2ohm head

[jjl5590]

Hi,
I have three 8ohm 2x10 cabs that i would like to combine to make a 6x10 running at 2.66ohms. I am not sure what is a good amp to use as i have only really used amps with 4ohm minimum.
I'm not looking to spend anything more than about $600

many thanks for your imput

 

[Bassenstien]

Mabey try Carvin. Cheap and all the ones I have used sound good.

 

[Lowbrow]

I have experience with two affordable 2-ohm heads:

Carvin B800 - built like a tank, but seems underpowered for its stated 800 watts @ 2 ohms. Tone is a little murky, and would benefit from a true gain control as opposed to the "drive" knob that's supposed to add some dirt. Discontinued, but pops up from time-to-time on the TB classifieds under $500.

Acoustic B600H - LOUD for its rated 600W @ 2 ohms, and I can't say enough about how great its tone stack and gain control sound. Cheaper built than the Carvin, but if you're not touring heavy, it's not an issue - especially at $499 new with a 3-year warranty.

 

[stflbn]

Genz Benz Neo-Pak 3.5 500w at 2ohm. 8.5lbs.


.

 

[mrkreuzschlitz]

If you like your tone now, just get a 2 ohm capable power amp.

 

[Mystic Michael]

How much power do you want/need? I would also recommend Carvin, but probably not the B800. Get the B1500 instead. Guaranteed to give you plenty of boom for the room.

Don't know if these are generally available in the UK, but I think Carvin has a British distributor, if I'm not mistaken. Go to their website and check it out...

If you really can't spend a bit over $600, see if you can find a B1500 used.

MM

 

[jjl5590]

hi,
thanks for the replies,

sorry i forgot to mention that it needs to be at least 500W, and have a speakon output.

 

[cdawzrd]

Get a power amp, then.

QSC PLX 1202 does 2x600w @ 2 ohms, and is ~$600 new

 

[Bass_Pounder]

I'll make another recommendation for the Carvin B1500

You can easily find one for under $600 used.

2 speakon connections + four 1/4 outputs.

Plenty of power and connectivity for any situation.

 

[GSPLBASSDC]

I use a Kustom Groovebass 1200.

Great amp and get 1200 watts at 2 ohms. Reminds my quite a bit of a Mesa Boogie (but solid state, though).

It was about $600 brand new a couple of years ago, and I expect you can get one now for $400 or so used since I don't think they make them any longer.

 

[bfc]

Mabey try Carvin. Cheap and all the ones I have used sound good.

+1...Carvin all the way!

 

[jjl5590]

lol that Carvin looks great but it's too powerful for me and my cabs! they are rated at 300W (400W max), and i dont wanna strain them.

I like the power amp idea, but will i then also need to buy a preamp?

cheers for your help

 

[cdawzrd]

lol that Carvin looks great but it's too powerful for me and my cabs! they are rated at 300W (400W max), and i dont wanna strain them.

I like the power amp idea, but will i then also need to buy a preamp?

cheers for your help

What's your current amp? Also, just because the Carvin has that much power doesn't mean you have to use it (volume knob?)

 

[GSPLBASSDC]

Right... always a good idea to have plenty of headroom to avoid hissing and straining of your gear...

 

[Blues Cat]

I would say raise your budget a few dollars and get a B1500 which will run all day long @ 2ohms in the hot Tx sun.

 

[kesslari]

+1 on the Genz Benz Neopak

 

[Thangfish]

lol that Carvin looks great but it's too powerful for me and my cabs! they are rated at 300W (400W max), and i dont wanna strain them.

No it isn't.

The Carvin B1500 should be providing roughly 500w (at the very most, probably less) per cabinet in the configuration you specify. There probably is no other *head* more perfectly matched to all the requirements you mentioned in this thread, so far.

Bass Gear Magazine measurements state the the head doesn't quite live up to it's rated specs, apparently due to line voltage sag.

Anyway, the "strain" is in the user, not the head.

Here is some more info for your research:

The Dude's 2Ω Bass Head List

I use a B1500 to power 4 Acme 2x10 8Ω cabs. They are rated at about 350w. No big deal. Amp doesn't appear to be pushing overly hard or overheating at all.

 

[jasper383]

The Hartke LH1000 will run at 2 Ohms. $649 new, can probably find one used for quite a bit less.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

Carvin BX1200. Can run 2ohms per side stereo.

 

[fishtx]

The Genz Benz 1200 would rock that stack...