Changing impedance with amp on
 

Is it ok to unplug speaker cabs while the amp is on? I have a GK mb500

For your amp, yes. No problem.

Does your cab use a 1/4" jack or a speakon? A jack plug might short momentarily as you're pulling it out.

Yes this is important! 1/4" CAN damage your amp easily!!! I still would not be comfortable with a speakon, but chances are slim with a speakon.

I'd just turn it off, it takes no time at all.

Ya, what's the point of leaving it on? Takes 1 second to turn a switch.

I use the 1/4". I'd like to a/b a 16 ohm 210 and an 8 ohm 410(2-210s)

USE THE POWER SWITCH when disconnecting or connecting cabs! Otherwise A/B'ing new amp heads may result. Just don't touch any other controls and your A/B will be successful. :)

You'd be better off turning it off. The tip can short to the sleeve when the plug comes out and it doesn't take long to toast an amp with a dead short.

If the amp is silent which means no signal then the situation equals off state.

Are you positive with this on a Class D bootstrap output? At least enough to pay for damages?

Same situation - no signal no output. If you can be sure a burst of noise or something is not going to come through just as you're pulling the plug then OK. To be safer, turn down the master. But then why not just switch off?

I killed a Yamaha BBT 500H doing just that. I thought it was in the O-F-F position but it wasn't. A tiny spark at the jack when I pulled out the 1/4" phone plug was all it took.

Pulling out a 1/4" jack can produce a short cut "ZERO Ohms" for a moment.

Indefinite impedance is no problem vor a transistor power amp - but zero ohms will damage it.

A Speakon can't produce a short cut while unplugging. So it's no problem with a speakon, but a 1/4" MIGHT cause problems.

Changing the impedance while the amp is on may not be bad for the amp - but it is surely not good. So, switch it off ...