whats better 200 watts @10 or 600 watts @ 5?

qcbass · #1 02-12-2011, 09:17 PM

What do you think sounds better. 200 watts cranked to 10 or 600 watts at 5?

madmatt · #2 02-12-2011, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qcbass

What do you think sounds better. 200 watts cranked to 10 or 600 watts at 5?

Obviously 600 cranked to 5.
Ideally one should never drive the output of an amp past noon, or "5", or very far past that at the most.

GrowlerBox · #3 02-12-2011, 09:36 PM

Is headroom a myth or a technical reality?

anonymous101511 · #4 02-12-2011, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmatt

Obviously 600 cranked to 5.
Ideally one should never drive the output of an amp past noon, or "5", or very far past that at the most.

How far you turn the volume knob, on it's own, means nothing whatsoever. Some volume controls are calibrated to be very sensitive, others much less so. Some sound just great at or near completely full on, some would be overdriven at anything more than 20%; that's why a blanket statement regarding the volume level visual setting is a red herring at best.

Muzoid · #5 02-12-2011, 11:22 PM

600 @ 5

I'd never run an amp passed 7ish

It would be asking for trouble, overheating etc.

anonymous101511 · #6 02-12-2011, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muzoid

600 @ 5

I'd never run an amp passed 7ish

It would be asking for trouble, overheating etc.

every amp is different; you can't make a general statement regarding the position of the volume control.

bongomania · #7 02-13-2011, 12:02 AM

Totally. This whole "5, 7, 10" thing is pure ignorant nonsense. It has no meaning and no basis in reality.

Passinwind · #8 02-13-2011, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qcbass

What do you think sounds better. 200 watts cranked to 10 or 600 watts at 5?

Mine goes to eleven. It's one louder.

Muzoid · #9 02-13-2011, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vail_bass

every amp is different; you can't make a general statement regarding the position of the volume control.

Correct...but I still wouldn't chance it...I'd just get more power....I've been in the industry a long time, on stage, as well as a tech...I've seen guys go right up there...and lots of smoke out the back of amps

anonymous101511 · #10 02-13-2011, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muzoid

Correct...but I still wouldn't chance it...I'd just get more power.

I like more power, as well!

fourstringburn · #11 02-13-2011, 12:08 AM

It used to be amps sounded best at 11, now I see it's better at 20

Muzoid · #12 02-13-2011, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Totally. This whole "5, 7, 10" thing is pure ignorant nonsense. It has no meaning and no basis in reality.

read the way I worded mine before calling me ignorant m'kay

T-Bird · #13 02-13-2011, 01:07 AM

Hi.

Welcome to TalkBass qcbass.

Like said before, by itself the number that the volume dial points to has got nothing to do with the tone, or the power, or the volume, if two different amps are measured or tested. There's at least a dozen more menaningful variables that affect the result.

Anyone who claims differently, hasn't probably measured/benched a pair of amps once in their life.

Regards
Sam

Passinwind · #14 02-13-2011, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringburn

It used to be amps sounded best at 11, now I see it's better at 20

Yep, and much as with bass amps, font size is everything.

bongomania · #15 02-13-2011, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muzoid

read the way I worded mine before calling me ignorant m'kay

There is no direct correlation between the knob position and things overheating or failing. You may have seen what looked like correlations, with amps or speakers failing when cranked, but those instances could have been caused by the equipment being misused in a variety of ways that have nothing to do with the knob position. Poor ventilation, inadequate or faulty power source, inappropriate ohm loads, badly-designed amps, etc. etc.

JimmyM · #16 02-13-2011, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qcbass

What do you think sounds better. 200 watts cranked to 10 or 600 watts at 5?

neither. you're too damn loud and all the chicks are leaving and your gig just turned into a sausagefest.

Passinwind · #17 02-13-2011, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

neither. you're too damn loud and all the chicks are leaving and your gig just turned into a sausagefest.

You da man.

Bassmec · #18 02-13-2011, 03:34 AM

It depends far more on the size of the knob that you actually got mate, you know the one, the knob that the numbers are around?, you see the bigger knob you have, the further apart and the more numbers there are, obviously the louder it goes, Here is a picture of my Great Big Black Knob that goes all the way up to 20 man!:

Nev375 · #19 02-13-2011, 03:51 AM

Well a 200w blender really doesn't have enough power to chip the ice, So i'll choose the 600 watt one. I can't say I particularly like the sound of either.

Anyway, I like my margaritas like I like my women; sweet, wet, salty around the edge and a bit fruity. Thank you, keep them coming.

Sartori · #20 02-13-2011, 03:55 AM

Depends on the amp. I like the sound of my 180 watter cranked more than the sound of any 600 watt head I've ever heard.