The Ampeg B-410HE

Ian the bassist · #1 08-01-2011, 06:47 PM

Hey guys. I'm getting rid of my Ashdown 810 abm in order to make it easier to transport gear to gigs. And one of the offers I have been given is an Ampeg 4x10 with a bit of cash. I was just wondering what you guys think of this particular cab.

One thing I will say is I will be buying an ashdown 410H this week. So the Ampeg(If I decide to take the offer) would be daisy chained to it. Do you guys think this would make the sound not great(Since they are both different makes of cabs)

I will be running my Abm 900(Half of it is broken though so it acts as an Abm 500 for the moment). I noticed the specs on the Ampegs say 200 watt RMS. Yet the ashdown says 650 watts. Yet for some reason the Ampeg I was offered is 150 euro more expensive then the ABM 410H.

I know they're are a few questions in this thread mixed up so I'd appreciate if any of guys with experiance in this area would help me out.

Basically

1. Does the watt difference basically mean the Ampeg is less powerful(But RMS I have not seen on any other listing so I don't know what it means exactly)

2. Will the two different makes of cabs together sound crap(or not nearly as good if I had two of the sane cab).

3. Is this particular cab that I was offered decent.

I'm running out of options with my 8x10 as I don't seem to be getting money offered on it. So just want to make a decision asap.

Cheers
Ian

mattbass6945 · #2 08-01-2011, 06:59 PM

will it sound good? dunno until you plug it in. but as long as you are not pushing either cab too hard, it should sound fine, i would think.
nothing wrong with an ampeg 410.
just wondering...what is the power handling of those cabs and at what ohms? how much power are you pushing from the head?

Ian the bassist · #3 08-01-2011, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattbass6945

will it sound good? dunno until you plug it in. but as long as you are not pushing either cab too hard, it should sound fine, i would think.
nothing wrong with an ampeg 410.
just wondering...what is the power handling of those cabs and at what ohms? how much power are you pushing from the head?

Well I know that the minimum Ohms is 4 on the head. The wattage on the Ampeg is 200 RMS(Can you tell me what the RMS means? As Ampeg is the only company I have seen using this system) and on the 410H is 600 continuous at a 900 watt program. Both of the 4x10's are 8 ohm.

Do you know what exactly is the difference between the ashdown wattage and the ampeg? As I said the ampeg is more expensive but the ashdown mentions more watts. So I thought that meant more power.

My 810 is a 1200 watt continuous at an 1800 watt program. And it's been running through the cab fine for the last 3 years. That is 4 ohms

JimmyM · #4 08-01-2011, 07:23 PM

It means the Ashdown should handle more power. The B410HE sounds great, but it doesn't take as much power as the SVT 410HE, which takes 400w. But Ampeg uses real world power handling ratings known as "displacement power handling ratings," and Ashdown uses thermal ratings, which are generally about half of what the thermal rating is. So in likelihood, the Ashdown would probably clock in at around 300w of useful power handling.

Would they work well together? Maybe, maybe not. Results from mixing cabs is very unpredictable. For that reason, I always recommend using only matching cabs.

mattbass6945 · #5 08-01-2011, 07:24 PM

my understanding (and i'm sure someone will correct me soon if i'm off here), and this is not my area of expertise, is that continuos is essentially the same as rms. that is the point it can consistently handle without unwanted distortion or causing damage.
if both cabs are 8 ohms, then with the head rated at 4 ohms you are golden. how much power does your ampp head put out.

mattbass6945 · #6 08-01-2011, 07:26 PM

much thanx to jimmy (soon to be my new best friend in the ampeg brotherhood...)

JimmyM · #7 08-01-2011, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattbass6945

much thanx to jimmy (soon to be my new best friend in the ampeg brotherhood...)

The more the merrier! What are you getting?

Ian the bassist · #8 08-01-2011, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattbass6945

my understanding (and i'm sure someone will correct me soon if i'm off here), and this is not my area of expertise, is that continuos is essentially the same as rms. that is the point it can consistently handle without unwanted distortion or causing damage.
if both cabs are 8 ohms, then with the head rated at 4 ohms you are golden. how much power does your ampp head put out.

Pretty sure it's 575 watts.

JimmyM · #9 08-01-2011, 07:32 PM

Here's the way I look at cab ratings:

Program: Marketing-speak
Continuous: Marketing-speak
RMS: Semi accurate marketing-speak

Ian the bassist · #10 08-01-2011, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

It means the Ashdown should handle more power. The B410HE sounds great, but it doesn't take as much power as the SVT 410HE, which takes 400w. But Ampeg uses real world power handling ratings known as "displacement power handling ratings," and Ashdown uses thermal ratings, which are generally about half of what the thermal rating is. So in likelihood, the Ashdown would probably clock in at around 300w of useful power handling.

Would they work well together? Maybe, maybe not. Results from mixing cabs is very unpredictable. For that reason, I always recommend using only matching cabs.

Thanks very much for the detailed replies.

Weird how the Ashdown would have what I would consider alot more power. Yet the ampeg is a fiar bit more expensive. I have that same line of thinking.

But at this stage my 8x10 abm isn't getting any other offers. So I can either keep it and have the 4x10 ashdown for smaller gigs and the 8x10 ashdown for bigger ones, or else I can get this ampeg, maybe 200 euro as well, which will pay for the 4x10 and I won't be out of pocket.

(The whole reason I'm trying to sell the Abm 810 is it is very hard to transport, having the option of just taking one 4x10 or two would make it easier to transport)

mattbass6945 · #11 08-01-2011, 07:39 PM

to jimmy, always had ampeg, got rid of an pr4x10, 8x10e and svt3 via divorce. replaced by courteous drummer and friend by an svt cl and 8x10e. trying to build back up now to my own rig.....wish me luck.
never realised there was so much wiggle room in what should be a "factual measurement" of some sort. as if we need more confusion!

JimmyM · #12 08-01-2011, 07:43 PM

Wow, you have great friends! Well don't look to me to be so generous

but glad to know you!

And you are right...I totally agree that there needs to be some standard, but big numbers sell and the public is apathetic about it, so I guess it'll never change, even though I think it's dishonest.