Ampeg STV3-Pro

musicman9492 · #1 08-14-2011, 09:40 AM

So for the last 4 or 5 years ive had a 3-Pro/HLF410 setup. Practically made for each other but now because of size, Ive sold the HLF410 and am looking at either a Junior Goliath III 8ohm 210 (400watts) or a HyDrive 112 (300 Watts @ 4 or 8). My question is this: my 3-Pro pushes out 450W @ 4ohm / 275W @ 8ohm because of the wattage on the speaker cabs and the head, ill have to go 8ohm but will either of those cabs work with my head? My concern is that there is no switch or control on the 3-Pro to output at 8ohms and I havent been able to find out if it just 'knows' or if the amp will continue to feed out at 4up the speakers. Help please.

Venom of God · #2 08-14-2011, 09:47 AM

I don't understand all the science behind it, but it just "knows."

Jerrold Tiers · #3 08-14-2011, 10:09 AM

The load controls the current and power. it's "automatic" just because of physics. You don't need to worry about it on nearly all solid state amps.

Tube amps need the right setting.

The 3PRO is hybrid, having tubes almost all the way through but not in the "final stage", so it acts as an SS amp.

musicman9492 · #4 08-14-2011, 10:17 AM

So as long as i get an 8ohm speaker has more wattage than the 275 coming from my head nothing will get destroyed?

oldno.7 · #5 08-14-2011, 10:32 AM

I had an SVT3 Pro/Hartke 4.5 XL (8 ohms, 275 watts) setup for a number of years and never had a problem. I can't explain the engineering/science, but as others have stated, the amp recognizes the impedence, i.e., if you connect your SVT3 Pro to a single 8 ohm cabinet, it's not going to operate at 4 ohms.

musicman9492 · #6 08-14-2011, 10:42 AM

Cool, thank a lot guys.

RickenBoogie · #7 08-14-2011, 11:43 AM

Here's the thing: ANY amp can blow ANY speaker cab, and going from a 410 to a 210 or 112, you will LOSE volume. Alot of it. This may make you consider cranking the amp harder to regain the lost volume, which will in turn eventually fry your new cab. If a 410 was working for you, a pair of 210's will too. Anything less will be less. Less volume included. The amp produces it's wattage in direct relation to the load attatched, so if it's rated @ 275 at 8 ohms, then with an 8 ohm cab, that's what you'll get. Add another 8 ohm cab, and presto, back to 450 watts, split evenly between the 2 cabs. Iow, the amp does not "operate" at certain impedance levels, it just operates. It all depends on the speaker cab as to how much power it can generate.

musicman9492 · #8 08-14-2011, 11:52 AM

Okay, thanks Rick. Yeah, Im fine with it being quieter. I never could use the 410 for gigs anyways - it was just too big and bulky, despite the great tone and volume, to move around. It had just sat in my room as a tank of a practice amp. Also, I never really had the Amp's volume much beyond 12 or 1 o'clock. So mostly the new setup will be used as a monitor with a mic in front of it along with the direct-out from my 3-pro through the band's PA.

that said, thats a great explanation of the power. thanks so much. Ha! I learned something new and cleared up a huge headache.