Bass amp/cab power handling question...

jonnyboy1 · #1 12-20-2010, 08:22 PM

Hey guys,

I'm running a GK MB500 (rated at 500w @ 4ohm i think) with a GK NEO 112 (rated at 300w @ 8ohm)

I'm looking to add a Behringer BB115 to the mix for some low end. This runs at 600 @ 8ohm, according to their wesbite.

Would the combination of the 112 and 115 work? Would my amp be too much/not enough?

Any suggestions are appreciated!

Cheers

derridiandrift · #2 12-20-2010, 08:33 PM

Together those cabs would present a 4 ohm load to your amp. That means you'd have the potential to get the full 500 watts out of your amp. Theoretically, the specs you cited will handle the power because the alleged 500 watts is distributed between two voice coils that are both 8 ohms, which means they should each dissipate about 250 watts of energy. So it should "work" in theory. The questions then become 1. how accurate are all of the specs you've cited, and 2.how good will these two cabs sound together. The first question will be answered if you push speakers hard. The second question is for you to answer. Either you like it or you don't.

jonnyboy1 · #3 12-20-2010, 08:37 PM

I just checked and the specs are correct, going off the manufactures websites.

I wont be pushing it hard. The 115 will be for bottom end, turning off the tweeter. The 112 will be providing the mid/high.

I just wanna make sure that I dont blow either of them (I think there is more chance of the 112 blowing more than the 115)

Bass_Pounder · #4 12-20-2010, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnyboy1

I just checked and the specs are correct, going off the manufactures websites.

I wont be pushing it hard. The 115 will be for bottom end, turning off the tweeter. The 112 will be providing the mid/high.

I just wanna make sure that I dont blow either of them (I think there is more chance of the 112 blowing more than the 115)

Speaker size alone does not dictate it's frequency range.

What makes you think that a Behringer speaker (of all things) would be lower than a GK 12" ?

Your probably better off getting another identicle 12 cab.

jonnyboy1 · #5 12-20-2010, 09:40 PM

The Behringer, I know is lower quality, has been offered cheap

derridiandrift · #6 12-20-2010, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

Speaker size alone does not dictate it's frequency range.

What makes you think that a Behringer speaker (of all things) would be lower than a GK 12" ?

Your probably better off getting another identicle 12 cab.

This makes WAY more sense than mixing different size and brands of drivers. The Behringer is cheap for a reason.

jonnyboy1 · #7 12-20-2010, 09:45 PM

The amp head is rated for 350w at 8ohm. The 112 300 @ 8ohm.

Is that safe to run? Is there much chance of the cab blowing? Its not going to be used hard/loud

derridiandrift · #8 12-20-2010, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnyboy1

I just checked and the specs are correct, going off the manufactures websites.

I wont be pushing it hard. The 115 will be for bottom end, turning off the tweeter. The 112 will be providing the mid/high.

I just wanna make sure that I dont blow either of them (I think there is more chance of the 112 blowing more than the 115)

Further to the response you already got on this, I don't doubt that you accurately copied the specs from the Behringer web site. What I doubt is that the Behringer speaker is actually capable of handling as much power as they claim.

If I were a betting man, I'd bet that the Behringer would blow before the GK in a shoot-out.

derridiandrift · #9 12-20-2010, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnyboy1

The amp head is rated for 350w at 8ohm. The 112 300 @ 8ohm.

Is that safe to run? Is there much chance of the cab blowing? Its not going to be used hard/loud

It should be fine to run as a small rig with these two GK pieces. It's actually better for speaker life if the amp is a bit more powerful than the limit of the speaker. Where you'll run into trouble is if you try to use this rig in a situation where you need to compete with a really loud drummer and guitar players.

jonnyboy1 · #10 12-20-2010, 09:59 PM

Thanks guys

JimmyM · #11 12-20-2010, 10:23 PM

i have never seen a 115 cab in my life that handles 600w (excluding those low frequency neo/mid driver cabs like the fearful), and behringer is certainly not going to be the first.

Balog · #12 12-20-2010, 11:01 PM

Amp faq has some things to say about this.

Has anyone blown any speakers by having too much clean power?

Amp output and cab power, dumb question