One 4ohm cab or two 8ohm cabs?

kolohe11 · #1 08-23-2011, 09:35 PM

Hi, just wondering if a single 4ohm 4x10 cab would sound better/louder than an 8ohm 4x10 cab if they're both being pushed to the limit. Or does it matter? I have an Ampeg SVT 7 Pro head that puts out 1000 watts @4ohms, and 600 watts @8ohms. It has enough headroom to push my 8ohm 4x10 cab to the limit, but I never tried using a 4ohm 4x10 cab. If my amp can already exceed the wattage limits of both cabs, would it make a difference? I currently run two 8ohm 4x10 cabs together during larger gigs, but I'd like to only bring one to small venues. Is it worth dropping the cash for another cab, or am I better off just running both of my cabs together to make the 4ohm load?
Thanks

WhoDidTheElf · #2 08-23-2011, 09:41 PM

Two 8ohm 4x10's will be significantly louder than a single 4ohm 4x10. Going from 600 to 1000 watts would be a bump in volume, but not a huge one or even one that could be usable. On top of that, I doubt a 4x10 can take 1000 watts. That's a load of power there.

Stick with your current setup. It's perfect really.

canamrotax · #3 08-23-2011, 09:46 PM

I agree, stay with two 8ohm bins, making the 4 ohm load in parallel. If anything, try one 15 inch in conjunction with one 4X10 for deeper response.

**B-string** · #4 08-23-2011, 09:49 PM

Smaller gigs you are not going to need to be excessively loud. Just bring one 8 ohm 410.

Bassamatic · #5 08-23-2011, 10:03 PM

2 similar cabs will make you 3 dB louder which is twice as loud - the smallest difference you can perceive.
Going from 600-1000 Watts will not make an audible difference - it takes 10x the power to sound twice as loud.

If you need to be louder, it is always better to add cone area.

Selta · #6 08-23-2011, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canamrotax

I agree, stay with two 8ohm bins, making the 4 ohm load in parallel. If anything, try one 15 inch in conjunction with one 4X10 for deeper response.

Please don't do the bolded. It's a very common myth and unless you want to risk blowing the 1x15 cab, gain nothing from running the setup and possibly lose volume, just skip it.

kolohe11 · #7 08-23-2011, 10:12 PM

Thanks for the advice, I guess I'll just lug both cabs to gigs for the best sound. I tried using just one cab at a gig and I felt lost in the mix, and had to push the cab to the muddy limit just to hear myself over drums. I play with a heavy handed drummer and two loud guitarist, and we do the 80's arena rock thing. Maybe I'll buy an amp that handles a 2ohm load, and run four 4x10 cabs and show those guys who's in charge...LOL

mattplaysdabass · #8 08-23-2011, 10:14 PM

What the OP is basically asking and it's a question I'm interested in too, is a 410 thats rated at 4ohms any louder than a 410 rated at 8ohms if they are both pushed the same at the same watts say when both cabs can handle 300watts each. Because their svt7pro can easily do 300 watts at both 4 and 8 ohms.

**B-string** · #9 08-23-2011, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

Please don't do the bolded. It's a very common myth and unless you want to risk blowing the 1x15 cab, gain nothing from running the setup and possibly lose volume, just skip it.

^+2

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattplaysdabass

What the OP is basically asking and it's a question I'm interested in too, is a 410 thats rated at 4ohms any louder than a 410 rated at 8ohms if they are both pushed the same at the same watts say when both cabs can handle 300watts each. Because their svt7pro can easily do 300 watts at both 4 and 8 ohms.

No the impedance of the cab will make no difference to ITS sound pressure level (loudness) all other factors the same.

kolohe11 · #10 08-23-2011, 10:23 PM

Thanks guys, that's what I really was trying to find out.

mattplaysdabass · #11 08-23-2011, 10:24 PM

Thanks B-String

that's what I thought. So to the OP just take one 8ohm to smaller gigs if it can get the right sound and loudness you want. A 4ohm cab that is identical besides the ohm rating will make no difference.

Jim Carr · #12 08-23-2011, 10:29 PM

I have found having two cabs, a 4 ohm 410 and an 8 ohm 210 cabinet with the same drivers as the 410, gives me a 210 rig, a 410 rig, and a 610 rig. Very useful.

**B-string** · #13 08-23-2011, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattplaysdabass

Thanks B-String

that's what I thought. So to the OP just take one 8ohm to smaller gigs if it can get the right sound and loudness you want. A 4ohm cab that is identical besides the ohm rating will make no difference.

If driven with the same amout of power from an amp. Do this with a tube amp and no difference, SS will require the master to be turned up with the 8 ohm cab to match the "power" output a 4 ohm load would get.

stingraysvt · #14 08-23-2011, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

I have found having two cabs, a 4 ohm 410 and an 8 ohm 210 cabinet with the same drivers as the 410, gives me a 210 rig, a 410 rig, and a 610 rig. Very useful.

In this case it would prove useless for the OP, the SVT 7 pro is only rated to 4 ohms

2 cabs with 8 ohm loads would be the only option. But I would think that would be a killer rig, 210 and a 410 combine for 610@4ohms.

Sweet!

mattplaysdabass · #15 08-23-2011, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingraysvt

In this case it would prove useless for the OP, the SVT 7 pro is only rated to 4 ohms

2 cabs with 8 ohm loads would be the only option. But I would think that would be a killer rig, 210 and a 410 combine for 610@4ohms.

Sweet!

But if you had an 8ohm 210 and an 8ohm 410 wouldn't the 210 be then overpowered because the watts would be shared evenly?

stingraysvt · #16 08-23-2011, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattplaysdabass

But if you had an 8ohm 210 and an 8ohm 410 wouldn't the 210 be then overpowered because the watts would be shared evenly?

It just loads the amp to 4 ohms, there wouldn't be a power struggle so to speak

Grant_MM · #17 08-23-2011, 10:54 PM

So I have Swr 550x and use a working pro 410 @ 8 ohms. Would it be better to get another 410 or go for the 115? If it helps I am playing a mm stingray 4 and a sansamp programmable bass driver. Thanks!

lokikallas · #18 08-23-2011, 10:55 PM

Your current setup with two 8 ohm 410s is probably ideal. If anything you might upgrade them to higher power/quality 8 ohm 410s in the future if you have money burning a hole in your pocket.

Jim Carr · #19 08-23-2011, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingraysvt

In this case it would prove useless for the OP, the SVT 7 pro is only rated to 4 ohms...

Oops, yes, you are no doubt correct about that amp. I guess my starting point in a rig is an amp that can handle 2, 4, and 8 ohms. Needless to say, I don't use an SVT 7 pro.

I was very happy with an SWR 350 silver face, a Crest CA6 power amp, and now I really dig my Mesa Boogie carbine M9. They seem to have no problems with 2 ohm loads.

So maybe the SVT 7 pro is part of the "problem," LOL?

stingraysvt · #20 08-23-2011, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

Oops, yes, you are no doubt correct about that amp. I guess my starting point in a rig is an amp that can handle 2, 4, and 8 ohms. Needless to say, I don't use an SVT 7 pro.

I was very happy with an SWR 350 silver face, a Crest CA6 power amp, and now I really dig my Mesa Boogie carbine M9. They seem to have no problems with 2 ohm loads.

So maybe the SVT 7 pro is part of the "problem," LOL?

I had to check for myself as well, you would think an amp like that would do 2 ohms... :/