500w amp - into 1000w cab? Underpowering question

[Gord]

Hi guys,
I have two Eden D410T cabinets, rated at about 540w RMS each. I'm looking to buy a Orange Bass Terror 500 watt bass amp. I'm wondering - would the 1000 watt version be better? I know underpowering cabinets is a problem, but I'm looking to get a nice gritty tone. If I had 1000 watts, wouldn't it be harder to get that tone at less than ridiculous levels? I know pushing that little guy at 500 watts would still be louder than I would ever need it, produce a great tone - but would it be killing my speakers to have them underpowered by almost half?

 

[funkinbottom]

Read this, though talking Eminence speakers (not sure what Eden uses) basically aplies to all speakers

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[greenboy]

This day alone the underpowering myth has probably been done 10 times. But since you are a 2004 newbie, and all, I've decided to point you at the FAQ ; } - just above here somewhere, where it can be easily missed.

 

[billfitzmaurice]

Read this, though talking Eminence speakers (not sure what Eden uses) basically aplies to all speakers

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That shows to go you that even those who should know better don't.
OP, read the FAQ.

 

[Bass_Pounder]

Will the myth ever die ?

 

[Bass_Pounder]

but would it be killing my speakers to have them underpowered by almost half?

Do your speaker cabs exlode when they are unplugged/not in use ?

 

[billfitzmaurice]

In Tony's defense he was referring to pro-sound, and in the case of a full range PA cab with tweeters it's not a bad rule to follow. But still....

 

[Selta]

Will the myth ever die ?

Nope.

 

[greenboy]

In Tony's defense he was referring to pro-sound, and in the case of a full range PA cab with tweeters it's not a bad rule to follow. But still....

That one's always bugged me, too.

 

[Gord]

:scowl: sorry guys, didn't even think of the FAQ. My mistake! I'll go correct my rookie mistake. Thank you!

 

[greenboy]

I'll save you the trouble. Do your home entertainment speakers break when you have your stuff turned off? How about when it is turned down low to keep the peace at home?

No to both? Then obviously underpowering is a myth.

 

[Eric Moesle]

Help! My speakers worked fine when my amp was cranked, but once I turned down my volume and played softly . . . . BAM . . . they blew!!!!!

(That was sarcasm, please take it as such.)

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Will the myth ever die ?

Apparently not.

Will new TB readers EVER read a sticky?

Apparently not.

 

[panama]

I know matching ohms is important, but matching watts? GETOUTTAHEEAHHH

 

[billfitzmaurice]

I'll save you the trouble. Do your home entertainment speakers break when you have your stuff turned off? How about when it is turned down low to keep the peace at home?.

That's going overboard. We know that the source of the myth has to do with the potential for clipping a low powered amp, and that clipping can and does result in toasted tweeters by overpowering them. And we know that clipping in and of itself doesn't bother woofers, unless said clipping is the result of pushing the amp to output levels far higher than it's rated for and therefore toasting the woofers by overpowering them. The least we can do is give posters the correct answer... after busting balls for not reading the freaking FAQ, that is.

 

[Selta]

Ah, Bill, you have a way with words that just works

 

[JimmyM]

also, bear in mind that the double the wattage thing is done by audio professionals, not dopey kids looking to put 1000w into a 112.

edit: not saying the op is a dopey kid.

 

[billfitzmaurice]

Actually the OP did have an overlooked point, wanting to use a lower powered amp to get a gritty tone at moderate levels. But the difference between the grit of a 500 versus 1,000 w amp is slight in any event. If grit is the goal I'd be looking at even less power.

 

[Gord]

If by "overlooked" you mean "people read the title, and **** all over me" - you're right! I did learn a bit about the underpowering myth, but I also read a bit more about the amp and learned that it's basically gritty from any point after the absolute minimum on the gain pot. So, I ended up getting the answer I needed and learned a bit about a weird myth. thanks!

edit - interesting that the underpowering thing seems to be more widespread than the "it's not true!" thing. I wonder how that concept became so popular, but I'm glad I know that it's not true.

 

[greenboy]

Yeah, Tom Bowlus has said the amp basically rocks at any level, can be nasty in a way that most of its contemporaries cannot be.