Has anyone run their 4 ohm cab down to 16?

filipinoredneck · #1 01-27-2011, 08:37 PM

Hi,

I'm new to the forum. Nice to meet you all. I was wondering if anyone has run their cab down 16 ohms. I have a peavey txf210 in 4 ohms and a peavey txf410 also in 4 ohms. I was looking at getting the Mesa m9 carbine but don't want to fry the cabs. I know the m6 is a better wattage amp to get, but my dad is helpIng me out here with the cost of it. I explained it all to him that my 11 yearold son doesnt need this monster, but is insisting on it because the m6 is out of stock, and it is for his grandson. I know, I know. Lucky grandson.

Anyways. I don't have the original Sheffield speakers in there anymore as I loaded it with traynor speakers from the TC line. I bought the cabs for next to nothing just for the cabs itself.

Has anyone done this and what results might I expect? Will it hurt the m9 in anyway, or is it safe to do so? I'm hoping to reduce the output power to more manageable levels.

I have 3 of my 4 kids in their own band.

My daughter is 16 and is running through a Marshall TSL100 full stack and my 13 yearold son is playing the DW X7 PDP.

No, I'm not a rich dad. I was flipping gear on CL and Kijiji to get their gear as well as a lot of OT at work to get all of this stuff. They gigged quite a bit this summer and I'm recording their demo in my makeshift home studio right now.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thx,

Paul

ia02 · #2 01-27-2011, 08:43 PM

Two 4 Ohm cabs in parallel will give you 2 Ohms total load. The M9 is spec'd for 2 ohms so you shouldn't need to worry about killing the amp with low impedance.

I'm not sure if the cabs can handle 900 watts but you can always just not turn the amp up higher than the cabs can handle.

tbird36go · #3 01-27-2011, 09:23 PM

They can handle the power no problem & ia02 is right, 2ohms. two 16ohm cabs bridged is 8ohms, two 8ohm cabs bridged is 4ohms & two 4ohm cabs bridged is 2ohms. So hook your amp to one of the speaker cabs then run another line from that speaker cab to the second speaker cab & your Bridged!

GrowlerBox · #4 01-27-2011, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbird36go

They can handle the power no problem & ia02 is right, 2ohms. two 16ohm cabs bridged is 8ohms, two 8ohm cabs bridged is 4ohms & two 4ohm cabs bridged is 2ohms. So hook your amp to one of the speaker cabs then run another line from that speaker cab to the second speaker cab & your Bridged!

My understanding is that "bridged" connections are, strictly speaking, in series -- you have described a parallel connection (someone will no doubt correct me if I'm mistaken). The speakers could be wired in series to give a total 8 Ohms impedance, but there wouldn't appear to be any need in this case. If your 11 year old can keep it below 11, he should be fine!

Jim Campbell · #5 01-27-2011, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrowlerBox

My understanding is that "bridged" connections are, strictly speaking, in series -- you have described a parallel connection (someone will no doubt correct me if I'm mistaken). The speakers could be wired in series to give a total 8 Ohms impedance, but there wouldn't appear to be any need in this case. If your 11 year old can keep it below 11, he should be fine!

unless the kid's playing 150 seaters,the 4x10 should be lots on it's own

ia02 · #6 01-27-2011, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

unless the kid's playing 150 seaters,the 4x10 should be lots on it's own

You are correct, tbird36go is describing a parallel connection.

And I agree, run the 4x10, put the 2x10 in the closet. 4x10 should be more than enough to make the kid deaf by age 13.

Rock on!

TripleDouble · #7 01-27-2011, 09:44 PM

i suffered hearing damage at a concert standing next to a 4X12 when I was 13 years old, and 22 years later it still sucks. Make sure your kids don't injure themselves.

BassmanPaul · #8 01-28-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbird36go

They can handle the power no problem & ia02 is right, 2ohms. two 16ohm cabs bridged is 8ohms, two 8ohm cabs bridged is 4ohms & two 4ohm cabs bridged is 2ohms. So hook your amp to one of the speaker cabs then run another line from that speaker cab to the second speaker cab & your Bridged!

Your terminology is very confusing. If by bridged you mean daisy chained, the cabs are in parallel and two 16Ω cabinets will equate to 8Ω. The word bridged normally is used to denote connecting two channels of a power amp so that their outputs add.

BassmanPaul · #9 01-28-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripleDouble

i suffered hearing damage at a concert standing next to a 4X12 when I was 13 years old, and 22 years later it still sucks. Make sure your kids don't injure themselves.

Been there, done that and you're right it does suck!

BurningSkies · #10 01-28-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Your terminology is very confusing. If by bridged you mean daisy chained, the cabs are in parallel and two 16Ω cabinets will equate to 8Ω. The word bridged normally is used to denote connecting two channels of a power amp so that their outputs add.

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

BassmanPaul · #11 01-28-2011, 11:49 AM

Great post Brother AND a very enjoyable movie!

BurningSkies · #12 01-28-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Great post Brother AND a very enjoyable movie!

Thanks, there's a quote from the film that fits just about every situation...

GregDunn · #13 01-28-2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

filipinoredneck · #14 01-28-2011, 05:10 PM

Hi,

Thanks for the input. After doing more digging around for info, I'm going for broke and getting the Mesa M9. I went to the store and checked out the amp visually for my question on the ohm rating. If I wire both cabs to 16 ohm internally and run them on the 2 parallel outputs of the M9, I will reduce the power rating down to 450 watts at an 8 ohm load. This should protect my speakers enough and the master volume know shouldn't be to touchy. After paying this off completely, I will sell these 2 cabs and dive into a 410 Mesa powerhouse cab.

I can see me doing a lot of overtime at work to pay these 2 items off, but at least I will be happy with his gear for many years to come.

Bass_Pounder · #15 01-28-2011, 05:13 PM

Would you like to adopt a 46 year old son ?

RickenBoogie · #16 01-28-2011, 05:34 PM

Running the cabs at 16 ohms each will not protect them any at all. Just use the cabs as designed, 4 ohms each, and watch the volume and low eq. All will be well. Ane, +1 to using the 410 by itself. It makes NO sense to run a 210 and 410 together at the same impedance.

bikeplate · #17 01-28-2011, 05:44 PM

HI

An M9? I have one. Its stupid loud and I mean stupid. All he needs is one 4ohm 4x10. Have fun

Rob

Vanceman · #18 01-28-2011, 05:57 PM

I think the idea to reduce the power output of the amp is a good idea, since the kids will be the main users. However, I'll bet it's still stupid loud.... in the best way possible.

Why such an expensive boutique amp? Couldn't you pocket some of Grandpa's money,and get him a GK or Peavey?

My Grandpa never bought me anything that nice.

But he did let me drink beer and drive his car before I was old enough.

Not at the same time!

arginator · #19 01-28-2011, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanceman

Why such an expensive boutique amp? Couldn't you pocket some of Grandpa's money,and get him a GK or Peavey?

My Grandpa never bought me anything that nice.

But he did let me drink beer and drive his car before I was old enough.

Not at the same time!

+1

I think most of us here started out on humble gear. Nothing wrong with that, it builds character. And there is a lot of great gear out there that won't make you work overtime.

Wes Whitmore · #20 01-28-2011, 10:42 PM

You could wire up a switch that would allow you choose from 4 ohm to 16 ohms, so all you have to do is flip it one way or another when it's time to use it. I have one in the garage somewhere, sitting...
Wes