SWR golight 410 - 4ohm or 8ohm for me?

Da Funky Fish · #1 10-22-2011, 06:45 AM

Hi,

I want this cabinet and plan on not adding another cabinet to the rig to keep it light. My loudest project will be a rock band with two guitar players who play half stacks - is it wise in this situation to go the way of the 4ohm cabinet if I do not plan on adding a second cabinet?

I was hoping on the 4ohm cab at 800w and adding a micro head at about 600w but maybe someone can advise on why the 8ohm cab may do. Any advice appreciated - thanks!

KJung · #2 10-22-2011, 06:51 AM

+1 If you know you will only use a single 410, and are planning on a 'moderate wattage' micro, you will somewhat benefit from a 4ohm version with no downside.

The result of getting the 4ohm version of a larger cab that can actually use the additional couple hundred or few hundred watts from a moderately powered solid state head is a bit more volume (a couple db... which is noticable), and more importantly, a more open, less compressed low end (due to both more power to the cab and also that you are a bit less likely to hit the limiting circuitry of the head when really pushed).

You won't really notice much difference if you A/B the two versions at a music store, since you really need to be pushing the head to achieve the benefits of more wattage (again within the usable wattage range of the cab).

It will result in you being able to choose from a wider range of heads also, since you don't have to limit your choices to those heads that have high 8ohm wattage.

Jarrett · #3 10-22-2011, 06:55 AM

I've owned the several of the Golight cabs. If you are in a loud band, you will likely want something closer to ear level. The rock gigs I played with my single 4ohm Golight 4x10 and a Shuttle 9.0, it was not loud enough to be heard while shooting at my knees. For a while I had it plus a Golight Jr. 2x10 stacked so I could hear it better, but all of that was bulky to move and sometimes overkill.

Now I have a pair of Golight Jr. 2x10s that I stack vertically and use a TC Electronics RH750 for the amp and it kind of provides best of both worlds. It's portable, close to ear level and it can move some serious air if I need it to. I've used that setup at a large theater with no PA support and have been asked to turn down. Then if I have a smaller gig I just take one 2x10 and its plenty.

billfitzmaurice · #4 10-22-2011, 07:52 AM

Watts don't mean a thing where output is concerned, so ignore that part of the equation. What does matter is leaving room for future expansion of your system, even if you don't think you'll need it now. Better safe than sorry, get an 8 ohm cab.

lomo · #5 10-22-2011, 08:02 AM

I agree with Ken. If you know the single 410 will do you and you plan on using a micro head (even one rated at 500 watts into 8 Ohms) I'd go with the 4 Ohm cab. IME the lows will be tighter at high volumes and max useable volume will be a bit louder. I understand that watts are not a major part of the equation, but to say they "don't mean a thing" is simply an overstatement, else a 2 watt head would do you fine.

Da Funky Fish · #6 10-22-2011, 09:43 AM

Decisions decisions. I am going to lean towards a one 4x10 cabinet. I would think that the 4 ohm and head with sufficient wattage would cover me no?

Jarrett · #7 10-22-2011, 10:08 AM

I thought that would be enough as well.

lomo · #8 10-22-2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da Funky Fish

Decisions decisions. I am going to lean towards a one 4x10 cabinet. I would think that the 4 ohm and head with sufficient wattage would cover me no?

Unless you are playing VERY loud without PA support it will be fine, but only you can really decide that.

Red Planet · #9 10-22-2011, 11:17 AM

You could go with an 8 ohm then get a Streamliner 900. That would give you the thunder for an 8 ohm cab and give you the ability to add a cab later.

If you go with one of the 500 to 600 watt Heads I'd go with 4 ohms because the amp will not put out enough juice to compete.

The Streamliner 900 would push the 4 ohm Golight even more and not be too much for it. This would be ideal for really loud but still keep it small/light.

Da Funky Fish · #10 10-23-2011, 07:59 AM

The Streamliner 900 looks pretty sick - 500w @ 8ohm 900w @ 4ohm.

Would this head pushing 900w @ 4ohm be a little too much for the golight 4 ohm at 800w 4ohms or would this still be ok/manageable without damaging the cabinet?

Jarrett · #11 10-23-2011, 08:03 AM

If it's using the same power module as the Shuttle 9.0, the cab won't have a problem with it (as the amp is overrated on its power specs) If you are thinking about going Genz Benz, I would highly suggest a two cab setup. My Shuttle 9.0 with a single Golight didn't get the job done for me for louder gigs.

Red Planet · #12 10-23-2011, 11:02 AM

Neither the Shuttle 9.0 or the Streamliner 900 are over rated by any stretch of the imagination. The users inability to utilize an amp does not make it's output over rated. I got my Shuttle 9.0 from a TBer that claimed his F1 was louder. Now that is really funny.

If you judge it against a MarkBass platform where the amp is running wide open when all the volumes are half way you are being deceived.

Both the Streamliner and the Shuttle 9.0 are every bit of half a QSC PLX 1804. I have directly AB'eb them.

Jarrett · #13 10-23-2011, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Planet

Neither the Shuttle 9.0 or the Streamliner 900 are over rated by any stretch of the imagination.

OP, if you do a little research on this, you'll find some interesting info on the ratings of the IcePower modules GB (and other amp makers) use. For example, check the specs on the Shuttle 9.0 and the Aguillar ToneHammer 500 which both use that module.

Red Planet · #14 10-23-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarrett

OP, if you do a little research on this, you'll find some interesting info on the ratings of the IcePower modules GB (and other amp makers) use. For example, check the specs on the Shuttle 9.0 and the Aguillar ToneHammer 500 which both use that module.

Yes but Genz Benz is goosing the module and getting rid of the heat.

However you want to think about it the power sections in the 900 and 9.0 are pumping out waaaayyyy more energy than any 500 watt micro available.

Jarrett · #15 10-23-2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Planet

However you want to think about it the power sections in the 900 and 9.0 are pumping out waaaayyyy more energy than any 500 watt micro available.

I certainly didn't find that to be the case when I A/B'ed my Shuttle 9.0 with my Carvin BX500 and neither of them were as loud as my TC Electronics RH750 and apparently its only a 236 watt amp

5StringPocket · #16 10-23-2011, 05:55 PM

So a Shuttle Max 12.0 with a pair of 4 ohm Golight 410's should be a powerful modular setup which could handle most any gig if you've got the money for 2 cabs.

Da Funky Fish · #17 10-25-2011, 05:23 AM

Thanks for all the comments. I will go through them and make a pros and cons word doc. I think maybe, just maybe I will end up going the 8 ohm route for expandability, but in my heart, I'd like to have one 410 so I will hopefully get it all down and make a good decision.

MakiSupaStar · #18 10-25-2011, 09:07 AM

Personally, if you've got two guitarists with half stacks, you're going to find yourself washed out. I would go for more watts and a second cab. Two 8 ohm cabs = 4ohms.

Red Planet · #19 10-25-2011, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5StringPocket

So a Shuttle Max 12.0 with a pair of 4 ohm Golight 410's should be a powerful modular setup which could handle most any gig if you've got the money for 2 cabs.

Yes this would hammer.

Red Planet · #20 10-25-2011, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarrett

I certainly didn't find that to be the case when I A/B'ed my Shuttle 9.0 with my Carvin BX500 and neither of them were as loud as my TC Electronics RH750 and apparently its only a 236 watt amp

I'm sure.