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08-19-2011, 08:23 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: US | | | Power amp question
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If an amp is 500W per channel 8 ohms, 750W per channel at 4 ohms, and 1000W+ bridged at 8 ohms, does that mean that I can't use 2 8 ohm cabs in bridged mode because now the impedance is divided by 2? If that's the case, then what I need is a power amp with decent wattage per channel @ 8 ohms and then bridges @ 4 ohms. I'm having a hard time finding that. What I'll have is 2 8 ohm cabs where I'll use one for rehearsal, and then 2 for gigs. I suppose I could use both 8 ohm channels, but I'd like to take advantage of more power at 4 ohms bridged for gigs. HELP!  |
08-19-2011, 08:26 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Cleveland, TN | | | What amp are you looking at and what is your price range?
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Warrior Studio Plus 5 / EBMM SR5
VT Bass/Crown XLS 1000/fEARful 15/6/1
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08-19-2011, 08:29 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: austin,tx | | | Ones that are safe at 2ohm/ch can be bridged at 4ohms. If the per/ch limit is 4, the bridge limit is 8. Although with 500watts/ch at 8ohms I'd just run one cab off each side. That's already more power than you could make use of. |
08-19-2011, 08:32 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: US | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Bardley  What amp are you looking at and what is your price range? | I've been looking at the popular ones: Crown, QSC, Peavy, Crest, etc.
Price: under $1000. I think I should be able to find a lightweight amp with decent power for that price range. |
08-19-2011, 08:39 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: austin,tx | | | Most anything any of those companies make can be bridged at 4ohms. Except for maybe some odd model here or there. |
08-19-2011, 08:41 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Cleveland, TN | | | You should check out Carvin as well. They get a lot of love on here. The HD1500 is 1500w bridged at 4ohms and weighs 9 lbs. It'll only set you back about $320.
Crown XLS series is very nice and bridgable. Peaveys are IPR series is very good, too but I don't think they are bridgable.
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Warrior Studio Plus 5 / EBMM SR5
VT Bass/Crown XLS 1000/fEARful 15/6/1
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08-19-2011, 08:51 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Hungary | | The Crown XLS Drivecores got good reviews, so did the Peavey IPRs. They are lightweight, have decent power (even the smallest ones), and cheap.
Last edited by open.eadg : 08-19-2011 at 08:52 AM.
Reason: what Bardley said!
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08-19-2011, 09:02 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: North Bend, WA | | | +1 on Carvin. They make solid power amps. The DCM1000 has a few more features than the HD1500 at around the same price.
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Old Guys Rule!
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08-19-2011, 09:08 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bothell, WA | | For anywhere near $1000 you can get far more power than you'd ever need, and bridgeable into any resistance you will need. PA amps are designed to drive far worse loads than a couple bass cabs.
As an example, $1000 gets you a Crown XTI 2 4002 Crown XTI2 4002 Power Amplifier | Sam Ash Music 1-800-4-SAMASH
It'll put 1600w per channel into a 2ohm load, and bridge into a 4ohm load at 3200w. The XLS 2000 or XTI2 1002 are half that, and probably more than enough for the majority of bassists. I love PA amps, so much wattage for so very little money. 
And of course if you want something a bit heavier that'll drive from 1-16ohm loads there's this...
Last edited by Balog : 08-19-2011 at 09:10 AM.
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08-19-2011, 09:34 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: US | | Quote:
Originally Posted by open.eadg The Crown XLS Drivecores got good reviews, so did the Peavey IPRs. They are lightweight, have decent power (even the smallest ones), and cheap. | The Crowns don't have what I need. They have no bridged 4 ohm. So I won't be able to run 2 8 ohm cabs. |
08-19-2011, 09:34 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: US | | Quote:
Originally Posted by cableguy +1 on Carvin. They make solid power amps. The DCM1000 has a few more features than the HD1500 at around the same price. | So far, the Carvin DCM3800L is the only one that has everything I need. Does anyone have any experience with these? |
08-19-2011, 09:40 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada | | Quote:
Originally Posted by u84six a power amp with decent wattage per channel @ 8 ohms and then bridges @ 4 ohms. I'm having a hard time finding that. | How can you be having a hard time? Almost every power amp out there can bridge into 4Ω!
I used my Carvin DCM1000L at a gig last night for the first time. It was wonderful. Easily kept up with the Mackie FR1400 it replaced at a fraction of the weight. Stone cold when I switched it on and just as cold when I switched it off several hours later. Driving an Acme B2 at 4Ω per channel.
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Paul
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08-19-2011, 09:41 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: austin,tx | | | What else do you need other than bridging at 4ohms, tons of amps csn do that. Built in xovers, hpf's, dsp? |
08-19-2011, 09:44 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2004 Location: Seattle, WA | | | QSC PLX, Crown XLS, Peacey IPR, Carvin DCM... They all bridge to 4 ohms. I don't get why this search is so difficult.
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08-19-2011, 09:49 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: US | | Quote:
Originally Posted by silky smoove QSC PLX, Crown XLS, Peacey IPR, Carvin DCM... They all bridge to 4 ohms. I don't get why this search is so difficult. | I'm definitely a noob when it comes to this. I'm just going by what I'm reading. Where does it say that these bridge at 4 ohms other than the XLS5000? XLS Series
And where does it say that with the Peavys? http://www.peavey.com/products/proau...sp%3B3000.html
Last edited by u84six : 08-19-2011 at 09:52 AM.
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08-19-2011, 09:50 AM
|  | Keepin' the Groove Alive ! | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Stax 1966 | | Quote:
Originally Posted by BassmanPaul How can you be having a hard time? Almost every power amp out there can bridge into 4Ω!
I used my Carvin DCM1000L at a gig last night for the first time. It was wonderful. Easily kept up with the Mackie FR1400 it replaced at a fraction of the weight. Stone cold when I switched it on and just as cold when I switched it off several hours later. Driving an Acme B2 at 4Ω per channel. | +1, and an even better deal for the same price is the Carvin HD1500. A pound lighter and slightly more wattage.
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08-19-2011, 09:52 AM
| | Keepin' the Groove Alive ! | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Stax 1966 | | Quote:
Originally Posted by u84six I'm definitely a noob when it comes to this. I'm just going by what I'm reading. Where does it say that these bridge at 4 ohms other than the XLS5000? XLS Series | Might be referring to the XLS DRIVECORE series of amps, which bridge to 4 ohms, have DSP, etc.
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R.I.P Duck Dunn, 2012.
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08-19-2011, 09:55 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: US | | Quote:
Originally Posted by jnewmark Might be referring to the XLS DRIVECORE series of amps, which bridge to 4 ohms, have DSP, etc. | Ah, you mean the product is not listed on their website? |
08-19-2011, 09:56 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: US | | Even the QSC specifically says that is does not need bridged mode: QSC - PLX1804 Specifications |
08-19-2011, 09:57 AM
|  | I Know Nothing | | Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Columbia River Gorge, WA. | | Quote:
Originally Posted by u84six Ah, you mean the product is not listed on their website? | Huh? XLS Drivecore™ Series | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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