Amp question regarding series, parallel, and power handling

[ben12390]

SO...
I have a GK goldline bass head, 500watts at 4 ohms
i dont know what its power is at 8 ohms.

but i have a Ampeg 18e 1x18 bass cab, rated 175w at 8 ohms
and a Acoustic 4x10, rated 400w at 8 ohms.

my question to you, is do i run each cab out of a separate input on the back of the head?

or do i run them daisy chain.

i have no idea how any of this works

[BassmanPaul]

Both of the methods you describe amount to the same thing. BTW they are speaker OUTPUTS on the head.

Paul

[ben12390]

my bad about the output typo.

but will i damage the smaller ampeg cab in any way?

[will33]

With them both hooked up, the 18 would get about 250 watts, only if you crank the amp up to full output. The other limit a speaker has is excursion, which is often a good deal less than it's "wattage". Point is just listen to it, if it sounds distorted or farty, back off on either the bass knob, the volume or a bit of both. If it sounds good, don't worry.