Would 2 Big Ben's be to much for my 350X?

hdracer · #1 03-30-2010, 10:57 AM

I have a chance to pick up 2 SWR Big Ben 1x18 cabs for a very good price. They are 8 ohm 400 watt cabs. I am currently using a 2x12 4 ohm cab. Is my amp underpowered to run these? The head is rated at 350 watts @ 4 ohm.

chaosMK · #2 03-30-2010, 11:33 AM

Sounds fun. If you are really going for a punchier subwoofer sound, you might want more like 600-1000w @ 4-ohms. Honestly, 2x18 probably wont be the most articulate rig, but it could be monstrous in a big enough room.

PSPookie · #3 03-30-2010, 11:35 AM

I don't see any problem there. FYI "underpowering" is a myth.

hdracer · #4 03-30-2010, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

I don't see any problem there. FYI "underpowering" is a myth.

I have read so much about under powering cabs. I doesn't make sense. He has a Henry 8x8 too, but it is 4 ohm. I would like to get it too and run one 18 and the 8x8 but I don't think my amp would like that.

T. Alan Smith · #5 03-30-2010, 11:57 AM

I used to run a 350 head with a SOB & Goliath Jr III. You'll be fine with a pair of 18's. As mentioned, the 350 doesn't provide much headroom, so you really need to push a lot of air if you want to get heard in a dense rock mix. I didn't know the Big Ben was 8 ohms.

orlando123 · #6 03-30-2010, 02:04 PM

Wow the Henry 8x8 and the Big Ben sounds great to me. You should have enough power. I'm useing a Big Ben and a Goliath III with 307 watts. You should be okay but two Big Ben's is quite a bit of low end without the highs to compensate for articulation.

Crabby · #7 03-30-2010, 02:25 PM

I would jump all over the 8x8 if its for sale. That is the only cab you will need. Its 4 ohms, efficient and loud as hell. I had a pair of them for years but only ever needed one. We played some big rooms with no pa support and the 8x8 was more then enough to pound the room with bass. One of the coolest cabs ever!

babebambi · #8 03-30-2010, 05:27 PM

I think the older BigBen's are 300 watt. They are surprisingly articulate for such a big speaker, I'd say on par with the average 15" loaded cab without tweeter. Lots of hi-mid and lo-treble to work with, as long as you are not standing too far off to the side. Naturally, there will be no sizzle with no tweeter.

They are not the most efficient speakers but they are not horrible either. If you are pushing enough volume with your setup into a 212 at 4 ohm, you will be fine with the pair of BigBen. I think you should be able to gain some volume and lots more bottom.

A pair of BigBen CAN take more power than 350 watt at 4 ohm, but that doesn't mean that they NEED the power to sound good.

I would stick with one speaker size (actually, identical cab design), unless you are bi-amping or doing the mufti-channel thing.

BigOldHarry · #9 03-30-2010, 05:32 PM

I dunno... Given that SWRs are notoriously over-rated power-wise (yes, I've owned more than one), I'm thinking your 350 will be pushed to its limite...

And are these the only cabs you'd be using? Two 1x18"s are going to sound rather... well, mushy, if you ask me...