QSC RMX850 + 600W cab = HELP?

[interstatejoe]

First off, forgive me if this is a simple question but I've never really understood RMS vs PEAK vs MAX wattage. I tried doing a search but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, but I may not have search the right terms.

Long story short, for the last 5 years or so my rig has been BBE BMax pre>QCS RMX850>Ampeg 810e, but we recently gave up our lockout and I was sick of hauling the Ampeg beast to practice every week. I snagged a very very lightly used Warwick 411-PRO (w/ road case) for $250. The Ampeg 810s are a dime a dozen it seems, so rather than sell it off I packed the Ampeg away in the garage for now. Different cabs for sure, but I like them both.

According to the Warwick spec, this cab has a power rating of "600W (max. 800W)". My question: would running the RMX850 @ 830w bridged mono into the Warwick be ok or should I stick to the 300w stereo as I have been for the past couple months? I'm guessing I'm maxing out the power amp when running at 300w because the red clip led seems to light up more often then it ever did with the Ampeg, but I still need more volume to compete with 2 guitarists each sporting 100w tube stacks (Peavey 5150 and Ampeg VL-1002) and a heavy fisted drummer.

Thanks for your help!
-Joe

[korngold]

As long as you don't run it full-bore, the QSC should be fine running bridged into the 4x10 cab. You shouldn't have to run it with the volume up so high, which should eliminate the clipping issue. Bridging is more taxing on the amp, so you may generate more heat. However, you have a QSC...so, I'd say you are safe to bridge it. Is your Warwick a 4 or 8 ohm cab?

What I've always heard is that the PA gear rule of thumb (esp. for subs) says to run double the watts into a cab, keep the amp volume reasonable, and you'll have more clean headroom. I don't use a pre/power setup for bass, but I do have a lot of PA gear. Generally speaking, the more wattage your amps have, generally the *less* trouble you cause for your cabinets--providing that you are careful with the volume knob and don't let idiots near your amps. I only put in that last part because I have had a bandmate who consistently tries to be in charge of MY PA gear and has absolutely no idea what he is doing, but loves everything to be "loud." He has Spinal Tap syndrome, I'm afraid.

[interstatejoe]

Its a 4 ohm cab. I thought my problem was that I was driving the qsc to clip while my cab can handle more just fine. Thanks!

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

Is the cab's 600W power rating a continuous (e.g., "RMS") figure or program?

[interstatejoe]

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

Is the cab's 600W power rating a continuous (e.g., "RMS") figure or program?

Not entirely sure. Here's what the Warwick website lists under specs:

WCA 411-4 Pro (4 ohms)

4-ohm-version of the WCA 411 Pro cabinet. Plenty of bass with fast response and well defined mids. Good as standalone, or in a pair, with the WCA 115 Pro or WCA 211 Pro. The adjustable HF horn provides a clear attack and brilliance.

Power rating: 600W (max. 800W)
4 ohms
106dB
4 x 10" speakers (power rating 150W, max. 200W, 16 ohms, 94dB, resonant frequency: 50Hz, frequency range: 35Hz-3500Hz)
HF horn with attenuator (power rating 30W, max. 40W, 8 ohms, 95dB, resonant frequency: 2,5kHz, frequency range: 1,2kHz-20kHz)
Bass reflex housing
Weight: 39 kg
Dimensions (W/H/D): 0,62 x 0,67 x 0,49 m