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Ampeg PF-350 Question

jaxstarke

jaxstarke

Nov 6, 2010
401
82
Beckley, WV
#1
This head is on the top of my list at the moment and I had planned on using a 400 watt 4x10 cab rated at 8 ohms and a 200 watt 1x15 cab also at 8 ohms. What I'm worried about is the 15 only being rated at 200 watts. Would I run the risk of blowing the speaker in that cab?
 
#2
If you plan to hear anything from the 410 I'd say there is a good likely hoos of blowing out your 15. This is why mixing is not recommended around here. Mix cabs with your ears, not eyes.

I loaned a friend my 410hlf for a pinkfkoyd concert gig. His first comment after seeing the rig was that I really should add a 15. (Facepalm)!
 
#4
If the two cabs are run in parallel the power will be divided more or less evenly, so 175w each. Although the 1x15 would appear to be 'safe' with its 200w rating it will be possible to to damage it. The 200w is the thermal rating for the voice coil. There is also an excursion limit (which is almost never given by cab makers) which is typically 40-60% of the thermal rating for average quality drivers. The 200w 1x15 probably is excursion limited to 80-120w. Those excursion watts are the ones delivering tones mostly below 80Hz - the fundamentals of the lower notes. If you are playing loudly (the amp is just starting to distort) and with a lot of deep bass the pf350 will be able to overdrive the 1x15. However, if you pay attention and just turn it down (or cut the bass a little) if you hear distortion (from the 1x15) you should do just fine with that setup. OTOH, if you do blow the 1x15 its a great opportunity to upgrade the 15 inch driver. :-)
 
#5
I have to buy them all separate online so there's no chance of trying them out first. I could go with a 2x10 with the same wattage and same price instead of the 1x15 but in my feeble mind that kind of defeats the purpose of the 1x15. Or, I could get just 2 1x15's instead of the 4x10 but they're 200 watts a piece. A little lower than what the amp is rated for.
 
#8
The concensus on here seems to be 4x10+1x15 is bad but I used that sett up for a long time and never had anything go wrong with anyy of my gear. That being said, if I were to buy a new gigging rig I would probably go with a 2x10+1x15 rig. It'll give you the same flexibility but with less bulk and likely less cost.

Just my .02
 
#10
jaxstarke said:
I have to buy them all separate online so there's no chance of trying them out first. I could go with a 2x10 with the same wattage and same price instead of the 1x15 but in my feeble mind that kind of defeats the purpose of the 1x15. Or, I could get just 2 1x15's instead of the 4x10 but they're 200 watts a piece. A little lower than what the amp is rated for.
Click to expand...

And just what is the "purpose" for the 1X15 ?

You do realize that 1X15's DO NOT really go any lower or louder then a 4X10, right ?
 
#11
jaxstarke said:
This head is on the top of my list at the moment and I had planned on using a 400 watt 4x10 cab rated at 8 ohms and a 200 watt 1x15 cab also at 8 ohms. What I'm worried about is the 15 only being rated at 200 watts. Would I run the risk of blowing the speaker in that cab?
Click to expand...

Please don't do this. The pairing really doesn't work that well despite it's "popularity". The 1x15 cannot keep up with the 4x10 in any regard. It will be a constant weak point in your system and WILL be easily damaged. This subject comes up every few days. Do a search and all your questions will be answered.
 
#12
Well, after doing some yard work and thinking about it and from what I've read here I believe I'll just go with the 400 watt 4x10 for now with that head. I think I just let the possibilities get to my brain there for a little while this morning. Thanks for all your answers and suggestions.
 
#13
jaxstarke,

You have inadvertently wondered into a TB mine field. Mixing different size drivers (like a 4x10 and a 1x15) is generally assumed to result in poor tone. The theory is that more or less random variations in amplitude and phase response, and in dispersion will yield a combined (blended) sound field with poor tone and dispersion characteristics. This should also be true for blending 'different' drivers (even of the same size, like different 15's) because these performance variations are not related to driver size. Two different 10's could sound as good or bad as a 10 and a 15.

The assumption that the result of blending different drivers is always negative (in terms of performance and tone) should be tempered to 'unpredictable'. That is, blending different drivers with more or less random variations in amplitude and phase response, and in dispersion will yield a result that is unpredictable, and is different than either of the two drivers alone. These variations, even for single drivers, may cause changes in tone characteristics like punch, growl and presence.

The only way to determine the result of blending different drivers (or cabs) is to try them. If auditioning is not possible it is best to combine the same drivers or cabs, as you will simply get more of the same (gets a bit more complicated with multiway cabs and those with asymmetrical driver layout). OTOH, it is generally true (for cabs with similar sensitivity) that blending a cab that is dull and bass heavy with a cab that is thin (lacks deep bass) but has excellent mids and highs will likely result in sound that is better balanced than either of the cabs alone (although the sound may still not be what you were aiming for).
 
#14
If you're talking Ampeg cabs with the PF350, you'll run little risk of blowing either of the cabs mentioned in your first post. It'll put out 175w to each cab, and if it's the SVT 115e you're referring to, 200w is fartout volume and it'll take a good bit more than that to blow the voice coil. The Ampeg Classic line of cabs is all rated for when you get fartout instead of when the voice coils blow.

But I admit to not being a fan of mixing cabs, too, and I think your plan of starting with a single 410 is a good one. The PF350 ain't quiet with a single 410.
 

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