2500 also features an automatic limiter, which serves to help prevent clipping from occurring in the first place. When a clipped waveform is detected as the result of a transient attack such as a loud snare drum fill, the internal gain of the amplifier will be reduced to prevent clipping. The effect is nearly completely transparent to the listener. However, this automatic limiting can also be disabled, if desired.

In addition to the 2500 watts offered in bridged mono operation, the FR 2500 is capable of producing up to 1400 watts per channel in stereo mode. This is more than enough power to drive a subwoofer. However, in the event that speakers which are unable to handle subsonic frequencies are used, the FR 2500 also features a user selectable high pass filter at 30 Hz. When enabled, the filter attenuates all frequencies that are below the normal range of human hearing, preventing the speaker damage that can occur to main speakers as a result these extremely low frequency bass sounds.

Mackie FR 2500 Power Amplifiers are cooled by variable speed fans, and maintain the utmost in thermal efficiency when mounted in the proper rackmount configuration. They weigh an extremely solid 56.2 pounds, and are backed by Mackie's three year factory warranty.

Mackie FR 2500 Power Amplifiers - Summary:
* Rated for a maximum of 2500 watts (mono, bridged) or 1400 watts per channel (stereo, 2 ohms)
* User selectable low pass filter protects main speakers from subsonic bass frequency damage
* Limiting circuit automatically adjusts internal gain when transient clipped waveforms are detected
* Fast Recovery technology ensures that the amplifier will quickly return to normal operation when clipping does occur

Mackie FR 1400 Power Amplifiers are the middle product in the FR series. The FR 1400 is a dual channel power amplifier capable of producing up to 1400 watts when bridged and put into single speaker operation, or up to 800 watts per channel in the standard stereo mode. This is more than enough power for bands or DJs that perform in small to medium sized concert venues. However, bands that expect to play in very large concert halls may choose to opt for the more powerful FR 2500.

The FR 1400 is equipped with two major features that enable it to be used in a wide variety of applications. The first is a high pass filter at 30 Hz. When enabled, this filter protects speakers from the damage that can be caused by subsonic frequencies that they can not reproduce. The filter can be just as easily disabled, however, enabling the FR 1400 to be operated as an amplifier for a subwoofer or drum kit. The other primary feature is a limiting circuit, which can also be enabled or disabled via a switch at the back of the unit. The limiting circuit automatically detects the transient attacks from bass pops or drum fills that can sometimes cause clipping, and transparently adjusts the input gain to prevent speaker damage. During normal operation, most users will not even be able to detect the fact that the limiting circuit is turned on. However, for quiet environments such as studio usage, the limiter can be disabled.

The FR 1400 is engineered for maximum thermal efficiency, and when installed in the correct rackmount configuration, should never encounter issues with overheating. It is constructed from solid steel, weighing in at a hefty 48.5 pounds. It is backed by a three year limited warranty, in which it is guaranteed by Mackie not to fail or to suffer from any workmanship defects.

Mackie, a producer of sound reinforcement equipment for studio professionals and musicians, has recently expanded its already considerable product line by adding power amplifiers. With its FR series of power amplifiers, Mackie pioneered its exclusive Fast Recovery technology. Traditional power amplifiers, when sent a signal high enough in amplitude to cause clipping, can occasionally remain "stuck" in sending clipped waveforms to the speakers. Fast Recovery prevents this, by isolating and limiting those waveforms, returning quickly to normal operation without offending the ears of your audience.

Mackie FR 1400 Power Amplifiers - Summary:
* Rated to produce a maximum output of 1400 watts (bridged, mono) or 800 watts per channel (stereo, 2 ohm speaker load)
* Features include a 30 Hz high pass filter and limiting circuit, to protect speakers from being damaged due to transient attacks of subsonic frequencies - both can be disabled if desired
* Solidly constructed, and cooled through a forced air induction fan system
* Backed by a three year warranty

The FR 800 is a dual channel power amplifier, capable of producing a maximum of 800 watts when driving a 4 ohm speaker in bridged mode, or up to 480 watts per channel when driving a pair of 2 ohm speakers. The "FR" in the model name is short for "Fast Recovery", the unique technology that is now found throughout the Mackie product range. Traditional power amplifiers can easily become stuck in "clipping mode" when a clipped signal (resulting from input levels that are too high) is sent through them. Fast Recovery allows the FR 800 to quickly return to normal operation after clipping, sparing your speakers and the ears of your audience. Additionally, the FR 800 features automatic limiting technology, which is easily enabled or disabled by a switch located on the unit's back panel. When enabled, the FR 800 automatically detects the high volume transient attacks that can sometimes occur when a bassist or a drummer plays a brief, energetic fill. When this happens, the amplifier will quickly reduce its input gain, resulting in safe, non-clipped waveforms to be sent to the speakers. This safety measure is nearly transparent, and it is seldom possible to notice it at all.

Offering further protection to your equipment is the subsonic frequency filter, also located on the back panel of the FR 800. When enabled, the FR 800 engages a high pass filter at 30 Hz, gently attenuating frequencies that are below the range of human hearing. This protects speakers that are unable to reproduce those frequencies that are felt, rather than heard, such as from a bass drum. When a drum kit needs to be amplified, however, or a subwoofer needs to be driven by the amplifier, the subsonic filter can easily be disabled.

Mackie FR 800 Power Amplifiers are engineered with a solid, all-steel rackmount design, weighing a hefty 43.6 pounds. They are protected against defects in workmanship, or against equipment failure, for a period of three years after purchase.

The Mackie brand has become famous worldwide as a provider of top quality sound reinforcement to both recording studios and touring acts. Mackie's mixers, speakers, and amplifiers are among the most respected in the industry. Mackie FR 800 Power Amplifiers represent a new entry into the world of live sound amplification, and include a number of features to enhance sound quality and reliability, not found previously at such a low price point.

Mackie FR 800 Power Amplifiers - Summary:
* Maximum rated power output of 800 watts (bridged, mono) or 480 watts per channel (stereo, 2 ohms)
* User selectable volume limiter and high pass filter protect the amplifier's internal circuitry and your speakers from clipped waveforms and subsonic frequencies
* Fast Recovery technology enables the amplifier to recover quickly after entering clipping mode
* Heavy rackmount construction, protected against defects or equipment failure for three years after purchase