EBS HD350 with 8 ohms cab?

[Wehner]

I currently own a new Hartke 410XL 8ohms cabinet. I've always liked the sounds of those aluminum cones.

Anyway, I want a new amp for it, and I would very much like it to be the EBS HD350. Problem is it run 350 watts into 4ohms. This would mean that it only runs 175 watts into my Hartke 8 ohms, right?

The amp I am replacing is the nice-but-not-so-powerful GK MB150. But with 150 watts into 8 ohms, it would be almost as powerful as the EBS. In theory...

Watts, however, are not a precise way of measuring an amps power, so I wanted to hear of any experience any of you might have running an HD350 into a 4x10 8ohms cabinet.

[KJung]

The MB150 is around 80 watts into 8ohms I believe... maybe 100. Nice head (I assume you have the little stand-alone head and not the combo).

I had an HD350, and it just did not do the job at 8ohms... just below the threshold for what I needed (actually even into my 4ohm relatively high SPL). Nice sounding head... sizzly, bright, and a bit mid scooped in general. Given the wattage, the price (at least in the US... not sure where you are), the weight, the size, IMO there are many better options out there now (by better, I mean much smaller, higher wattage, lower price).

If you like that bright sort of tone, one of the Genz Benz Shuttle amps is cool, the Markbass F1 or F500 is also very present up top. If you want that more 'deep low, polite mid, super trebly thing (almost the opposite of your MB150), you might try the GK MB500... that head has even more top end than the HD350.

IMO and IME!

Edit: I see you are in Denmark, so the price comment above probably doesn't apply. Do you know TBer '4 String' (I think that is his TB name)... killer player from Denmark. We've been emailing.

[KJung]

PS Just to be clear, if the volume of your MB150 into your 8ohm 410 is fine, then the HD350 will be OK.

[Wehner]

It is almost loud enough, but not quite. Not headroom at all - I'm pushing it too its limit and the bass needs to be at 3 o'clock. I need a bit more power as it slightly distorts.

Thanks for input!

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Wehner

It is almost loud enough, but not quite. Not headroom at all - I'm pushing it too its limit and the bass needs to be at 3 o'clock. I need a bit more power as it slightly distorts.

Thanks for input!

It is hard to determine another's volume needs. I found the 350 into 4ohms not to be quite enough (it compressed on hard slap hits at even moderate volumes for me). However, if your little 150 is 'almost enough', you should be fine.

Can you get Genz Benz over there for a decent price? The Shuttle 9 has quite a bit of ooomph (I find its wattage kind of overstated... but it sounds like a very good 600 watt amp), and it has that kind of 'bright, modern' sort of tone that the HD350 has. It is small and lightweight, and puts out more power at 8ohms than most of the micros. The Markbass SD1200 is getting good reviews also, and would drive an 8ohm 410 nicely.