Multi-Channel System
Processing Amplifiers
PLD Series
PLD4.2 | PLD4.3 | PLD4.5
PLD4.2 | PLD4.3 | PLD4.5
Features
• Total power up to 8,000 watts.
• Flexible Amplifier Summing
Technology™ (FAST) drives most any
loudspeaker system or configuration by
distributing total amplifier power across
one, two, three or all four channels.
• Four channels of full function onboard
loudspeaker DSP with Crossover and
Parametric EQ Filters, Limiting and
Alignment Delay eliminate the need for
outboard loudspeaker processors.
• Powerful Intrinsic Correction™
processing maximizes the sonic
performance of QSC loudspeakers.
• 20 Factory Preset configurations that
can be modified and stored in the 50
User Presets.
• PowerLight universal switchmode
power supply with PFC for highest
effiency, improved audio performance,
and low weight.
• Four Input XLR connectors, and six
NL-4 Output connectors.
• Integrated front panel with channel
Select and Mute buttons, Input and
Output LED Metering, 400x240 LCD,
intuitive navigation buttons, LED power
button and indicator, and cast aluminum
handles.
• Preset Wizard simplifies amplifier
configuration providing loudspeaker
selection from a list of the top selling
passive speakers.
The QSC PLD Series represents a revolutionary
advancement in amplifier technology and
innovation. Designed specifically for the needs
of portable and production sound system
users, PLD provides efficient, robust and
extraordinarily high fidelity power to drive
multiple channels and configurations of
loudspeakers while simultaneously deploying
sophisticated digital processing – all with
minimal operator complexity. The PLD Series
consists of three powerful, lightweight, fourchannel amplifiers, each with onboard,
advanced DSP and the capability to configure
and combine channels in various ways to drive
a wide range of loudspeaker systems. These
amplifiers not only make your system perform
better today, but also provide a wide and
flexible range of options for future system
growth.
Flexible Amplifier Summing Technology™
(FAST)
PLD amplifiers feature Flexible Amplifier
Summing Technology™ (FAST) that actively
distributes the total amplifier power in various
combinations across one, two, three, or all four
outputs. This flexibility allows PLD Series
amplifiers to drive (for example) four full-range
loudspeakers or subwoofers; a high-power
subwoofer and a bi-amplified speaker; a single
high-power full-range loudspeaker and
subwoofer combo; or multiple power-hungry
subwoofers from a single, very high output
mono-block.
Advanced Amplifier Technology
The PLD Series amplifiers use QSC fourth
generation class-D power amp design in
combination with a custom power stage
utilizing a new, purpose-built output device.
These innovative MOSFET devices provide high
voltage operation without needing a full bridge
output and offer superior audio quality due to
co-location of the semiconductors. Additionally
PLD amps benefit from the famed and roadproven PowerLight power supply, further
enhanced with Power Factor Correction (PFC)
that aligns the current waveform with the AC
mains voltage waveform. PFC enables PLD
Series amps to draw current from the wall in a
more efficient and controlled manner resulting in
incredible power from a single standard AC
breaker. Additionally, the PLD Series amps
offer multi-stage sleep modes, saving energy
when possible without ever sacrificing
performance. The result is an exceptionally
powerful and flexible platform that offers low
weight and outstanding efficiency.
System Processing
PLD Series is more than just an amplifier; it is
also a capable and sophisticated loudspeaker
processor. The close integration of processing
and amplification allows the DSP to monitor
and better respond to amplifier behavior,
making dynamics processing far more accurate
and effective than that typically achieved with
separate components. This synergistic
approach employs both RMS and Peak Limiters
that allow the combination of amplifier and
loudspeaker to produce more output without
being pushed to distortion or destruction.
In addition to the dynamics processing, the
onboard DSP offers four channels of crossover
filters, parametric EQ, and alignment delay -
everything needed to optimize a loudspeaker
system. PLD amplifiers also offer Intrinsic
Correction™, a combination of IIR and FIR
Filtering and loudspeaker processing
methodology first developed for our WideLine
line array loudspeakers. Intrinsic Correction
compensates for the non-linearities in
loudspeaker array and horn design and results
in notably superior performance from your QSC
loudspeakers.
Preset Wizardry
The on-board processing is managed and
stored as presets, with 20 factory presets for
the most common loudspeaker applications.
For greater customization, the built-in Preset
Wizard streamlines amplifier setup and provides
loudspeaker selection from a list
of top selling passive loudspeakers.
Space Efficient
With four channels of amplification plus drive
rack signal processing in just 2RU, the PLD
Series replaces equipment taking up as much
as three times the rack-space.
Simple to Use
With a dedicated front panel UI complete with
LED meters and indicators, a 400x240 TFT
color display, a rotary encoder and ergonomic
navigation buttons, PLD amplifiers provide an
intuitive interface for the user to control the
system. The simplicity of the PLD amps is
further illustrated by the fact that a complete
system can be set up in mere minutes.
PLD Details
4 Independent Channels
A, B, C, D
2 Channels BTL Bridged
A+B or C+D
Doubles Voltage
2 Channels Parallel
AB or CD
Doubles Current
1 Channel 3CH Parallel
ABC
Triples Current
1 Channel Bridged/Parallel
AB+CD
Doubles Current and Voltage
1 Channel 4CH Parallel
ABCD
Quadruples Current
PLD4.2 PLD4.3 PLD4.5
Peak Peak Peak
8Ω 500 W 900 W 1200 W
4Ω 700 W 1400 W 2000 W
2Ω 625 W 1200 W 1600 W
8Ω 1200 W 2400 W 4000 W
4Ω 1500 W NR* NR*
2Ω NR* NR* NR*
8Ω 500 W 1300 W 1250 W
4Ω 950 W 2000 W 2400 W
2Ω 1200 W 2500 W 4000 W
8Ω 500 W 1400 W 1400 W
4Ω 950 W 2400 W 2500 W
2Ω 1800 W 3500 W 4500 W
8Ω 1600 W 3500 W 4500 W
4Ω 2500 W 5000 W 7500 W
2Ω NR* NR* NR*
8Ω 500 W 1400 W 1600 W
4Ω 1000 W 3000 W 3000 W
2Ω 1700 W 5000 W 5300 W
NR* = Not Recommended due to excessive current draw
BOLD = Optimal configuration for the load and channel count
PLD Details
PLD Spec Sheet 09/19/16
please recycle
Specifications subject to change without notice.
PLD4.2 PLD4.3 PLD4.5
Typical Distortion
8Ω
4Ω
0.01 - 0.03%
0.03 - 0.06%
0.01 - 0.03%
0.03 - 0.06%
0.01 - 0.03%
0.03 - 0.06%
Maximum Distortion
4Ω - 8Ω 1.0% 1.0% 1.0%
Frequency response (8Ω)
20 Hz - 15 kHz +/- 0.2 dB
20 Hz - 20 kHz +0.2 dB / -0.7 dB
20 Hz - 15 kHz +/- 0.2 dB
20 Hz - 20 kHz +0.2 dB / -0.7 dB
20 Hz - 15 kHz +/- 0.2 dB
20 Hz - 20 kHz +0.2 dB / -0.7 dB
Noise
Unweighted Output Unmuted
Weighted Output Muted
-101 dB
-109 dB
-101 dB
-109 dB
-101 dB
-109 dB
Gain (1.2V setting) 34.0 dB 38.4 dB 38.4 dB
Damping factor >150 >150 >150
Input impedance >10k, balanced or unbalanced >10k, balanced or unbalanced >10k, balanced or unbalanced
Maximum input level
(3.9V setting)
(1.2V setting)
12.28V (+24 dBu)
3.88V (+14 dBu)
12.28V (+24 dBu)
3.88V (+14 dBu)
12.28V (+24 dBu)
3.88V (+14 dBu)
Controls and indicators (front) Power • Channel MUTE Buttons • Channel SELECT Buttons • Channel Input Signal and CLIP LED Indicators •
Channel Output and LIMIT LED Meters • HOME, ENTER, EXIT, GAIN Navigation Buttons • Control Knob
Controls and indicators (rear) AC Power Disconnect AC Power Disconnect AC Power Disconnect
Input connectors Female XLR Female XLR Female XLR
Output connectors NL4 NL4 NL4
Amplifier and load protection Short circuit, open circuit, thermal, RF protection. On/Off muting, DC fault shutdown, active inrush limiting, input current limiting
AC Power Input Universal Power Supply 100 - 240 VAC, 50 - 60 Hz
Dimensions (HWD) 3.5” x 19” x 12”
(89mm x 482mm x 305mm)
3.5” x 19” x 16”
(89mm x 482mm x 406mm)
3.5” x 19” x 16”
(89mm x 482mm x 406mm)
Weight, Net / Shipping 18.5 lb (8.4 kg) / 22 lb (10.0 kg) 21.0 lb (9.5 kg) / 25 lb (11.3 kg) 22.0 lb (10.0 kg) / 26 lb (11.8 kg)
Agency approvals UL, CE, RoHS/WEEE compliant, FCC Class A (conducted and radiated emissions)
Carton contents Locking IEC Cable, Quick Start Guide, USB Cable
Burst Power - 20 ms 1 kHz sine burst, all channels driven
Continuous Power - EIA 1 kHz 1% THD, all channels driven
PLD4.2 PLD4.3 PLD4.5
Peak Peak Peak
8Ω 500 W 900 W 1000W
4Ω 700 W 1400 W 2000 W
2Ω 625 W 1200 W 1600 W
8Ω 1200 W 2400 W 4000 W
4Ω 1500 W NR* NR*
82Ω NR* NR* NR*
4Ω 500 W 1300 W 1250 W
2Ω 950 W 2000 W 2400 W
8Ω 1200 W 2500 W 4000 W
4Ω 950 W 2000 W 2400 W
2Ω 1200 W 2500 W 4000 W
8Ω 500 W 1400 W 1400 W
4Ω 950 W 2400 W 2500 W
2Ω 1800 W 3500 W 4500 W
8Ω 1600 W 3500 W 4500 W
4Ω 2500 W 5000 W 7500 W
2Ω NR* NR* NR*
8Ω 500 W 1400 W 1600 W
4Ω 1000 W 3000 W 3000 W
2Ω 1700 W 5000 W 5300 W
1675 MacArthur Boulevard • Costa Mesa, CA 92626 • Ph: 800/854-4079 or 714/957-7100 • Fax: 714/754-6174
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countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Patents may apply or be pending.