Ampeg SVT810E hookup options: what's best?

[Engine207]

I recently purchased a USA Ampeg cabinet and am not sure how to best connect it with my Marshall MB450H head, which is 450W@2 ohms, and 300W@4ohms.

I plan on getting Speakon cables at some point, but until then, I have ordinary speaker cables. How do I get the most from my new cab? Thanks, in advance.

Here's a photo of the back hookup panel of the Ampeg.

And one of the Marshall.

[mountainmike]

your Marshall has two jack-speakon combi outputs - connect either of these with with either one of the mono inputs of your Ampeg (one of the two lower jacks) - this would set you up with a 300w@4-Ohm configuration - to use your Marshall's 450w@2-Ohm modus you'd need to connect another 4-Ohm cab (at least 250w) in parallel with your Ampeg (via the cabs's speakon/jackplates, or using your Marshall's second jack-speakon combi output) - I've never heard of a single 2-Ohm cab, you'd probably have to modify or build one yourself - I suggest stacking two smaller 4-Ohm cabs (both at least 250w) instead of using one or two 810s - antoher suggestion would be to get a different amp to go with you 810 - if I'm confusing you, please look into the Amp FAQ section of this forum - within a few minutes you'd know everything you need about hooking up amps & cabs

[Engine207]

Originally Posted by mountainmike

your Marshall has two jack-speakon combi outputs - connect either of these with with either one of the mono inputs of your Ampeg (one of the two lower jacks) - this would set you up with a 300w@4-Ohm configuration

Thanks, Mike! That's what I was getting at. This is my rig, as it stands, and I have no plans to modify or add to it (unless I find a screaming deal on a SVT CL head and replace the Marshall). What I was unsure about was if it mattered which of the head's outputs I used, if I didn't use both - like I did when I had a 410/115 setup.

The other thing that had me cornfused was the "Upper/Lower 4x10 Dual Mode Only" labels. It seemed to me that using the wrong jack would drive only four speakers (top or bottom). I simply want to drive all eight speakers with the full 300W I have available.

[carl h.]

http://www.ampeg.com/pdf/SVT810EAV.pdf

[Engine207]

Originally Posted by carl h.

http://www.ampeg.com/pdf/SVT810EAV.pdf

Thanks - Saved to desktop!