Feel dumb asking

Mybikeisblack · #1 04-23-2011, 08:37 PM

But my OCD is getting the best of me. Im kind of a noob when it comes down to this. I just bought a GK400RB III with an ampeg SVT610HLF. After looking at the manual for the head online, it says it delivers 240 watts through both outputs, is this true?
And the cab is a 4ohm cab, same impedance handling as the head.
So is the head sending 240 watts through both outputs into the cab creating 480 watts? Or is it sending 120 watts through both outputs which would create the 4ohm load at 240 watts?
Is using only one output from the head to the cab giving it an 8ohm load? Sorry if this is confusing but when I sit and think, OCD just starts eating at me till I have the answers. Im also using the 1/4th jacks and not the speakon jacks if that helps. Currently I play it with both outputs of the head going into the inputs of the cab.

Sartori · #2 04-23-2011, 08:42 PM

Unless the 610HLF is a stereo cab, I'm pretty sure you should only be connecting it to the head with a single speaker cable.

Muzoid · #3 04-23-2011, 08:44 PM

Ya....I think you have it hooked up wrong....

No need for both outputs on head and both inputs on cab....both are mono.

Not sure what will result from this though....but would like to know.

S.B. · #4 04-23-2011, 08:45 PM

It is my understanding that the GK400 is 240 when paired with 4ohm cab. You would get 240 with single connection.

Mybikeisblack · #5 04-23-2011, 08:45 PM

I honestly have no idea. I even looked up and downloaded the manual for the cab as well.

Mybikeisblack · #6 04-23-2011, 08:46 PM

Ok, so pretty much if I had 2 8ohm cabs is the only time I would need to use both outputs on the head?

Muzoid · #7 04-23-2011, 08:47 PM

Did you try it with double hookup, and with single?

Any difference?

One of our amp gurus should be able to chime in as whether this is detrimental to the head or cab (I'm not really sure, I've never attempted that before), but I would guess, not the best idea.

Sartori · #8 04-23-2011, 08:48 PM

The 240 is total for the output section. At least, if it is the same as most outputs, it is. This means that if only one cab is plugged in, 240 watts to that one cab. If two 8 ohm cabs are plugged in, each gets 120 watts.

Really, use only one cable. If that cab is anything like the ampeg cab I have, the additional jack is for daisy-chaining more cabs.

Mybikeisblack · #9 04-23-2011, 08:48 PM

Well, for the last few band practices, I've used both outputs, my drummer said he notices a difference, I don't notice it with 1 or both hooked up.

Sartori · #10 04-23-2011, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mybikeisblack

Ok, so pretty much if I had 2 8ohm cabs is the only time I would need to use both outputs on the head?

If it's anything like most heads, yeah.

Unless it also can do a 2 ohm load.

Mybikeisblack · #11 04-23-2011, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sartori

The 240 is total for the output section. At least, if it is the same as most outputs, it is. This means that if only one cab is plugged in, 240 watts to that one cab. If two 8 ohm cabs are plugged in, each gets 120 watts.

Really, use only one cable. If that cab is anything like the ampeg cab I have, the additional jack is for daisy-chaining more cabs.

Yes, the manual for the cab does it is for daisy chaining, but either jack will work as inputs. I think I'll just use the one input for now. The cab itself came with one speakon cable, So I assume the guy before me knew what he was doing.

I guess now for just my information, I wonder what happens if you were to leave it how I have it now.

Rockman · #12 04-23-2011, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mybikeisblack

Well, for the last few band practices, I've used both outputs, my drummer said he notices a difference, I don't notice it with 1 or both hooked up.

If you are plugging both outputs into one cab thats usually a bad thing and will most likely cause issues like frying your amp. If you are using both outputs into two separate cabs, you are fine.

Sartori · #13 04-23-2011, 08:55 PM

Yes, but with daisy chaining, the way it works is that the jack not connected to the head then becomes an output.

If is still functioning as an output when both are connected to the head, this could be very bad. Either that or it could only recognize one and so it's just pointlessly redundant.

Sartori · #14 04-23-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockman

If you are plugging both outputs into one cab thats usually a bad thing and will most likely cause issues like frying your amp. If you are using both outputs into two separate cabs, you are fine.

Beat me to it.

Mybikeisblack · #15 04-23-2011, 08:57 PM

Alright, thanks. This has really cleared things up.

bucephylus · #16 04-23-2011, 08:58 PM

Both outputs from the amp come from the same amp. Both inputs go to the same speaker. Hooking up two cables is simply like hooking up a bigger cable. Bottom line is you should not hear any difference between one cable and two; unless there is something funny about that cab's input.

Basically, one proper cable will do the job for you. The main point about the amp output is that it will output more power into a lower impedance. That is how amplifiers work. Speaker impedance is typically 4 ohms or 8 ohms. 4 ohms is lower and will allow the amplifier to put out a little more power. So, your 4 ohm cab is getting about the limit that the amp is capable of putting out. If the cab were 8 ohms, you could notice a small reduction in the amp output.

GL

Mybikeisblack · #17 04-23-2011, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucephylus

Both outputs from the amp come from the same amp. Both inputs go to the same speaker. Hooking up two cables is simply like hooking up a bigger cable. Bottom line is you should not hear any difference between one cable and two; unless there is something funny about that cab's input.

Basically, one proper cable will do the job for you. The main point about the amp output is that it will output more power into a lower impedance. That is how amplifiers work. Speaker impedance is typically 4 ohms or 8 ohms. 4 ohms is lower and will allow the amplifier to put out a little more power. So, your 4 ohm cab is getting about the limit that the amp is capable of putting out. If the cab were 8 ohms, you could notice a small reduction in the amp output.

GL

Thank you. Ill just switch to my single 12gauge speaker cable I had bought for my old set up