Trace Elliot 1048h

Neverender · #1 10-28-2011, 12:55 PM

Hey there, I have a question I'd like to run by ya'll, and hopefully this is the right spot to do so.

In the very near future I am going to be picking up a UK made TE 1048h (Pre-gibson/Peavey etc.) And I am curious about the wattage it can handle. The specs are on the back, but they are hand written, and unfortunately the impedance is all smudged up.

I have read that these cabs are 300W at 8 Ohms, and I see that the new ones are 800W at 8 Ohms. I know they run things across the pond a bit differently than we do here, and 300W might not be entirely indicative of what this puppy can handle.

I guess my main question is, how can I find out exactly how many watts this mofo can handle? Looking to buy a new head too, so I want to make sure I snag a good match.

Thanks for your times,

-I can supply pics too if that helps

RickenBoogie · #2 10-28-2011, 01:43 PM

Not sure of the rating, but whatever it is, it's rated to the point the voice coil will melt, and NOT actual mechanical limits, which are usually half their rated number. As with ANY pairing of amp to cab, any amp can blow any speaker cab. It's important to use your ears and listen for the cab straining, at which point you must turn the volume and/or low eq down. Otherwise, it's all just personal preference, and I'm sure someone will come along with the actual numbers.

Neverender · #3 10-28-2011, 01:56 PM

Thanks for the response, much appreciated! Good info (bit of an amp/cab noob). Definitely trying to figure out the 'on paper' threshold, so as to avoid any idiocy induced meltdowns =*(

RobJ · #4 10-28-2011, 02:20 PM

As I recall that cab is rated 320 watts @8 ohms. Great sounding cab in my opinion.

Neverender · #5 10-28-2011, 02:34 PM

Appreciate the responses, was hoping it would be a little higher watt wise, cause that would leave more doors open for different heads, but its all good! Thanks for the info, if anyone has any other input or information that is applicable, I'd love to hear it!

wyleeboxer · #6 10-28-2011, 02:43 PM

I've got one here for sale and have too to say that the 320 wattage on that cab is very conservative. The cab is owned by a friend of mine, but i've played it and it is way louder and seems able to handle a higher amount of wattage then the back of the cab suggest.

Yes, just let your ears be the judge!

Neverender · #7 10-28-2011, 02:56 PM

Hmmm, so do ya'll think it'd be feasible to run at least around 375W at 8 ohms into this sweet mofo?

RickenBoogie · #8 10-28-2011, 03:06 PM

Sure, you could even run a 600+ watt amp through it- but just be aware that regardless of how many watts an amp can produce, it's still up to your ears and good common sense how to use it.

Tracebassplayer · #9 10-28-2011, 03:15 PM

Yassuh... 320 Watts 8 ohm load.
The new ones use updated drivers that handle more wattage - new technology.

What is the minimum load rating of your amp?
If its 375@4 ohms.. you are good to go as the 8 ohm load will reduce the wattage output.
Also if your amp is a 4 ohm load amp, then you can run two 8 ohm cabs daisychained.

Wyleeboxer is correct. Trace Elliot rates their equipment very conservatively.

wneff · #10 10-28-2011, 03:16 PM

Power numbers on speakers don't mean too much.

Essentially, get a big amp, hook it up to your cab, and listen:
- if it does not distort or other wise sounds like you're overdoing it you are find.

- if is starts to distort at loud notes and the amplifier clip is not lighting then you reached the limit of the cab - don't turn up further.
- If the amp clips get a bigger amp.

You can hear when it gets too much for them - they start to distort and sound compressed.

wneff · #11 10-28-2011, 03:21 PM

The 375 W rating means that the cab an handle an AVERAGE of 375 W over a certain amount of time.

Obviously, if you have a 375 W amp, that means that the amp puts out 375 W MAX. That mean - you will not get 375 W average out of it. If your speaker dies its not because of the wattage rating. It MAY die with very little power due to excessive speaker travel. ...and it may do that with a few tens of watt if you hit the right frequency.

Neverender · #12 10-28-2011, 03:29 PM

Thank you all for the quick responses! I really appreciate it, and its helped immensely. The amp is 375 @ 8 Ohms, but eventually I want to grab a 2nd 4x10, so will eventually be running 2 at 4 Ohms.

Tracebassplayer · #13 10-28-2011, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neverender

Thank you all for the quick responses! I really appreciate it, and its helped immensely. The amp is 375 @ 8 Ohms, but eventually I want to grab a 2nd 4x10, so will eventually be running 2 at 4 Ohms.

Then you'll need a amp that has a 4 ohm minimum load rating.
If your amp is 8 ohm minimum load then you can only run one 8 ohm cab.
two 8 ohm cabs will give you a 4 ohm load. Running 4 ohm loads on an 8 ohm minimum load amp will damage the amp.