Advice needed for 2X10 + 2X10 Cab Setup

[BlountEdge]

Hi fellow TB's,

I could use a little advise in determining the best way to connect two 8ohm 2X10 cabinets with the following power amp specs:

2 X 210W @ 8 ohms
2 X 400W @ 4 ohms
1 X 800W @ 8 ohms bridged mode

Basically, I'd like to confirm that my understanding of these specs is correct and to determine which connection option will allow me to use both cabinets, with the most headroom.

Is the following true?:

1. If I use 1 cabinet per channel, I will only get 210 watts output into each cabinet.

2. If I connect both cabinets in parallel on 1 channel, I will get 400W of combined output into each both cabinets.

3. If I use the amp in bridged mode, I can only use 1 cabinet, not both.

If my assumptions are correct, is scenario #2 the best option for using both cabinets? Is there an alternative that I'm missing?

Also, if I use only 1 cabinet in bridged mode, could the 800W output be harmfull to either single cabinet? One is rated at 400W, the other at 550W. I would choose the 550W cab.

Thanks in advance for assistance.

[Peppacone]

The best scenario is you just trying 1 and 2, then deciding which you thought sounded best/was loudest.

[dbase]

+1

[sleepytime]

I would just stick with option 1 to put less heat stress on the amp.

[wcriley]

Originally Posted by BlountEdge

Also, if I use only 1 cabinet in bridged mode, could the 800W output be harmfull to either single cabinet? One is rated at 400W, the other at 550W. I would choose the 550W cab.

An amp doesn't automatically put out it's full rated power the moment you hook it up and start playing. Your amp can POTENTIALLY put out 800 watts when bridged. Use good judgement and listen to your cab for signs of distress and you'll be OK with either cab.

[cb56]

Option 1.
Then use the vol controls on each channel to balance the volume of each cab to be the same or however you want it.

[Roadkill]

Option 2 would only put 200w into each, the 400w @ 4 ohms get split between the two cabinets.

[Big B.]

Does your amp not function at 4 ohms bridged? All of the power amps I have owned allow you to bridge down to 2 ohms. If so I would run the amp bridged into both cabinets.

[BlountEdge]

Originally Posted by Big B.

Does your amp not function at 4 ohms bridged? All of the power amps I have owned allow you to bridge down to 2 ohms. If so I would run the amp bridged into both cabinets.

I'm not sure. The amp is an EBS EP800, which I bought used. The only info I have is a 2 page spec/features sheet that I received from EBS, which includes the specs listed in my OP. (1 X 800W @ 8ohms bridged mode). It does not mention 4 ohm functionality in bridged mode.

Perhaps someone here has experience with this model. If so, please jump in. Otherwise, I will send another email to EBS.

[BlountEdge]

Originally Posted by Roadkill

Option 2 would only put 200w into each, the 400w @ 4 ohms get split between the two cabinets.

Thanks for the clarification, Roadkill.

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by Big B.

Does your amp not function at 4 ohms bridged? All of the power amps I have owned allow you to bridge down to 2 ohms. If so I would run the amp bridged into both cabinets.

Very few, if any, power amps are bridgeable into a 2Ω load. That would require the amp to be stable at 1Ω per channel. As the specs for this amp only gives a 4Ω rating then 8Ω will be its minimum load in bridge.

[BlountEdge]

Thanks to all for the feedback and I welcome other opinions and perspectives.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by BlountEdge

Thanks to all for the feedback and I welcome other opinions and perspectives.

Run each cab to it's own channel, and forget about the watts, they don't matter.

[BlountEdge]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

Run each cab to it's own channel, and forget about the watts, they don't matter.

Thanks, Bill. I appreciate your advise.

Since I'm learning here, will you please elaborate a bit on your comment about the watts and why they don't matter?

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by BlountEdge

Thanks, Bill. I appreciate your advise.

Since I'm learning here, will you please elaborate a bit on your comment about the watts and why they don't matter?

Because your amp has enough power/voltage swing to drive your cabs to full output without bridging, and your amp can't bridge to a 4 ohm load anyway.

[BlountEdge]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

Because your amp has enough power/voltage swing to drive your cabs to full output without bridging, and your amp can't bridge to a 4 ohm load anyway.

Cool. Thanks again, Bill.

[BlountEdge]

Thanks to All.

One last question:

Since I'll be using two 2x10 cabinets, what is the proper method to connect the pre and power amps, if I use both channels of the power amp?

My preamp has 1 Full Range output and a Crossover with High and Low Pass options.

Should I use:

1. Full Range into both channels (with a Y cord)?

2. 1 channel Full Range + 1 channel Low Pass?

3. 1 channel Full Range + 1 channel High Pass?

4. 1 Channel Low Pass + 1 channel High Pass?

Thanks again for your help.

[groove pump]

I'd say send the full range output to the power amp. That crossover is probably more for "bi-amping" which you might want to do if you had let's say a single 2x10" cab running with a 1x18". You could run only the lower frequencies in your signal to the 1x18" and the higher stuff to the 2x10". I'm not much into that myself, though.

I also use a pair of 2x10" cabs with a preamp/power amp rig and I've got a lot more power (1,400 watts into 4 ohms bridged) than I "need" to run my cabs, but at least my rig isn't straining at its upper limit or farting out the cabs to produce good sound.

If I was using just one of your cabs with your rig, I wouldn't be afraid to use the one rated at 550 watts with the power amp bridged. Just use your ears though. If you're straining the cab, you'll hear its objections. Hopefully your amp doesn't go up to eleven...

[BlountEdge]

Thanks for the response, groove pump.

I'm familiar with the traditional biamp functionality when using different sized cabinets, but since I'm using two 2x10s, I wasn't sure how to proceed.

So, can the full range signal be split to the two channels? I want to have independent volume control for each cabinet.

[BlountEdge]

Are there any other opinions on this?