What would make a great addon CAB for me?

YurAnus · #1 08-13-2010, 05:21 PM

I am looking to add a CAB to my rig and am unsure what would give me the best sound. I am playing through a SWR SM-400s head and a SWR 2x10 Goliath JR. III 4Ohm. I play just at my house for recording and jamming with the band. What would be the perfect addition to my rig to give me more volume and thump? I was thinking the SWR Son of Bertha 1x15 but it is only 8Ohm.

rpsands · #2 08-13-2010, 05:25 PM

Selling the 2x10 and getting a 4x10 if you're not playing out

rodl2005 · #3 08-13-2010, 06:16 PM

Does your amp go LOWER than 4 ohms safely?? IF not U CANNOT add another cab without the likelihood of frying the amp eh??

I'd do as stated above - grab either a 410 (4ohm) or a 410 8 ohm & a 115 or another 8 ohm cab. I'd go for 12" drivers myself. I seem to prefer 'em to 10"s
A good 2x12" will do MOST things U want & if U ONLY wanna be hauling ONE cab- make it a 4 ohm. DONE!

RickenBoogie · #4 08-13-2010, 06:22 PM

+1, unless I'm mistaken, your amp will do 4 ohms minimum. Your cab now is 4 ohms, so no additional cabs can be added. Dump the 4 ohm 2x10, (one of the worst ideas ever by MI companies), and get a 4 ohm 4x10, or a pair of 8 ohm cabs. Otoh, IF the SWR SM400 can safely operate at 2 ohms, an identical 2x10 like yours would be the best match.

canadian*eh · #5 08-13-2010, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpsands

Selling the 2x10 and getting a 4x10 if you're not playing out

+1

I agree...a 4 ohm 210...is kinda useless if you are wanting to another cab...alot of amp..but not all cant handle a load below 4 ohms. I would say go for a 8 ohm 410 Goliath then you can add other cabs like the SOB 115 or even another 410.. I had a 210 and then got a 115....then got rid of the 210 for a 410...and then got rid of the 115 for another 410...lol... I just could not seam to make up my mind

But now i am happy...i take both of them with me most the time but i atleast got the option of splitting them and still having a kick A$$ 410 setup. Best of luck Cheers Mate!!!~Elliot

YurAnus · #6 08-13-2010, 06:41 PM

Right now my amp is not bridged so it's running @ 2x250w and my cab is plugged into the left channel. If you say that the best match for me is another 2x10 then shouldn't I be able to plug it into the right channel? Also it does say under the bridged banana plug 4ohm min so. Does that mean I can't go lower than 4ohms or higher to 8 on the bridged output? Also my amp has a cross over out high and low. Is that a bridged output? Also don't get me wrong I love the way this cab sounds and it has plenty of punch and volume but I just want to see what the best match is so I can keep my eye out on craigslist for one.

canadian*eh · #7 08-13-2010, 06:48 PM

If i am not mistaken if you play that amp in Stereo Mode you get 250watts a side at 2ohms or 400 watts a 4 ohms bridged. So if that is the case you could run a total of 4 4 ohm 210s with that Amp with 2 running a side. Now In Bridge mode you can run a 8 or 16 or higher ohm cab through it cause it is less of a load you just cant run anything lower then 4 ohms when it is brided!! Now as for the cross over out high and low.... that would be ran in stereo mode with you high Frequency's being sent to one cab on one Channel and the low frequency's being sent to another cab from the other Channel there by splitting up your sound just like a cab does with the horn send hi's to the horn and lows to the woofers. but in this case it would be to different cabs.If i were you i would look up the stats sheet on that amp would give you alot of info and answers to some of your questiong. but it is just something for you to chew on!! Cheers Mate!!~Elliot

YurAnus · #8 08-13-2010, 06:57 PM

This is from the SWR website

When used in the stereo mode, the internal power amplifiers of the SM-400S will deliver 300 watts @ 2 ohms, 250 Watts @ 4 ohms and 150 Watts into 8 ohms. Optimum performance will be achieved by using a total of 4 ohms per channel. When using 2 ohm loads, the amplifier will run hotter than normal and the internal fan will be running most of the time. Minimum load in the stereo mode is 2 OHMS!

When used in the Bridge mode, the SM-400 will deliver 250 Watts into 16 ohms, 400 Watts into 8 ohms and 500 Watts into 4 ohm loads. Make sure the speakers you use in this mode can handle the power. Minimum load in the bridge mode is 4 OHMS!

canadian*eh · #9 08-13-2010, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YurAnus

This is from the SWR website

When used in the stereo mode, the internal power amplifiers of the SM-400S will deliver 300 watts @ 2 ohms, 250 Watts @ 4 ohms and 150 Watts into 8 ohms. Optimum performance will be achieved by using a total of 4 ohms per channel. When using 2 ohm loads, the amplifier will run hotter than normal and the internal fan will be running most of the time. Minimum load in the stereo mode is 2 OHMS!

When used in the Bridge mode, the SM-400 will deliver 250 Watts into 16 ohms, 400 Watts into 8 ohms and 500 Watts into 4 ohm loads. Make sure the speakers you use in this mode can handle the power. Minimum load in the bridge mode is 4 OHMS!

Well There you go i was not to far off in my stats.... hope that is able to help you and answer you questions and help you in making your choice in what cabs and combination's of each to get!! All the best to you mate!!~Elliot

YurAnus · #10 08-13-2010, 07:03 PM

Also it looks like if I was to use the cross over it would be stereo.

Using the SM-400S for Bi-Amping
Using high quality shielded cable, run a patch from the "Low" out jack into the "Left" stereo effects return jack and a patch from the "High" out jack to the "Right" stereo effects jack. Next, make sure the Power Amp Assign switch is in the "Stereo" position. Now, hook up your low frequency speakers to the "Left" speaker output jack and your high frequency speakers to the "Right" speaker output jack. Correct levels or balance between highs and lows can be achieved with the "Balance" control located on the front panel.

The SM-400S can be used for amplifying just the low or high frequencies! To accomplish this, run a patch from either the high or low crossover out jacks to the "Mono" effects return. Switch the Power Amp Assign switch to "Bridge" and use the banana jack for your speakers.

YurAnus · #11 08-14-2010, 03:11 AM

What would be the big diff in sound if I were to add a 1x15 or 1x18 vs another 2x10 or 4x10.

RickenBoogie · #12 08-14-2010, 07:30 AM

Assuming these are all full range bass cabs, not much. To use the bi-amp capability, you'd need a dedicated PA subwoofer, and some sort of mid range (6", or 8") mid driver box with horns.

YurAnus · #13 08-14-2010, 08:36 AM

Well the amp has a cross over so I could run the highs through the 2x10 and get the big Bertha 2x15 for the lows. But after reading some other posts it seems like just getting another 2x10 is going to be the best option for me.

JimmyM · #14 08-14-2010, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YurAnus

Well the amp has a cross over so I could run the highs through the 2x10 and get the big Bertha 2x15 for the lows. But after reading some other posts it seems like just getting another 2x10 is going to be the best option for me.

right. don't forget that both the goliaths and the big bertha are full range cabs and designed to work full range. while it is possible to biamp them, it's not optimal and won't work nearly as well as using a pa style rig with a real sub and a top. so since you already have one goliath 210, get a second one, make a vertical stack out of it, and you'll get all the benefits of a 410 + it'll have the throw of an 810 and get a speaker pointed at your ear so you can more accurately hear what you're doing. win win.