Multiple cabinets -> matching volume?

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

To have the same volume out of each.

You don't really believe that a 115 and an 810 will have the same volume with the same head powering them, do you?

[NYCbassist]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

You don't really believe that a 115 and an 810 will have the same volume with the same head powering them, do you?

I would never even think about running this combo but the best chance you could have would be with Matched impedance. I also don't see how this ridiculous Scenario is in any way helping the OP

[CL400Peavey]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

I would never even think about running this combo but the best chance you could have would be with Matched impedance.

No, it wouldnt. Best option would be a 4 Ohm 810 and a 8 Ohm 115. That way the 810 would be getting twice the power the 115 sees. You would still be limited by the 115, and you would have to have a 2 Ohm stable amp.

[NYCbassist]

Originally Posted by CL400Peavey

No, it wouldnt. Best option would be a 4 Ohm 810 and a 8 Ohm 115. That way the 810 would be getting twice the power the 115 sees. You would still be limited by the 115, and you would have to have a 2 Ohm stable amp.

Sorry but the 1X15 would be just about useless in this Never ever going to be used Scenario. A much more realistic Scenario would be a 4X10 and a 1X15 in which case 8 Ohms each would be good or 4 Ohms each would be Fantastic with an Amp capable down to 2 Ohms. Like I said earlier My Avatars sound Killer with the LH1000 Balance Knob right in the middle. That's because the 4 Ohm Cabs are working perfectly together. If you're mixing Impedances in a real world situation and it sounds good to you than I guess that's what really matters in the end. I still would advise matched Impedances in 99% of Bass rigs.

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

Sorry but the 1X15 would be just about useless in this Never ever going to be used Scenario. A much more realistic Scenario would be a 4X10 and a 1X15 in which case 8 Ohms each would be good or 4 Ohms each would be Fantastic with an Amp capable down to 2 Ohms. Like I said earlier My Avatars sound Killer with the LH1000 Balance Knob right in the middle. That's because the 4 Ohm Cabs are working perfectly together. If you're mixing Impedances in a real world situation and it sounds good to you than I guess that's what really matters in the end. I still would advise matched Impedances in 99% of Bass rigs.

You're not taking into account the number of drivers though.

In the 8 ohm 8X10 and 8 ohm 1X15 scenario, the single 15 is getting as much wattage as the entire 8X10, which is dividing it up equally to 8 different speakers. The 15 would more than likely be fried in no time, especially if you crank the amp. You'd never even hear it complain of distress because the 810 would overpower it.

[NYCbassist]

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

You're not taking into account the number of drivers though.

In the 8 ohm 8X10 and 8 ohm 1X15 scenario, the single 15 is getting as much wattage as the entire 8X10, which is dividing it up equally to 8 different speakers. The 15 would more than likely be fried in no time, especially if you crank the amp. You'd never even hear it complain of distress because the 810 would overpower it.

That's why it's a useless example and is in no way helping the OP. a 1X15 just doesn't really fit with an 8X10 for a bass rig but..............If for some reason you were to do it, A very powerful 15 with the same impedance as the 8X10 would be the way to go. And to take it one step further a Good Stereo amp would be a big plus. Then you could tweak the Balance Knob and dial in a nice blend. Trust me there's 1X15's that will hold their own against most 8X10's. It's still a mismatch and probably way more than you need. unless you're trying to reach the back row at Madison Square Garden. If that's the case then I think you need a wall of 8X10's.

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

a 1X15 just doesn't really fit with an 8X10 for a bass rig

Yep. It was just an extreme example to show that matching impedance isn't always the best way to go about things when mixing cabs with different speaker configs.

but..............If for some reason you were to do it, A very powerful 15 with the same impedance as the 8X10 would be the way to go.

Nope

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

That's why it's a useless example and is in no way helping the OP. a 1X15 just doesn't really fit with an 8X10 for a bass rig but..............If for some reason you were to do it, A very powerful 15 with the same impedance as the 8X10 would be the way to go. And to take it one step further a Good Stereo amp would be a big plus. Then you could tweak the Balance Knob and dial in a nice blend. Trust me there's 1X15's that will hold their own against most 8X10's. It's still a mismatch and probably way more than you need. unless you're trying to reach the back row at Madison Square Garden. If that's the case then I think you need a wall of 8X10's.

There is just so much wrong with what you post that I do not even know where to begin.

[NYCbassist]

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

There is just so much wrong with what you post that I do not even know where to begin.

You should probably begin by experimenting in the real world with some real cabinets.
I have had the good fortune of having access to many many different cabinets. From Marshall 4X12's @ 4 Ohms to 8X10's to Sunn Folded Horns, Cabs with 1X18 & 2X10 in one cab. They Have always sounded best together if the Impedance was matched. You can believe what you want but I've tested & tried just about every possibility. and every time I tried a Higher Impedance Cab with a lower one the Higher one got left in the dust. I guess on paper it may look different But I let my own ears do the talking.

[1958Bassman]

Originally Posted by DieterVDW

I've read the FAQ's and it was very informative.
For me it comes down to: mixing cabs changes stuff, could be good or bad .

However I find it strange you need two amp sections to balance two cabinets? If you put them in parallel and wire a (configurable) resistor with one of the cabs, you could theoretically balance them right?
But that would mean a big ass resistor with heat sink and lots of spent energy maybe? (Limited electrical understanding ... Forgive me if I'm talking out of my ass...)

Technically, that would give you a safer load but resistors waste power, as heat. There is absolutely no benefit to the power having been developed when a resistor is used. The price of a high power capacity resistor is almost as much as a power amp- you can't just use a resistor, you have to dissipate the heat and it either needs a fan, oil bath or a larger heat sink. The resistor still doesn't do anything to balance the output when different cabinets are used- that's why a separate amp channel on each is the best and most adjustable choice, in many cases.


The load from speakers isn't purely resistive- it has capacitive, resistive and inductive components, called 'reactance'. Also, different speakers in parallel will conduct different amounts of current. In series, the current is the same through the speakers, for all practical purposes.

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

Trust me there's 1X15's that will hold their own against most 8X10's.

Please show me the T/S specs of this magical 15 that matches the sensitivity and displacement of an average 8X10

[DJ Bebop]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

To have the same volume out of each. obviously you can't put more power to the 1X15 than it can handle but what's the point of even having it hooked up if you can't hear it. Matching the impedance of Cabs is one of the first things that I was ever told about multiple Cabinets. I have never seen a reason to do otherwise.

I do that sometimes. I also have an Old Carvin cyclops cab, 2x8's with horn for the highs, 1x15 for the lows.

Both high and low sections are 4ohms each. Amp puts out 450watts @4ohms.
I add my Aguilar GS112 8ohm cab to the low side.

The amp runs down to 2ohms a side @750watts so, I am running the low side at 3.whatever ohms, whatever watts between 450 and 750.
Anywho as said above somewhere, I can barely hear the GS112 cause it's 8ohms more resistance, the 4ohm 15 is louder, less resistance.

I stack the cyclops on the GS112 and go I do this so I can get more oomph out of the 15

[musicman666]

Poo poo stinkies? Really.

[NYCbassist]

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

Please show me the T/S specs of this magical 15 that matches the sensitivity and displacement of an average 8X10

Like I said get out in the real world and experiment with some Real Cab's. Would you bother running a 4" woofer along with 1X15?? That's about the same as running a 1X15 against an 8X10. Go ahead and run mismatched cabinets all you want nobody's stopping you. I'll keep on matching my Impedance. It's worked for me since the '70's.
If you want advice for a really good 1X15 Here you go. I couldn't care less what the T/s says, It's a killer Cabinet and probably my next gear purchase.
http://www.avatarspeakers.com/TB153.htm

[NYCbassist]

Originally Posted by DJ Bebop

I do that sometimes. I also have an Old Carvin cyclops cab, 2x8's with horn for the highs, 1x15 for the lows.

Both high and low sections are 4ohms each. Amp puts out 450watts @4ohms.
I add my Aguilar GS112 8ohm cab to the low side.

The amp runs down to 2ohms a side @750watts so, I am running the low side at 3.whatever ohms, whatever watts between 450 and 750.
Anywho as said above somewhere, I can barely hear the GS112 cause it's 8ohms more resistance, the 4ohm 15 is louder, less resistance.

I stack the cyclops on the GS112 and go I do this so I can get more oomph out of the 15

This actually makes sense. It's also a real world Scenario. I have messed around with this type of Scenario for my Stage sound but out on the Dance floor for the most part you are going to Feel and hear the Cab with the lower Impedance. It's Ohms Law and Purely a matter of Mathematics.

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

Like I said get out in the real world and experiment with some Real Cab's.

I guess I should get out my parents house then

Wait, I did that 30 years ago - along with also playing for over 30 years.

If you want to try to talk down to me, then do it with science and facts.

[NYCbassist]

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

I guess I should get out my parents house then

Wait, I did that 30 years ago - along with also playing for over 30 years.

If you want to try to talk down to me, then do it with science and facts.

I'm not trying to talk down to you. And I'm sorry you feel that way. I guess I thought you had thicker skin. I really just don't want to argue with Ohms Law. It took me way too long to fully understand it.

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

I'm not trying to talk down to you. And I'm sorry you feel that way. I guess I thought you had thicker skin. I really just don't want to argue with Ohms Law. It took me way too long to fully understand it.

That is the problem.

You are taking only partial knowledge and trying to use it "across the board"

Your wisdom states that if I connect a 2X10 cab and a 4X10 cab, that I should make sure the impedance matches. That would be a 50/50 power split between the two cabs.

My knowledge tells me that in the same scenario I would want to mix a 8 ohm 2X10 with a 4 ohm 4X10. That would provide 33/66 split between the two cabs.

Since you are running a total of 6 tens (one cab has 2/3 of the total speakers and the other has 1/3 of the speakers) which do you think is the better match:

1/2 the power to 1/3 the speakers + 1/2 the power to 2/3 of the speakers ?

OR

1/3 of the power to 1/3 of the speakers + 2/3 the power to 2/3 the speakers ?

[DJ Bebop]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

This actually makes sense. It's also a real world Scenario. I have messed around with this type of Scenario for my Stage sound but out on the Dance floor for the most part you are going to Feel and hear the Cab with the lower Impedance. It's Ohms Law and Purely a matter of Mathematics.

Yeah Buddy it kicks

[DJ Bebop]

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

That is the problem.

You are taking only partial knowledge and trying to use it "across the board"

Your wisdom states that if I connect a 2X10 cab and a 4X10 cab, that I should make sure the impedance matches. That would be a 50/50 power split between the two cabs.

My knowledge tells me that in the same scenario I would want to mix a 8 ohm 2X10 with a 4 ohm 4X10. That would provide 33/66 split between the two cabs.

Since you are running a total of 6 tens (one cab has 2/3 of the total speakers and the other has 1/3 of the speakers) which do you think is the better match:

1/2 the power to 1/3 the speakers + 1/2 the power to 2/3 of the speakers ?

OR

1/3 of the power to 1/3 of the speakers + 2/3 the power to 2/3 the speakers ?

That's it!