help choose a cab for my bx500

nboyer941 · #1 02-22-2011, 10:32 AM

Hi, I've been actively gigging with my carvin bx500 and a GK 212 neo cab.

I am tired of the gk cab because It is an 8 ohm cab and I want to run at 4 ohms.

I'm looking for a new cabinet that meets these requirements:
-4 ohms
-can handle 500 watts no problem
-It needs to be light weight (as light as my gk cab), because I have to load my own crap.
-I would like neo speakers to help keep weight down.

Thanks!

prokfrog · #2 02-22-2011, 10:39 AM

Whats your budget? You may want to go with two 112's.....

nboyer941 · #3 02-22-2011, 10:44 AM

budget....I like to buy used. so $400 used. = $800 new?

prokfrog · #4 02-22-2011, 10:52 AM

The GK 212MBE is 600w @ 4ohms. 34 pounds for $399 at Musicians friend

craig.p · #5 02-22-2011, 10:57 AM

Why do you want to run at four ohms?

nboyer941 · #6 02-22-2011, 11:01 AM

It is my understanding that I will be using less wattage out of my amp at 8 ohms vs 4 ohms. I just want to use my amp at its fullest potential.

jeff7bass · #7 02-22-2011, 12:33 PM

You can either add another 8 ohm 212 or get an Avatar TB153, 15” 3-way cab (4 ohm version).
This will sound VERY good and you’ll be using the full 500w the head offers.
Keep the GK as a backup/rehearsal cab.

39-Bassist · #8 02-22-2011, 12:38 PM

why don't you just get the 2-10 Neo Carvin cab?...it sounds great and easy to move...

Bass_Pounder · #9 02-22-2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nboyer941

It is my understanding that I will be using less wattage out of my amp at 8 ohms vs 4 ohms. I just want to use my amp at its fullest potential.

At 8 ohms, you are getting 300 watts from your amp.

The difference in going from 300 to 500 watts with the same cabinet is less than +3db which means you will not really even hear a difference.

The way to get louder is ALWAYS more speaker area, not more watts.

Solution - add another cab to what you have if you are not loud enough.

If you are already loud enough, but just wanted to "get all you can from your amp" because you think it will be better - then save your money.

UncleFluffy · #10 02-22-2011, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 39-Bassist

why don't you just get the 2-10 Neo Carvin cab?...it sounds great and easy to move...

+1, There's a bunch of TBers got these - do a search for the BRX10.2 (and BRX10.4) for opinions.

impactwrench · #11 02-22-2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nboyer941

It is my understanding that I will be using less wattage out of my amp at 8 ohms vs 4 ohms. I just want to use my amp at its fullest potential.

Is it not loud enough? If not, just add another GK neo 2x12. I too don't think it will make a huge difference to play 500 watts through 2x12 vs 300 watts.

BigOldHarry · #12 02-22-2011, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nboyer941

Hi, I've been actively gigging with my carvin bx500 and a GK 212 neo cab.

I am tired of the gk cab because It is an 8 ohm cab and I want to run at 4 ohms.

I'm looking for a new cabinet that meets these requirements:
-4 ohms
-can handle 500 watts no problem
-It needs to be light weight (as light as my gk cab), because I have to load my own crap.
-I would like neo speakers to help keep weight down.

Thanks!

I have to ask: *Why* are you "tired of 4ohms"???

If the cab doesn't sound good or isn't low enough, this really will have little to do with impedance. If you actually like how it sounds but just have this idea that changing the impedance will make you "louder" - I think you misunderstand how this stuff works. I suggest you look at adding a 2nd 8ohm cab to your current rig - another GK 2x12 if you dig the one you have; If not, then what sound are you looking for that the current rig does not give you?

RickenBoogie · #13 02-22-2011, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

At 8 ohms, you are getting 300 watts from your amp.

The difference in going from 300 to 500 watts with the same cabinet is less than +3db which means you will not really even hear a difference.

The way to get louder is ALWAYS more speaker area, not more watts.

Solution - add another cab to what you have if you are not loud enough.

If you are already loud enough, but just wanted to "get all you can from your amp" because you think it will be better - then save your money.

HUGE +1 to this post, as well as BigOldHarry's post above me. This is the truth- if you need more volume. add another 8 ohm 212. If your volume is good now, running the amp @ 4 ohms will NOT make it better.

irishpride28 · #14 02-22-2011, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

HUGE +1 to this post, as well as BigOldHarry's post above me. This is the truth- if you need more volume. add another 8 ohm 212. If your volume is good now, running the amp @ 4 ohms will NOT make it better.

or for even more volume... an 8ohm 4x10!