Ampeg 200w RMS/ 400w Program? What does this mean?

[PeteyWheatstraw]

Hi there folks,
Can someone please explain to me what this means 200watt RMS/400watt Program?
Is the cab rated at 200 watts only?
I currently have an Ampeg SVT410HE and want to get a SVT15E, I have a 300watt head and am a bit concerned that the speaker might not be able to cope with it?
Having said this, I see the pair together alot, so it must be ok, right?
Also whats the difference between an SVT15EN and an SVT15E?
Thanks
Petey

 

[UncleFluffy]

RMS stands for "Really. Marketing people Suck"

 

[UncleFluffy]

Slightly more complete answer:

The RMS rating is what the cab can take continually without the speakers melting. As you very rarely run a cab at full the marketing people have a "program" number which is what they rate the cab at if you're not running it full on.

It's safe to go over RMS occasionally, but don't plan on doing it 24/7.

 

[bassmodder]

Best I can say

RMS is 70% of the peak power. A continuous rating of power at a given frequency.

Program- "typical" operating power that "should" not harm the cab. Also called music power.

 

[Jerrold Tiers]

Actually, "rms-based" power is half of peak power. "Program power" is anything the company says it is. We always doubled the "rms" to get program, which is apparently still what Loud does.

We based the 'rms" on the power capability of the speakers as given by the driver manufacturer. We also power tested the cabs to be sure.

Program power handling is sort of an average power that takes into account the fact that you don't use full power except for short bursts

And as a rule you can usse an amp of double the "RMS power", even 3X with care.

if you like to boost lows, and play hard and loud, stay closer to "rms power".

if you are going to use the pair, you'll split the power between them, so you should be very safe. Both are 8 ohms, so your amp will be capable of 300 @ 4 ohms, I assume.

In that case, it won't put much over 150W into either alone. Again, very safe.

 

[miceli]

So if I have an ampeg svt350H head, will it power a peavy 1810 cab and an ampeg B4X10HE cab good enough?

Just wondering and appreciate the help.

 

[fenderhutz]

That peavey cab is 4 ohms isn't it?

You can't run those two cabs together into that head. You will effectively running a 2.67 ohm load which that amp is not rated to run at.

It might make noise for a while until it burns it up.

In you situation it would probably be louder just to use the Peavey. The best answer would be to get a 15 or something 8ohm (if you ampeg cab is 8ohm) and just stack them.

Personally those 350H heads had a hard time just powering an ampeg classic 210 and ampeg classic 115 when that was my setup. They don't sound like they put out even close to 400 watts. Neither did the Ampeg B2 they based that off of.

 

[billfitzmaurice]

Hi there folks,
Can someone please explain to me what this means 200watt RMS/400watt Program?

RMS is what engineers use. Program, Peak, Peak Program, Music Power, and my personal favorite, Peak Program Music Power, is what marketing departments use.

I currently have an Ampeg SVT410HE and want to get a SVT15E, I have a 300watt head and am a bit concerned that the speaker might not be able to cope with it?

The speaker power rating is moot anyway, as few will take more than half their rating before farting out. When that happens turn the amp down. Some guys prefer a 2:1 or more speaker to amp power ratio so that they're unlikely to push the drivers too hard, some prefer a 2:1 or more amp to speaker power ratio so they don't push the amp too hard. Real world, there is no ratio of amp to speaker power that works best. But more often than not if you're not getting loud enough you don't have adequate speaker count.

 

[miceli]

Thanks for the replies.
Just having trouble finding a better solution here.
The head works okay with the cab, but want more mids and highs and thought this cab connected would do the trick. Plus save me some cash. Hate to have to buy a new head too.

Thanks again.