Peavey has been supplying some of the world's most powerful amplification to performing musicians for decades, and its Peavey CS4080 Power Amplifiers are the highest powered iteration in the popular CS Power Amp line. The CS4080 is rated for a maximum output of 4080 watts in bridged mono mode, and is especially well suited to situations in which high impedance speakers are used. While the CS4000 Power Amp can supply 900 watts per channel at 1 x 8 ohms, the CS4080 ups the power to 1400 watts. The end result is that the CS4080 can maintain high sound quality at louder volumes than any other amplifier in the CS product range.

Sound quality is one of the aspects that has built Peavey's excellent standing among musicians, and the CS4080 delivers on that promise, providing plenty of headroom to avoid distortion at high volumes, and enough power to fill the largest indoor or outdoor concert venues. Additionally, like the other amplifiers in the CS range, the CS4080 can output sound in stereo, dual channel mono, or bridged mono. In bridged mode, the two separate channels are combined, making the full 4080 watts of the amplifier available for a single channel of output. Because the CS4080 can output in stereo or mono, it is an ideal choice for both instrumentalists and DJs.

An extremely useful feature of the CS4080 is the fact that it automatically mutes all output when the power is switched on or off, preventing loud pops. This is particularly valuable in outdoor settings, when power can unexpectedly be lost. In addition to this feature, the CS4080 also has extensive circuitry protecting vital internal components in the event of an overload, along with a self-limiting feature that will automatically lower the output volume if it detects that the speakers will be overloaded by the input. Finally, since heat is a concern when working with 4080 watts of power, the CS4080 is equipped with internal heat sinks and fans that automatically increase in speed when needed.

A touring band would do well to have Peavey CS4080 Power Amplifiers on stage. It is a workhorse that can withstand a high level of abuse and still power day-long events without flinching. The CS4080 is not for small venues, however. Bands that are still in the rehearsal stages or only playing smaller clubs should consider purchasing one of the many Peavey combo amps instead, as they will not overpower a small venue in the way that the CS4080 would.

Peavey CS4080 Power Amplifiers - Summary:
* Delivers up to 4080 watts of power in bridged mono operation
* Ideal for bands that play outdoors or in very large venues
* Able to output in mono or stereo, making it suitable for DJs or house music, as well as instrumentalists
* Several protective measures to prevent the unit from being damaged when power or heat conditions are unfavorable
* Power output is quite high for small clubs and concert halls and can easily overpower them

In addition to being able to provide mono amplification for instruments and vocals, the Peavey CS4000 is also able to output in stereo, making it suitable for house music and DJs. Peavey is known for pure, uncolored sound, and the CS4000 provides what musicians have come to expect: bass that pounds without sounding flabby, and highs that are crisp but never shrill. The Peavey CS series has been the workhorse of performing musicians for decades, and the sound quality of the CS4000 rivals that of many studio amplifiers.

While Peavey CS4000 Power Amplifiers are the ideal choice for a band or artist that plays very large or outdoor venues, musicians playing small to medium halls and clubs would be happier with the slightly lower powered CS3000, or with one of Peavey's many combo amplifiers, depending on the size of the venue.

With an amplifier that can produce more than 4000 watts of power, safety becomes a concern. For this reason, Peavey has outfitted the CS4000 with several safety measures. To prevent overheating under harsh stage conditions that can include bright lights or sun and little air conditioning, the CS4000 has internal heat sinks and variable speed fans. If a channel is ever in danger of overheating, it will automatically switch off, and that channel's fan will spin at full speed until normal operation can be restored. Meanwhile, the other channel will continue to operate. If there is ever an electrical issue that could damage the amplifier, it will detect the impending damage the shut off. Even more appealingly for concert situations, if the input volume going into the amplifier is too high, it will automatically limit the output to the speakers to prevent a blow out. When the volume is being limited, an LED on the front of the amplifier will switch on to warn the user. Finally, to prevent a loud pop, the amplifier will automatically mute output when the power button is switched off.

In its nearly 45 years of existence, Peavey has built a reputation for its amplifiers on three main selling points: clean sound, durability, and loudness. With its Peavey CS4000 Power Amplifiers, this standard of excellence has been raised to a new level. In bridged mono mode, the Peavey CS4000 is capable of a maximum output of 4000 watts. This puts the amplifier firmly into the territory of being the ideal hardware for very large or outdoor concert venues, where it can supply more than enough amplification power necessary to supply clear sound to the very back rows.

Peavey CS4000 Power Amplifiers - Summary:
* Rated for 4,000 watts of total power in bridged mono mode
* Suitable for very large or outdoor venues
* Able to output in mono for instruments and vocals, or stereo for DJs and house music
* Numerous protective measures to keep the equipment safe when heat or electrical conditions become dangerous
* Power output is very high and the volume level can easily overpower small to medium sized venues

Since 1965, Peavey has been among the top names in the sound amplification business, and its Peavey CS3000 Power Amplifiers are no exception. They do one thing, and they do it extremely well: they play music, very loudly. The CS3000 has a rated bridged power of 3,050 watts, more than enough to provide sufficient volume for any small or medium-sized club or concert hall. It is a dual channel amplifier, suitable for instrument, vocal, or full-stereo amplification, making it equally worthwhile for DJs and bands. It also has a unique bridged monaural mode, in which the two channels are used together. This is powerful enough to create potentially lethal voltage, and must be used with extreme care.

The CS3000 delivers extremely accurate sound reproduction on similarly high-powered speakers, with punchy bass and crisp highs. It has the endurance to survive all-day music events, and harsh road conditions. Although this is certainly not recommended, there have been numerous reports of the CS3000 being dropped on hard surfaces, and surviving. Peavey backs the CS3000 with a five year warranty.

Due to the power of the CS3000, a number of safety features are included, which will be welcomed by musicians who are worried about overheating or speaker damage. One of these is called DDT, short for Distortion Detection Technique. This feature is present in an LED at the front of the amplifier. If the LED is solidly lit, the amplifier is actively limiting the master volume to prevent distortion from damaging the speakers. The amplifier also includes two internal fans and heat sinks, protecting the unit from overheating, and a variety of protective measures for electrical issues.

Although they are excellent in many performance scenarios, Peavey CS3000 Power Amps are not for every type of musician. Bands and DJs who perform in very large venues would do better to select an amplifier with higher power, such as the CS4000 or CS4080, and musicians who need an amplifier for rehearsals or small venues such as coffee shops will find that the CS3000 produces too much power. Musicians who play at small venues would be happier with a combo amp such as the Peavey Classic or Studio Special models.

Overall, the Peavey CS3000 Power Amplifier is an excellent choice for any musician who performs at medium-sized venues. The sound that it produces is crisp and accurate with tight bass response, and the loudness is more than sufficient for nearly any performance situation outside of the smallest coffee houses or largest arenas.

Peavey CS3000 Power Amplifiers Summary:
• Rated for 3,050 watts of total bridged power
• Powerful enough for clubs, small to medium concert halls, and some outdoor venues
• Can output in stereo for DJs or house music, mono for instrumentalists or vocalists, or high output bridged mono
• Runs cool in any normal performance environment
• Built-in protective circuitry keeps the unit safe from electrical overload and speakers safe from distortion
• Not an ideal choice for extremely small or large concert venues

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Related Peavey Power Amplifier Reviews:

» Peavey CS4080 Power Amplifiers

A touring band would do well to have Peavey CS4080 Power Amplifiers on stage. It is a workhorse that can withstand a high level of abuse and still power day-long events without flinching...

» Peavey CS4000 Power Amplifiers

In addition to being able to provide mono amplification for instruments and vocals, the Peavey CS4000 is also able to output in stereo, making it suitable for house music and DJs. Peavey is known for pure, uncolored sound, and the CS4000 provides what musicians have come to expect: bass that pounds without sounding flabby, and highs that are crisp but never shrill...

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