Watts up with Hartke?

ratsnotmice · #1 08-25-2011, 05:40 PM

Hi everyone, sorry about the title--I couldn't resist.

I'm new and trying to find out some info. I've been playing for about 26 years, so I know enough to get myself in trouble.

I have recently been using a Hartke A70, and all in all I'm pretty happy with it. Being the curious type I wanted to pull the 12" speaker to check it out and realized it is an 8 ohm driver. I knew this from the instruction manual. I also read in the instruction manual this amp is rated 70watts RMS(verified this with an email to Hartke/Samson) into a 4 ohm load.

Light bulb....ON

Now am I correct in thinking this amp is nowhere near outputting 70 watts into an 8 ohm load?

I've emailed Hartke but have not recieved a response.

Any opinions welcome. Thanks.

RickBlair · #2 08-25-2011, 06:23 PM

You are correct. Just guessing since amp designs vary, but you are probably getting somewhere in the 50+ watt output range into an 8 ohm load.

Rick B.

magic papa · #3 08-25-2011, 06:38 PM

It probably needs an 8ohm extension speaker to get the full power. Many combos are like that, you get ca 50% out of the box and the rest with extension cab.

Bread Knife · #4 08-25-2011, 06:50 PM

The difference in power output between 8 ohms and 4 ohms will probably not be enough to notice. Plugging in an extension cabinet is likely how Hartke intended for this to work, and that should give you a bit of a volume boost. I don't think a 70 watt/12" combo is enough amp to really worry about getting maximum power output anyhow.

magic papa · #5 08-25-2011, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bread Knife

The difference in power output between 8 ohms and 4 ohms will probably not be enough to notice. Plugging in an extension cabinet is likely how Hartke intended for this to work, and that should give you a bit of a volume boost. I don't think a 70 watt/12" combo is enough amp to really worry about getting maximum power output anyhow.

Yeah, that's a fair call, it won't make any difference. The intention from Hartke was probably more to enable the amp to use two speakers rather than use the 4ohm load to increase power output.

The Lemon · #6 08-25-2011, 07:11 PM

If you want the word from the man himself, just call him.

1 (201) 680-8153 (cell)

JimmyM · #7 08-26-2011, 02:35 AM

Ya, that's what you would call a "good thing."

BillyIVbass · #8 08-26-2011, 03:06 AM

Y'know I was hoping this thread had something to do with this bass monster!!!!