Checking properties of unmarked cabinet

[Dega60]

Is there any way to verify the wattage or ohm rating of an unmarked cabinet?

I have a nice volt/ohm meter but what readings am I looking for?

[georgestrings]

Generally speaking, a cab's resistance will be slightly less than it's impedence, when measured with a multimeter... For example, a 4 ohm cab will usually measure around 3-4 ohms resistance, and 8 ohm cab will measure around 5-7 ohms resistance...

Regarding wattage - the only way to know that is to find out the collective wattage of the drivers in it...


- georgestrings

[Downunderwonder]

You can take it's DCR ohm reading, will show you it's impedance rough enough.

For possible power handling all you can do it take the driver out and read its pedigree. It'll unlikely take its full RMS thermal rating but you'll get a rough idea what to attempt to mate it with.

[Dega60]

Thanks to both of you for the info!

[billfitzmaurice]

Open the cab and see what's inside. Many drivers can be identified by their looks, if not by labels that may be on them.

[GrowlerBox]

As the other guys said, the measured DC resistance is about 70% of the total "average" impedance of the cabinet.

There is almost no useful information to be had from determining the thermal ratings of the drivers -- you're only likely to be falsely reassured regarding what the speakers can handle and ignore what you're hearing when they start to complain, which is a far better indicator. Just start with low volume and lowish bass settings, and gradually dial them in until the speakers start to fart out or you get as loud as you need to go, whichever comes first. Far more accurate.