Can a 2 ohm cable handle a 4 ohm head?

[twenty1thirteen]

Hi, please excuse my ignorance for impedance has always confused me. I tried searching the net and these forums, and can't seem to find a clear answer. I have the chance to buy a Peavey Bass 400 2x15 cab really cheap, which I think is 2 ohms, but my head is 4 ohms. Is this dangerous like I think it would be? Thanks in advance.

[will33]

Originally Posted by twenty1thirteen

Is this dangerous like I think it would be?

Yes it is, but the cab should be 4ohms, I'd check that. Not many, if any 2ohm cabs.

[Alex1984]

Yes, it could be bad. But I have doubts about the impedance being 2 ohms, since 8 and 4 ohm cabs are the industry standard. You should measure it with a multimeter if possible.

Too low an impedance results in a higher current draw and more heat. What kind of head are you using?

[butchblack]

Originally Posted by will33

Yes it is, but the cab should be 4ohms, I'd check that. Not many, if any 2ohm cabs.

Make sure you check it. A lot of older Peavey heads went down to 2Ω so a 2Ω 215 cab would be a possibility. Also you might want to correct your title, it had me a bit confused.

[twenty1thirteen]

Thanks, that's what I figured I looked up the Bass 400, and all I could find on it was a picture of the back of the matching head, which had a 2 ohm input with two inputs. I'm just guessing the cab would be 2 ohms as well? I'm still waiting for the seller to get back to me though. Anyone else have any info on these cabs? If this were to be 2 ohms, then it would have two 4 ohm speakers, correct? BTW, I would be running an Ampeg portaflex 350. Thanks!

[dhomer]

The Peavey 400 bass heads can drive 2 ohms, but the cabs that came with'em were 4 ohm. Entirely possible someone retrofit the cab w/a pair of 4 ohm drivers, not a bad idea to pull one out and try to ID it..

[twenty1thirteen]

Originally Posted by butchblack

Make sure you check it. A lot of older Peavey heads went down to 2Ω so a 2Ω 215 cab would be a possibility. Also you might want to correct your title, it had me a bit confused.

I'm sorry, that was a typo, I meant to say CAB and not cable. Not quite sure how to edit a title for this is the first time I've posted here. Thanks.

[steveksux]

Why do you think the cab is 2 ohms? That would be pretty unusual.

Randy

[twenty1thirteen]

Originally Posted by steveksux

Why do you think the cab is 2 ohms? That would be pretty unusual.

Randy

Yeah, I thought so too. Like I said, I don't know much about impedance, and a Google search for the back of the head said 2 ohms. Thanks for the help everyone!

[lbwdog]

Peavey used to have a pretty comprehensive section dealing with discontinued products on their website. You might try searching around there.
Odds are it's a 4 Ohm cab.

[twenty1thirteen]

Ok everyone, I got an email from the seller, and it is indeed a 4 ohm cab. Case closed. Thank you to everyone for your help.

[lokikallas]

Wow, I measured my cable, and it says it's nearly 0 ohms!
lol, just messing with you.

[Rockmusician]

If the cab is 2 ohms and the head is 4 ohms you will over heat the head.