Possibly not your average query regarding ohms...

[mr tea]

Can anyone help me out with the following:

I’m currently running an Orange Terror head through an Ampeg 4x10. The terror head is switchable between 4 and 8 ohms, which is very useful when borrowing other peoples cabs a gigs and bears a bit of relevance to my question.

Both cab and head are 500w, the cab is 8 ohms, so together they are matched. However, if I was to swap the cab for a 500w, 4ohm 4x10 cabinet (be this through buying a new one; or replacing the speakers in my existing and/or re-wiring it) would there actually be any noticeable difference in the sound, both volume and tone wise?

[spode master]

If your amp has impedance switch on it I will make the assumption that it is a tube amp, with some sort of matching transformer?

Yes there can be difference in sounds from different impedance configurations the difference would probably be in the high frequencies mostly.

Also there may be a subtle difference between the 8ohm and 4ohm tap on the amps transformer. As one will be a different/lower impedance.

drunk zzzzzzzzz

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by mr tea

if I was to swap the cab for a 500w, 4ohm 4x10 cabinet (be this through buying a new one; or replacing the speakers in my existing and/or re-wiring it) would there actually be any noticeable difference in the sound, both volume and tone wise?

If the said cabs are exactly the same except for the impedance, the answer is no.

Some badly designed amps or cheaply wound OT's may sound slightly different when using different taps, but to be noticeable, either or both would need to be DIY-bad. IME/IMHO anyway.

Regards
Sam

[Mr. Foxen]

It isn't a tube amp, its class D, and the switch is so you get your 500w at 4 or 8 ohm, because some people think it matters.

[KJung]

If that impedance switch actually works on the Terror, then it shouldn't make any difference what impedance your cabinet is. I guess that is the whole point of it.

Interesting design. I assume there is some sort of transformer on the back end to make the output more similar to an all tube amp.

Nice option to be able to put full power into a large 8ohm cab like a fEarful or whatever. That can make a relatively large difference IF you have a relatively low powered amp combined with a large 8ohm cab that can actually use the additional power.