What amp head for Avatar?

[FallingUnknown]

Been considering an Avatar 410 and the 212. I haven't decided which one to get first as a stand alone cab. If I do get the 212 first it will be the 1000W version at 8ohms.

What head should I be looking for to pair with this rig? I was thinking the new Ampeg PF-500 http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....ead?sku=H71373

I'd like to weigh out some more options if any of you have any. Price range would be preferably no higher than $400. I will be playing mostly death metal and doom metal so farting out at high volumes is unacceptable.

[rpsands]

Get the 153.

[PSPookie]

As to farting out a high volume:
1) that usually has more to do with the cab and EQ than the head
2) Metal? High volume? What about all-tube? It gets more aggressive as you turn up as opposed to farting out.

For max volume the 4x10 and 153 are probably your best bets, but I have to ask: what's the point of getting a cab rated for 1000W @ 8ohms if you plan on powering it with a head that will only pump out about 300W @ 8 ohms?

[FallingUnknown]

Originally Posted by PSPookie

As to farting out a high volume:
1) that usually has more to do with the cab and EQ than the head
2) Metal? High volume? What about all-tube? It gets more aggressive as you turn up as opposed to farting out.

For max volume the 4x10 and 153 are probably your best bets, but I have to ask: what's the point of getting a cab rated for 1000W @ 8ohms if you plan on powering it with a head that will only pump out about 300W @ 8 ohms?

I plan on completing the full stack so at some point it will be 4 ohms but for now it will be a stand alone at 8 ohms. Give me some details why a 4x10 or the 153 would be better, please. Also some suggestions for heads are greatly appreciated just keep in mind my criteria.

[metalbob]

I just sent you a PM

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by FallingUnknown

Price range would be preferably no higher than $400. I will be playing mostly death metal and doom metal so farting out at high volumes is unacceptable.

Hate to rain on your parade, but high volume and not farting out does NOT come on a budget.

It requires high power, and lots of speakers.

[metalbob]

avatar 212 and 410 powered by Carvin B1500

[PSPookie]

Originally Posted by FallingUnknown

I plan on completing the full stack so at some point it will be 4 ohms but for now it will be a stand alone at 8 ohms. Give me some details why a 4x10 or the 153 would be better, please. Also some suggestions for heads are greatly appreciated just keep in mind my criteria.

Sure, if you complete the stack you will present a 4 ohm impedance to the head, but each cab will only receive 250W if you're using a 500W @ 4 ohm head.

In general a 2x12 will get about %80 as loud as a similar 4x10. The 4 10" speakers move more air than 2 12" speakers, making the cabinet more efficient.

As to the 153, the idea is that with 3 different drivers (bass, mid, treble) each can do what it does best instead of wasting energy trying to produce frequencies for which it is inefficient. This, paired with an engineered enclosure leads to a much more efficient cabinet.

Efficiency will trump power handling any day when it comes to getting loud.

As to recommendations: buy used. You'll either spend half the money or get twice the amp vs. buying new. Without knowing your tonal goals, it's hard to recommend a head but for close to your stated budget you could get a: MarkBass LMII, Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0, GK 700RB-II, Carvin B1500, Hartke LH500 or several other solid-state heads. For a little more you can start getting into all-tube offerings like a Traynor YBA-200, Peavey VB-2 or Ampeg V4BH.

Look around and see if anything rolls your socks up and down.

[fcoda]

I run my avatar 2x12 & 2 2x10 through a crown amp and sans amp. I run at 4ohms and 2ohms depending on the room and PA support