Amp with two 8 Ohm outputs

[newenglandrob]

This might seem like a common and simple question, but I haven't found the answer in a number of google and forum searches.

I have an amp with two speaker outs, labeled 8 ohms under each output. Does this mean that the amp can handle 4 ohms total -- since it says 8 ohms under each output, I can hook up an 8 ohm cab to each -- or can it only handle 8 ohms total -- meaning that I need two 16 ohm cabs?

I've also tried googling the manual, but no luck.

Much thanks to anyone who can set this straight.

[AdamR]

what amp is it ?

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by newenglandrob

Does this mean that the amp can handle 4 ohms total -- since it says 8 ohms under each output, I can hook up an 8 ohm cab to each

Probably.

-- or can it only handle 8 ohms total -- meaning that I need two 16 ohm cabs?

Very unlikely, as 16 ohm cabs are quite rare.

[Laurie Bass]

I am no expert but I will give this a try. I have a Traynor YBA 200-2 with 2 outputs. In between the 2 outputs is a switch that goes from 8 OHMS to 4 OHMS. So with 2 separate cabs(8 OHMS each) I plugged each cab in a output and by doing this,,if I had a speaker cable fail,,then one speaker would keep working. So each output I believe will accept a speaker that is either 8 OHMs or 4 OHMS. I would Google the amp and try to find a owners manual on line if you do not have one.

[Turock]

What is the amp?
Most likely, if SS or hybrid, you can connect one or two 8 ohm cabinets simultaneously, or one 4 ohm cabinet.

[newenglandrob]

Thanks for the response, all.

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

Probably.
Very unlikely, as 16 ohm cabs are quite rare.

Cheers, that's useful to know.

It's a Hartke HA2000 (200W) head that was taken from a 15" combo after the speaker blew.

I've been playing with one 8-ohm cab (1x15) for a long time doing just fine, but recently hooked up another 8-ohm cab to handle more volume, and I'm getting buzz from my speakers. :-/

My 1x15 is rated at 200W, and my 4x10 is rated at 400W, both are 8 ohms. Amp is 200W with two outputs labeled "8 ohms." Not sure what the problem is.

[RickenBoogie]

One obvious problem is pairing a 15 with a 410.

[newenglandrob]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

One obvious problem is pairing a 15 with a 410.

Is that because each 8-ohm cab shares an equal load, and the 15" speaker will be getting as much power as all 4 10's combined?

After reading your reply, I just searched for info on mixing speaker sizes, and most of the talk seems to be opinion or sound issues. What I want to know is whether or not I'm damaging my speakers or amp with the setup I have.

If so... The 15 sounds great on its own, but I need more volume. Any suggestions for pairing another cab with it?

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by newenglandrob

If so... The 15 sounds great on its own, but I need more volume. Any suggestions for pairing another cab with it?

Another identical 15.

[onosson]

My Hartke LH500 can handle a 4 ohm load, but has two outputs each labelled 8 ohm. It's a bit of a confusing way to do it, IMO.

[JHAz]

Originally Posted by newenglandrob

Is that because each 8-ohm cab shares an equal load, and the 15" speaker will be getting as much power as all 4 10's combined?

After reading your reply, I just searched for info on mixing speaker sizes, and most of the talk seems to be opinion or sound issues. What I want to know is whether or not I'm damaging my speakers or amp with the setup I have.

If so... The 15 sounds great on its own, but I need more volume. Any suggestions for pairing another cab with it?

You'll damage your amp if you drive it hard into an impedance that is too low. Probably not an issue here but you could google the amp and probably find the manual or other info from Hartke to confirm it's okay for a 4 ohm load. You'll damage the speakers if you feed more power into them than they can handle. Cab ratings, as somebody says ten times a day at least around here, are thermal capacity, and you can expect your speaker to run out of excursion at half that power or less. You can damage the speaker with power that won't melt the voice coil.

If you read any of the threads on mixing speakers you know the consensus answer(s). In general the takeway is that you'll get consistently better sound usually by stacking 2 identical cabs. Other configurations may sound fine, though. Since the 15 is a single coil receiving as much power as the four tens together, and since the four ten cab is likely to be more efficient (louder for the power input) you can protect your fifteen by stacking it on top so you can clearly hear if it's struggling/farting/fixin to blow up.
Turn down if you hear bad things from the speakers. If you hear bad things all the time, even at low volume, it's possible you have a damaged speaker already.

[walterw]

Originally Posted by Laurie Bass

I have a Traynor YBA 200-2 with 2 outputs. In between the 2 outputs is a switch that goes from 8 OHMS to 4 OHMS.

So each output I believe will accept a speaker that is either 8 OHMs or 4 OHMS.

not quite.

the two jacks are just in parallel ("hooked together", basically); the switch sets the total impedance, of all the speakers that happen to be plugged in, whether to each jack, or daisy-chained to other speakers.

that means with the switch @ "8Ω", you should plug in one 8Ω cab.

at "4Ω", you should plug in one 4Ω cab, or 2 8Ω cabs.

[Tunaman]

I concur baby

[walterw]

Originally Posted by newenglandrob

... The 15 sounds great on its own, but I need more volume. Any suggestions for pairing another cab with it?

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

Another identical 15.

Originally Posted by Tunaman

I concur baby

heck yeah!

[Tunaman]

Nice

[walterw]

likewise!

i might have to try stacking mine sideways like that for more height.

[Bubba Ghanoosh]

Is this your amp?
http://www.samsontech.com/site_media...500_manual.pdf

[newenglandrob]

Originally Posted by Bubba Ghanoosh

Is this your amp?
http://www.samsontech.com/site_media...500_manual.pdf

Yeah, wow. Thanks.

Originally Posted by JHAz

You'll damage your amp if you drive it hard into an impeYou'll damage the speakers if you feed more power into them than they can handle. Cab ratings, as somebody says ten times a day at least around here, are thermal capacity, and you can expect your speaker to run out of excursion at half that power or less. You can damage the speaker with power that won't melt the voice coil.

That helps a lot, man.

Originally Posted by onosson

My Hartke LH500 can handle a 4 ohm load, but has two outputs each labelled 8 ohm. It's a bit of a confusing way to do it, IMO.

Yeah it is. Good to know.

Originally Posted by Tunaman

I concur baby

(GK NEO stack)

Nice.

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

Another identical 15.

I'll try it out.


Thanks for your sharing your knowledge and experience, guys.

[keiththebassist]

I Have the same amp and I run two 8ohm cabs ( making the impedance 4 ohms) each going into their own output and it is just fine. I'm running a 1x15 and a 4x10 but looking for another 4x10 to replace the 115. Lemme know if you go with two 15's. Im really curious to hear the difference. Also, Hartke does make a 2x15 cab in case you wanna find one.

[walterw]

Originally Posted by walterw

i might have to try stacking mine sideways like that for more height.

well, i did just that, and it's a winner! it brought the top cab up a bit, making the mids and highs easier to hear, while having just about as much volume and low end as before.