Distorting at high volume

[Leighroy]

hey, ive got a Gk backline 600 played through a behringer 2x10 and a 1x15, and was fine until recently when is started to distort at higher volumes, mainly with the lower frequecies. it looks like the speakers are moving far too much, but the cabs can handle 500W each. is the way im wiring them, or the cables or the bass? any help with be amazing

[refbassist]

if you're not clipping the amp then your sre pushing the cabs more than they could take.

[GrowlerBox]

You need to turn down. Those cabinets may be "rated" at 500 W, but that is the power beyond which the voice coils of the drivers will suffer irreparable heat-related damage. What the speakers will handle before distorting may be less than half of that. You will get more mileage out of them by turning down the bass knob, as well.

[Leighroy]

okay thanks, ill try lowering the volume on the guitar. will having the cabs on top of eachother or having them separate when gigging make any difference?

[skychief]

Originally Posted by Leighroy

okay thanks, ill try lowering the volume on the guitar. will having the cabs on top of eachother or having them separate when gigging make any difference?

Assuming speaker phase (cable/cab polarity) is correct, having the cabs stacked or separate shouldnt make any difference.

[GrowlerBox]

Originally Posted by Leighroy

okay thanks, ill try lowering the volume on the guitar. will having the cabs on top of eachother or having them separate when gigging make any difference?

If by separate, you mean side-by-side or at different locations on the stage, then definitely stack them for better horizontal dispersion and for getting speakers nearer your ears than your knees.

[Bassmec]

Originally Posted by Leighroy

okay thanks, ill try lowering the volume on the guitar. will having the cabs on top of eachother or having them separate when gigging make any difference?

Stack them then they are nearer to your ear level and they will
couple better (help each other more) and disperse mid better
off axis IE if you stand to one side or what your band mates hear.
A good forward midrange tone is very important to get through thick guitar distortion.
So set up your bass EQ within the band and not while rehearsing solo as we bass players always seem to duck the mid range and pile on the low frequency a bit when left to our own devices.

[refbassist]

Originally Posted by skychief

Assuming speaker phase (cable/cab polarity) is correct, having the cabs stacked or separate shouldnt make any difference.

it won't make any difference except as Growlerbox stated above just don't push them too hard, rolll off the bass know, bass boost..

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by Leighroy

any help with be amazing

Turn down.

the cabs can handle 500W each

Only before blowing out, not before farting out.

Assuming speaker phase (cable/cab polarity) is correct, having the cabs stacked or separate shouldnt make any difference.

It can make all the difference in the world. Never separate your cabs, never place them side by side.