Will a Streamliner 600 push a 1600 watt cab?

[DigthemLows]

Looking at a Schroeder 412 4ohm for outdoor gigs and am interested in opinions on whether a Streamliner 600 will push it enough?? Cab is rated at 1600watts ....... I'm using a schroeder 212 now that's rated for 1000 and it's plenty loud and seems as efficient as I could want.........

[KJung]

Cab wattage rating is a loose guide to maximum recommended wattage, and has nothing at all to do with 'how much wattage a cabinet needs to reach full volume.

The Shroe's are mid present in general, with a somewhat attenuated low end, which makes them sound loud per watt. So, zero issue. That would work fine. Unless you are on a real budget, get the Streamliner900.... the only reason to get the 600 IMO is budget (or if you always play moderate volume gigs with a small cab).

[DigthemLows]

Thanks Ken, I already have a 600 and am on a budget....hehe....I love the SL and couldn't imagine needing the 900 so I went for it.........Most of the gigs I play are small clubs and for that my 1212R does fine, but I'm finding myself wishing I could hear the stage volume better so something taller is a good thing.........however I'm not 18 anymore and like the idea of 65lbs for a 4x12...........ideally I'd go for an AE212 or AE410 but again, budget!! ........ and there isn't anyone letting those go in the range I can pay..........

[dubstylee]

Hey DigthemLows, I think the 600 would be plenty for your 412. 600 watts is a good deal of power (double of an SVT, and a lot of live acts use SVT's as their stage rig). I think 600 watts would be plenty, anything past that, you would probably need PA support anyways being that it's a large venue. I get by fine with my SL600, even at 8 ohms, it's just freakin loud man!

[RickenBoogie]

If the 212 is getting you the volume, I'd just put it up on an amp stand to get closer to your ears. No sense buying a new cab if the one you have will do the job. On Stage amp stands are around $50.

[jeff7bass]

Either that or a new 212 to supplement the existing 212. Stack’em vertical for a 4x12 tower of power!

There are advantages to having two cabs anyway. One, it will sound BETTER than a single 412. Two, if one cab fails you can still play your gig. Three, easier to carry smaller cabs.

[DigthemLows]

I'm not a fan of raising a cab, I feel like it looses something......and my current 2x12 is 4ohms so can't get another........Streamliner isn't rated for 2ohm

[Sartori]

Why did you get a 4 ohm 2x12?

[DigthemLows]

because I don't like to carry more than one cab.........I would much rather have 2 totally seperate cabs for 2 different uses than use 2 cabs for one use...........I like hauling in light and small.........

[Sartori]

I dunno, two 2x12"s would probably be easier than one 4x12, IMO. Grab one with each hand, put the head in a backpack, since it's a tiny Genz Benz.

[RickenBoogie]

You don't "lose anything" by raising the cab off the floor, until it gets raised pretty high. Floor coupling still exists at 3' up. Just sayin'.

[wcriley]

Originally Posted by DigthemLows

I'm not a fan of raising a cab, I feel like it looses something......

You're actually gaining something, not losing anything. You're hearing the mids better.

[DigthemLows]

guess we're getting off topic, easy to do I suppose.......from the responses I never really got info on if the amp would power the cab or not.............I'll go test it and let my ears tell me.........thanks guys and potentially gals...........see ya on the other side

[Sartori]

Er, why wouldn't it power the cab? It puts out 600 watts, the cab officially can handle a lot more than that. Provided you don't use extreme EQ (boosting lows all the way up, for example), it should work just fine.

[DigthemLows]

thanks

[SJan3]

Originally Posted by KJung

Cab wattage rating is a loose guide to maximum recommended wattage, and has nothing at all to do with 'how much wattage a cabinet needs to reach full volume.

The Shroe's are mid present in general, with a somewhat attenuated low end, which makes them sound loud per watt. So, zero issue. That would work fine. Unless you are on a real budget, get the Streamliner900.... the only reason to get the 600 IMO is budget (or if you always play moderate volume gigs with a small cab).

Ken, do you think the 600 watt unit would be preferable for low to mid volume gigs?
I'm wondering if you get more into the "meat" of the amp that way?? Sometimes I think that a high power unit doesn't really get to open up and "sing" if you're barely tapping it's power source.

[Sartori]

On a solid state power section, does it really matter what percentage of the amp's available power you're using as long as it's not clipping?

[DigthemLows]

Sartori, I feel like you're touching on why I asked the question..........I don't really understand watt for watt and when people start talking about efficiency vs. non efficient setups etc I get lost. I play out alot, I don't spend time tweaking on things, I don't practice enough, I just gig...........and so I haven't spent time testing various rigs, I find what I like and play it for a long time........so normally I see folks getting heads that are closely matched in power to cabs ......... I asked the question because I hoped to understand, not for people to ask why I bought a 4 ohm 212 or tell me to raise my current cab.......hehe, but I think I've had a local guy explain a little about how amps and speakers work and I'll be fine.........

[Sartori]

There are a lot of urban myths going around, though. Like "underpowering." There is also the idea that you have to get the maximum wattage from your amp by going to the lowest impedance it can do. This actually doesn't nearly make as much of a difference as people think. Increasing your speaker area can often make a bigger difference in perceived loudness.

The reason people have told you to raise your cab is because then it will be pointed near your ears, allowing you to hear yourself better. The reason I asked why you got a 4 ohm 2x12 is because, with two 8 ohm 2x12 cabs, you could stack them vertically, and thus not only get one closer to your ear level, but also get the best midrange and treble dispersion that you can, much better than a 4x12. However, if your head only goes down to 4 ohms, then your flexibility is much more limited.

[SJan3]

Originally Posted by Sartori

On a solid state power section, does it really matter what percentage of the amp's available power you're using as long as it's not clipping?

Well, I don't know. That's why I'm asking.