Mis-labeling on ampeg cab?

SkinnyP411 · #1 11-29-2011, 10:21 PM

Hey guys, I'm looking into an Ampeg PF 115HE and all the websites description say its 450W RMS but the manual and the back of the cab say its 400W RMS. Maybe this is obvious and its going I've my head but why the differences?

JimmyM · #2 11-29-2011, 10:32 PM

My guess is for the same reason you still see ported cabs in some of the ads at these music stores. They did two versions of these cabs as prototypes...ported and sealed...and the info for the ported cabs got to the music stores but they ended up going with sealed.

**B-string** · #3 11-29-2011, 10:54 PM

If you are worried about the difference between 450 and 400 watts input power, you are splitting hairs you should not be?

SkinnyP411 · #4 11-29-2011, 10:57 PM

Ok thanks! Next question, if I got 2 of the 115s and used my pf500 head, the cabs would be ok if they're rated 100w lower than the head? My goal is to have the 2 15s

SkinnyP411 · #5 11-29-2011, 11:05 PM

Haha, true. I guess I just don't want to hurt the cab, I don't too much about peak power handling:/ but if I shouldnt worry about 100W then that's cool, I just didn't know.

JimmyM · #6 11-29-2011, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkinnyP411

Ok thanks! Next question, if I got 2 of the 115s and used my pf500 head, the cabs would be ok if they're rated 100w lower than the head? My goal is to have the 2 15s

The PF500 does 300w into one cab or 500w into two with each cab getting 250w to work with. So you would be fine with two PF115he's and a PF500.

SkinnyP411 · #7 11-29-2011, 11:22 PM

That's great, thanks Jimmy!

ishouldbeking · #8 11-29-2011, 11:52 PM

Just an FYI -- as others will probably cry out any second -- wattage ratings can be helpful as a general guide, but they're really not that useful for a few reasons. The way amp manufacturers rate their amps doesn't necessarily give you an idea of what the amp can put out at peak usage, and the way cab makers rate their cabs typically only lists the wattage rating of when the voice coil will melt, not necessarily how much wattage would blow the speaker itself.

Therefore, the important thing to get out of this is that you CAN use an amp with a higher power rating than the speaker is rated for, so long as you use it gently (don't push the volume too high, don't crank the bass knob, and don't go crazy slapping when you're doing either of those first two things). Also, there is no problem using speakers with a higher power rating than an amp, but just because you are, it doesn't mean you can't blow those speakers if you try to push your amp to its limit. The key is to be sensible.

EDIT: one last thing, not all companies are as honest about their specs as others. Luckily Ampeg are pretty darn good about that sort of thing.

billfitzmaurice · #9 11-30-2011, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkinnyP411

Haha, true. I guess I just don't want to hurt the cab, I don't too much about peak power handling:/ but if I shouldnt worry about 100W then that's cool, I just didn't know.

It's going to fart out with no more than 200w anyway. Thermal power ratings make for good ad copy eye candy, but that's all they're good for.

SkinnyP411 · #10 11-30-2011, 07:57 PM

So they can't handle 250 or 300W?

billfitzmaurice · #11 11-30-2011, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkinnyP411

So they can't handle 250 or 300W?

Handle as in not burning out, yes. Handle as in not farting out, no. Very few cabs can take more than half their rated power before farting out. If it does just turn down, no harm done.

**B-string** · #12 11-30-2011, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkinnyP411

So they can't handle 250 or 300W?

I doubt you will have any trouble, unless you get real stupid with the controls or effects.

SkinnyP411 · #13 12-01-2011, 10:11 PM

Volume, tuner, and a sansamp, what else could I ask for?? Haha!

sad_katz · #14 12-02-2011, 01:53 AM

You're not gonna pull the full 500W from the PF-500 most of the time anyways so don't worry so much, and back off the volume knob when the sound becomes farts instead of bass

SkinnyP411 · #15 12-02-2011, 04:47 PM

As in I won't NEED to push the full 500W? I can't really think of a time where I would. What do you guys think about the two 15s for a jazz bass? If it was a p bass I'd keep the 410, but I love that jazz growl

I'm hoping it'll sound better when I get a 5 string too.

christw · #16 12-02-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkinnyP411

As in I won't NEED to push the full 500W? I can't really think of a time where I would. What do you guys think about the two 15s for a jazz bass? If it was a p bass I'd keep the 410, but I love that jazz growl

I'm hoping it'll sound better when I get a 5 string too.

I think you'll be satisfied with the PF500 and two PF115's. Or a 410. Or 610's. Or 412's or whatever.

Just saying, it's a pretty stellar amp for it's price bracket. The cabs are sweet too. My Sound City with my P/J and new Roto 66 screams Marcus Miller through the PF115's. I love, love, love it!