Will an AMPEG SVT VR amplifier head damage an AMPEG B410HE speaker cabinet?

[nanyk]

Will an AMPEG SVT VR amplifier head damage an AMPEG B410HE speaker cabinet? Or vica versa?

[AMJBASS]

What makes you think it could? There shouldn't be any issues at all. Unless you are getting silly with the volume/boosting lows to the point where you are over extending the speakers it should work out just fine.

[nanyk]

I am wattage / ohm challenged. When you say over extending the lows, will that rule out the box pushing any air at all??? I'm only using a p-bass, no pedals or anything?

By the way I only recently, 6 months ago switched from guitar to bass after 20+ years on the former, I only ever had to plug 100watt heads switched to 16 ohms into matching boxes so the differences in wattage and ohms are confusing to me at this stage!

[username1]

I thought that cab was 8ohms? I dont think the vr will do 8 ohms.

[rmkesler]

The SVT-VR operates at 4 or 2 ohm. I believe that cabinet is an 8 ohm. I wouldn't try it.

[hover]

Read your owners manuals and see if the numbers jive. The 8 ohm cab *should not* be an issue for a 4 ohm load, but sometimes, in re: to tube amp output transformers it *could* be an issue. That said, this is a modern take on a vintage amp. It'll prolly be fine. I used to run my 79 SVT at times with either a 115 classic or an Eden 115, both at 8 ohms for smaller gigs, never an issue. As far as extending the lows is concerned, of course that means eq-ing in such a way that the low end causes an over-excursion of the speaker, also known as farting, that would lead to the voicecoil jumping/overheating and causing a speaker failure. Trust me, you'd know if that happened.

[nanyk]

has anyone else tried this combination?

[fu22ba55]

Originally Posted by rmkesler

The SVT-VR operates at 4 or 2 ohm. I believe that cabinet is an 8 ohm. I wouldn't try it.

+1

If the cab you're talking about is 8 Ohms, I wouldn't do it either. It may work for a short time, but long term, I wouldn't want to subject the output stage of the VR to an 8 ohm load.

I've had one 15" go bad at a gig once or twice, so I had to run just a single 8 Ohm cab for the remainder of the night, but it's not something I'd recommend long term.

Get another 8 ohm cab if you can find one cheap. Doesn't matter what it is (2x10, 1x15, 4x10). Two 8 ohm cabs wired parallel == 4 Ohms. VR will be happy (and loud as the apocalypse) with two 8 ohm cabs.

[MIJ-VI]

SVT-VR

Preamp: Tube (3 x 12AX7, 2 x 12AU7)
Driver Tube(s): 1 x 12AX7, 2 x 12AU7 Power Amp: Tube (6 x 6550)
RMS Power Output: 300-Watts @ 2 ohms
RMS Power Output: 300-Watts @ 4 ohms
Tone Controls: Bass, Mid, Treble
Mid Tone Control: 3-Position Rocker Switch
Ultra Low/High Boosts: Yes
Speaker Connections: Neutrik Speakon® and 1/4"
Balanced Line Out: Yes (Transformer)
Preamp Out/Power Amp In: Yes
Dimensions (W x H x D inches): 24 x 11.5 x 12.75
Weight: 85 pounds



B-410HE

LF Drivers: 4 x 10" Custom Designed Speakers
Voice Coil: 3"
Magnet Weight: 22 oz
HF Driver: Horn/Driver
Voice Coil: 1"
Magnet Weight: 8 oz
RMS Power Handling: 200-Watts <-- Yet another reason to consider adding a 2nd cab.
Frequency Response (-3dB): 55Hz-18kHz
Usable Low Frequency (-10dB): 40Hz
Crossover Frequency: 4kHz
Nominal Impedance: 8-Ohms
Sensitivity: 95dB
Maximum SPL: 118dB
Dimensions (W x H x D inches): 22.75 x 22.75 x 17.5
Shipping Weight: 72 Pounds
Handling Weight: 62 Pounds

[geggy spoiger]

Did you buy the VR and B410HE off of ebay recently?

I thought of bidding on the VR until I saw it had been running with that cab for a while and the store recommended it as a 'perfect match'.

If it is the same amp, I'd be worried about the power tubes at the very least.

The ratings are there for a reason!

[fu22ba55]

Originally Posted by nanyk

Will an AMPEG SVT VR amplifier head damage an AMPEG B410HE speaker cabinet? Or vica versa?

Based on the specs posted above, you could damage BOTH the cab and the head.

You, my friend, need another 8 Ohm cab. It's what Jesus would do.

[hover]

Originally Posted by fu22ba55

Based on the specs posted above, you could damage BOTH the cab and the head.

Please tell us how you came to this conclusion.

[Jim Carr]

In theory, the amp can drive the speakers into over-excursion, and the cab can present an 8 ohm load to a 4 ohm tube head. Therefore, "you could damage both."

[fu22ba55]

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

In theory, the amp can drive the speakers into over-excursion, and the cab can present an 8 ohm load to a 4 ohm tube head. Therefore, "you could damage both."

+1

8 Ohms is too much resistance for the head. LONG TERM, it could damage the output stage of the amp (tubes or transformer)...

BUT, the head is so powerful, it could blow the speakers in the cab.

So it's a race to see which gets damaged first: the speakers or the output stage.

As I said before... if you're in a pinch you could use a single 8 Ohm cab for a gig or two, but I wouldn't do it long term.

[Grooveman1961]

8 ohm cam into a 4 ohm tube amp OH NO! BOOM! or not.

Can one damage the other? Yes. Under normal, reasonable conditions, no.

will 8ohms hurt the head? Not likely.

[WINGS012345]

I've done with no issues at all. 4ohm head can go into an 8 ohm cab. You just dont get the full watts of the head.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by WINGS012345

I've done with no issues at all. 4ohm head can go into an 8 ohm cab. You just dont get the full watts of the head.

that's a solid state thing, not tubes.

[nanyk]

After the advice above, I sold the B410HE and purchased a 410HLF, instead... cheers!

[JimmyM]

a better choice if you want a 410 with an svt, for sure.