Adding a 610 cab to a 210 combo?...

[theFALLEN]

Hi guys,

Searched through the amplification forum to see if this question had already been addressed but didn't find anything, if it already has then please be gentle....

Basically, I am wondering if you guys from your experience could advise me as to the best course of action as to upgrading my rig which DESPERATELY needs to happen.

I am currently playing in an Avenged Sevenfold/Killswitch Engage esq. band in the Uk through an Ashdown 500 ABM EVO III 210 Combo. I am wanting to upgrade my equipment with the aim of getting more headroom and a much "larger" powerful sound.

I was investigating adding a 610 quality cabinet such as : http://www.electromusic.co.uk/Ashdown-USA-610.html

However, I am not sure if this will achieve my aims...

Can anyone advise if they think this will be effective?

EDIT: I realise that purchasing a more powerful head/bigger cabinet would achieve this from the offset however I am wanting to explore the possibility of the 610 cab to minimize costs.

Thanks guys.

 

[billfitzmaurice]

The problem lies in impedance matching. For your combo and extension speakers to have a good power balance they would need a 3:1 impedance ratio, so if the 210 is 8 ohms you'd want a 2.7 ohm 610, assuming you can find a 2.7 ohm 610. A four ohm 410 would also match well. This all assumes that your current speaker set is 8 ohms and that the amp can handle a 2 ohm load.

 

[waleross]

You're in the UK ? So things are a little different product wise. still, If I were you consider keeping your combo amp for practice and maybe upgrade to a head as well.The Ashdown cab looks real nice! I went on the site you linked and was viewing the Ashdown heads (looks nice) ...how about Ashdown Labs Little Giant 1000?
I don't know prices across the pond but I prefer Ampeg such as the svt4Pro and their cabs but its your call...good luck

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

If you have ~£850 to throw away, I'd stay looking elsewhere mate.

I've seen a '69 SVT and '72 Ampeg 810 (both in good condition) go for £750 on ebay. Marshall VBA400 and VBC412 cab go for £500.

My current setup (Ampeg SVT-II and Marshall 810 cab) cost me ~£800-£850.

Basically I'm trying to say you could get a damned good setup for that price. Look used, get a head and cab setup, keep the combo if you want for smaller requirements.

I also wouldn't say that 610 is a good way of minimizing costs

EDIT:

Also, could be worth while having a shop around. A lot of good bass stuff out there, Ampeg, Peavey, Trace Elliot, Marshall & Orange are all pretty big sellers over here.

 

[honestjohnny]

Cheapest would be to get an Ashdown EVO ABM 210 8 ohm cab. That would get the full 500 watts from your combo and give you more speaker surface area. Your combo's only good for 4 ohms, so that's the best you can do with it. If you need more than that you need to look at larger cabs and heads or a better PA. Good luck.

 

[jamzcl]

I've run my Ampeg BA500 into my 610HLF and I think it sounds awesome.

The BA500 can take a 4 ohm extension cab -- it's then getting the full 500 watts into eight 10" speakers.

I wouldn't use this setup very often...only local gigs that don't have PA assistance.

 

[BrettTheThreat]

The problem lies in impedance matching. For your combo and extension speakers to have a good power balance they would need a 3:1 impedance ratio, so if the 210 is 8 ohms you'd want a 2.7 ohm 610, assuming you can find a 2.7 ohm 610. A four ohm 410 would also match well. This all assumes that your current speaker set is 8 ohms and that the amp can handle a 2 ohm load.

Newb alert: How do you work out this ratio? Since you need equal power going to each driver, I guess you'll need one-third the impedance in a 6x10? As opposed to half for a 4x10?

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Newb alert: How do you work out this ratio? Since you need equal power going to each driver, I guess you'll need one-third the impedance in a 6x10? As opposed to half for a 4x10?

As far as I read it, you've answered your own question!

You have 3 times as many speakers in the 2x10 as the 6x10. So for each driver to be getting an equal share of the power, you'd need 1/4 to go to the 210 and 3/4 to go to the 6x10. To get 3 times more power going to the 610 than the 210.