Head+Cab wattage Question

[Jwaites105]

Hey all, was just wondering if I paired a
Orange Terror Bass 500 http://www.soundunlimited.co.uk/prod...00_TB500H.html
With an Ampeg svt210
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/produc..._campaign=base

Would the head be too high wattage for the cabinet to handle ?

If so would I have to go for a cabinet with similar or the same wattage as the head ?

Thanks.

[knucklehead G]

That Orange head has switchable impedance, meaning even at 8ohms it's still running 500W. You're trying to put 500W into a 200W cab. It'll be an issue. You might look into a higher power cab, or that Ampeg Micro VT thing that's made for those cabs.

Generally you want the cab to handle as much or more power than the head puts out.

[Jwaites105]

Thanks a lot !

[JimmyM]

yeah, i'd have to agree. you can make it work if you're careful with the volume and bass boosts, but it's a recipe for blowing a cab if you're not careful.

[Jwaites105]

Now I need to find a nice 400-500 watt cab within my budget

[JimmyM]

used market is overflowing with them. good ones, too.

[Jwaites105]

Yeah I would probably find one for sale on here but I live in the UK so i'm kinda limited.
The two iv'e found are
Hartke Hydrive HX115

http://www.imuso.co.uk/Amplifiers/Am...=googleproduct

Ashdown ABM-115

http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~...15~ID~1453.asp

Is that the kind of power i'm gonna need in order to avoid explosions ?

[JimmyM]

again, not if you're careful with the volume. but i say better safe than sorry so yeah, that's about right. have not tried the ashdown but the hartke rocks.

[Jwaites105]

Sweet i'm unfamiliar with Hartke but iv'e heard nothing but good about them, the lightweight appeal of the Hartke would also be really helpful, thanks a lot.

[Sartori]

Does the UK not have craigslist?

[Jwaites105]

Nope no Craigslist here, some good online stores though.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by Jwaites105

Hey all, was just wondering if I paired a
Orange Terror Bass 500
With an Ampeg svt210

Would the head be too high wattage for the cabinet to handle

That's why they invented the volume control. If the cab makes distressful noises turn it down.

If so would I have to go for a cabinet with similar or the same wattage as the head ?

Not at all. This is explained ad nauseum in the FAQs.

The two iv'e found are
Hartke Hydrive HX115
Ashdown ABM-115
Is that the kind of power i'm gonna need in order to avoid explosions ?

Cab power ratings are rather moot, if not downright spurious. A simple rule: If one cab isn't loud enough, use two.

[And I]

so let's say I have two 8-ohm cabs rated at 300-watts each, and my amp puts out 500 watts @ 4 ohms. am i at risk of overpowering/damaging the cabs if i run both? or would the amp be putting 250 watts to each cab?

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by And I

so let's say I have two 8-ohm cabs rated at 300-watts each, and my amp puts out 500 watts @ 4 ohms. am i at risk of overpowering/damaging the cabs if i run both? or would the amp be putting 250 watts to each cab?

Read the FAQ, read the FAQ, read the FAQ....
The amp would only put 250 watts into each cab if run at full volume. Chances are the speakers will be farting out like the campfire scene from 'Blazing Saddles' at no more than half power. That's generally sufficient warning to turn the amp down.

[And I]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

Read the FAQ, read the FAQ, read the FAQ....

sorry dude, i thought asking a simple question about head+cab wattage in a thread called "head+cab wattage" would be acceptable.

[And I]

But I read the FAQ and now I am a little bit smarter. So thanks for pointing me in the right direction.