500 vs 900 watts

[DirkP]

I repost this from time to time. There are white noise sound clips that show the difference 1 dB makes and 3 dB makes, also 1/2 a dB.

Even at headphone volumes I think you’ll find that 1 dB is just noticeable, while 3 dB is obviously different. 1/2 a dB is freaky b/c each step is not readily noticeable but you do realize by the end that it is a louder.

dB: What is a decibel?

This is exactly what is stated in my quote:
(bareley) "GREATER than the ability of the human ear to detect a difference"

I know mixers and tone engineers that can hear a difference of 1 db, simply because they are trained and work with slightest differences in volume. I can't. If a mixer or I myself make an instrument in the mix 1 db louder I wouldn't recognize a difference hearing the entire mix in comparision to the previous mix. Maybe I would prefer one mix over the other but I couldn't describe the difference. Maybe others have better ear, but even more so training.

 

[Steve Dallman]

I have a PF-500 and a PF-800. I set up outside an could switch the speakon cable between the amps pretty quickly.

With the same settings sounded identical until I got the Master up to around 2:00. At 3:00 the 500 tone changed, dirtier, limited and sort of struggling. At 3-4:00 the 800 sound did not change but just got louder. I didn’t go higher for concern for my speakers and neighbors.

 

[HolmeBass]

This is exactly what is stated in my quote:
(bareley) "GREATER than the ability of the human ear to detect a difference"

I know mixers and tone engineers that can hear a difference of 1 db, simply because they are trained and work with slightest differences in volume. I can't. If a mixer or I myself make an instrument in the mix 1 db louder I wouldn't recognize a difference hearing the entire mix in comparision to the previous mix. Maybe I would prefer one mix over the other but I couldn't describe the difference. Maybe others have better ear, but even more so training.

Did you hear the difference in the sound samples on the page I linked?

It’s really the “barely” I disagree with when describing a 3dB difference. I don’t think you can get a decent mix if you only make +/-3dB or greater changes in the levels of the various instruments you are mixing.

 

[DirkP]

Did you hear the difference in the sound samples on the page I linked?

It’s really the “barely” I disagree with when describing a 3dB difference. I don’t think you can get a decent mix if you only make +/-3dB or greater changes in the levels of the various instruments you are mixing.

Totally agree. This is why I leave mixing to the Pros and only do demos. The 3 db more or less in my initial post related to musicians asking the PA guy to turn an instrument up or down a bit on the monitors, what our drummer/studied tone engineer translated with 3 db more or 3 db less

 

[Aussie Player]

Depends on the music you make. I have never run into problems with 500 watt but I play mostly soul or alternative music. If you rival a ton of marshall amps, it might be different. I never went past 10:00 on my amp and got enough complains about the bass being too loud
Never forget: do get double the volume of 500 watt you'd need about 5000 watt.

quote:
"If you compare the maximum volume of a 50-watt amplifier with a 100-watt amplifier, the difference is only 3 dB, barely greater than the ability of the human ear to detect a difference. It would take an amplifier with 10 times more power (500 watts) to be perceived as being twice as loud—a 10 dB increase.


Keep this in mind when purchasing an amplifier or receiver"
https://www.lifewire.com/loudness-and-amp-power-3135081

The efficiency of the speakers, the number of speakers, the compression might have a far greater influence on the perceived loudness than doubling the watts.

On most stages your amp only serves as a monitor and the PA delivers the sound for the audience, the less stage volume is there, the better the PA people can mix. Do yourself, the other musicians and the PA guys including the audience a favor and put the speaker close to you, get a stand that allows you to direct it at you and just get the volume you need to feel good and play good, but not more.
Not to mention what you do to your hearing and the hearing of the other musicians if you are standing close to a 500 Watt amp and a speaker running at full RMS volume. You might need a 20000000 watt amp a few years later.

Good advice here. Speakers make the difference and also the Ohms of those boxes. I have found that an amp designed to run low, say 4 Ohms or 2 Ohms runs best at those levels, clearer, more punch and note definition. I like most of my amps to use a 4 Ohm box for the best tone and sound.

 

[Steve J]

Hello, I imagine this topic comes up a lot, but I’ll ask anyway. I’m looking at two bass heads, and there is a 500 and 900 watt option. Realistically, what type of scenario would require the extra headroom of the 900 watt head? Or is it more about being able to drive multiple cabinets? Or both? I’m a fairly new player so I’m not as experienced with these things. Thanks!

I own two bass heads....a 90’s vintage Ampeg 350 watt and a Hartke LH1000. They cover all the bases.