difference between "continuous" and "program?" - piecing together rig from cl

hrodbert696 · #1 12-12-2010, 11:02 AM

OK, so there are a couple of items on our local CL here and I've been thinking about trying to find a used rig to replace my combo amp with. One is a Hartke HA 3500 head, 350 watts at 4 ohms, 240 at 8 ohms. The other is a Peavey 410 cab, the seller lists as 700 watts -- I think it must be a TVX 410 EX 4X10 unless anyone has an idea for some other model it might be.

Now the cab's description on MF says it handles "350 watts continuous - 700 watts program." It also says it can run at 4 ohms or 8 ohms. So how would it work to pair these two? What do "continuous" and "program" mean in this context? Does this mean I could set them up together to run with 350 watts at 4 ohms? Any general advice on the two items?

Thanks guys! I've been living on a combo and the art of matching heads and cabs is still a mystery to me.

Beej · #2 12-12-2010, 11:11 AM

Its probably a 410tx. They come in either 4 or 8ohm - not both. The continuous rating is more relevant for your needs...

T-Bird · #3 12-12-2010, 11:22 AM

Hi.

Continuous = the thermal limit of the voice coil = pretty useless figure by itself.

Program = marketing BS

Music = more marketing BS

Peak = yet even more marketing BS

Just my 0.02€
Sam

billfitzmaurice · #4 12-12-2010, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

Continuous = the thermal limit of the voice coil = pretty useless figure by itself.

+1. The only spec that tells you how much power a cab can actually make use of is displacement limited power, and no one makes that information available. In most cases a cab with anywhere from 1/2 to twice the amp power rating is going to be OK.