Ohms, wattage, volume question (GK content)

[bazzanderson]

Guys….I have a question for you (GK specific).

Would there be a difference in volume between 300watts at 4ohms and 340watts at 8ohms? I would think that the 340watts at 8ohms would be a tiny bit louder or a least cleaner.

Here’s the thing. I know the GK 800RB is really loud for 300watts into 4ohms….heard nothing but good about this amp. I have the chance to trade into a GK 1001RB (mark I). I’d be running this at 8ohms most of the time (amp rated for 340watts at 8ohms) into an Avatar DeltaLF 2X12 (8ohms). I would run this amp at 4ohms when needed (540watts) but would stick with 8ohms to cut down on cabinet carting.

I’ve owned GKs before (1001RB-II and the MB2-500) so I know their wattage ratings are pretty conservative…they always seem to be louder than other amps in the same wattage class. I guess I’m just worried GK 340watts into 8ohms might not cut it? I’m not in a super loud band and I’m currently using a 90s V-4B that’s loud enough but definitely not clean enough.

Your thoughts / opinions are GREATLY appreciated!

Barry

[Rafael]

Originally Posted by bazzanderson

Guys….I have a question for you (GK specific).

Would there be a difference in volume between 300watts at 4ohms and 340watts at 8ohms? I would think that the 340watts at 8ohms would be a tiny bit louder or a least cleaner.

Barry

I think you're looking at apples and oranges...you say you are running one particular 8ohm cab, so you need to compare those wattages. The 800RB is rated @ 200W@8ohms, the GK 1001RB is rated 340W@8ohms.

You will hear a difference between those maximums, but it won't be twice as loud. But it will be louder.....

[BobaFret]

With the second scenario ( 340W @ 8 ohm ) you can still add a second cab and then it should bump up into the 500W range. The first scenario is the most output you'll get out of that head.

Having the overhead freedom of extra wattage is good IMO. In closing I would think the output you've described would be similar.

[bazzanderson]

Originally Posted by Rafael

I think you're looking at apples and oranges...you say you are running one particular 8ohm cab, so you need to compare those wattages. The 800RB is rated @ 200W@8ohms, the GK 1001RB is rated 340W@8ohms.

You will hear a difference between those maximums, but it won't be twice as loud. But it will be louder.....

Apples and oranges though is exactly what I'm asking. I used to run a 4ohm single cabinet and know that 400 to 500 GK watts was most definitely loud enough. Now I'm running two 8ohm cabinets but don't want to lug both around if I don't have to so the question is still would there be a difference in volume between 300watts at 4ohms and 340watts at 8ohms?

Thanks!
Barry

[bazzanderson]

Thanks....the 2nd scenario is what I'm looking at and I will have the benefit of adding a 2nd cab for the full wattage (I just don't want to lug it around if I don't have to).
Thx!
Barry

Originally Posted by BobaFret

With the second scenario ( 340W @ 8 ohm ) you can still add a second cab and then it should bump up into the 500W range. The first scenario is the most output you'll get out of that head.

Having the overhead freedom of extra wattage is good IMO. In closing I would think the output you've described would be similar.

[bazzanderson]

I guess the easiest way to put the question is.....is there a difference in volume between the same wattage at different ohm loads? yeah.....that's the question.

Thanks!
Barry

[bongomania]

No. The load does change the wattage, but the result is the rating they have printed. So you can (for this purpose) ignore that the cab is 8 ohms, because 300W will sound exactly the same as 340W. You will not hear any extra clarity or anything else. The same, as far as human ears are concerned.

[Rafael]

Originally Posted by bazzanderson

Apples and oranges though is exactly what I'm asking. I used to run a 4ohm single cabinet and know that 400 to 500 GK watts was most definitely loud enough. Now I'm running two 8ohm cabinets but don't want to lug both around if I don't have to so the question is still would there be a difference in volume between 300watts at 4ohms and 340watts at 8ohms?

Thanks!
Barry

Now we're getting complicated.... ;-)

IMO even given the same wattage, running two 4x10s is going to seem louder than running the same wattage into one 4x10, for example....

There is basically zero audible difference between 300W and 340W.

[bazzanderson]

Thanks....that's what I figured (zero audible difference). So a single cab and head at 4ohms and a single cab and head at 8ohms both running the same wattage would basically sound the same volume wise then right?

Thanks!
Barry

Originally Posted by Rafael

Now we're getting complicated.... ;-)

IMO even given the same wattage, running two 4x10s is going to seem louder than running the same wattage into one 4x10, for example....

There is basically zero audible difference between 300W and 340W.

[Din Of Win]

You'd be fine with either or.

I use a 400rb into an 8ohm (sometimes) and i never need to reeeeeally crank it to be heard.

I'd test out both the 800rb and 1001 to see which tone sounds better to you and buy based off of that.

[4Mal]

GK specific answer. I would do an 800 in decent shape before a 1001 RB I - in a heartbeat - if you were talking an RB II, that might be a differnt story. The RB I's aren't the same thing and the 800 is a fantastic amp.

[bazzanderson]

Thanks, guys!

Can always count on TB for informative answers.

I appreciate it.

Barry