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ampeg svt15E

cvanscott

cvanscott

Guest
Nov 30, 2011
19
3
Upstate NY
#1
Hi all. I have a question on the above mentioned cabinet. First off, I'm running an Ampeg SVT3PRO with an SVT410HE cab. I would like to add an SVT15E, but I'm unclear on it's power handling. The 410he is rated at 500 watts rms, the 15e only 200. Can I use this with the svt3pro even though it seems to be underpowered (svt3pro is rated at 450 watts at 4 ohms). It seems that people are running this cab with this amp, so maybe I'm not understanding it correctly. Any input on this would be appreciated.
 
#2
I have both of those cabs and I also have a 3Pro.


There are a few things to take into account, but to answer your question, yes, you CAN use that set up. Keep in mind that when you run your 3Pro into two 8 Ohm cabs, you're now running the amp @ 4 Ohms - and basically splitting that wattage between the cabs (450 watts = approx 225 each). But you're not necessarily putting a full 225 watts into each cab right off the bat. Tons of variables. Someone else will chime in and break it down for you with specifics, I'm not the most knowledgable when it comes to power handling VS "when will my cabinet actually blow up".

But short answer is yes - you can use that set up and you'll be fine unless you basically make a mission to cook the 15.

One thing I will mention though: those two cabinets together are not really an efficient set up. At any given power, the SVT 410HE will be swallowing the SVT 15E as far as volume goes. You might not even hear the 15 at all. So aside from the cool look, you literally might not gain a single thing by combining those cabinets.

And playing with non-matching cabs is a whole other bag of worms. Lots of potential issues, maybe a few benefits, etc etc. Some people will argue violently against it while others will fight tooth and nail for it. I'm not going to get into the pros and cons at this point, but please stand by.

**Edit - just wanted to also mention that there was a time I thought that was a good set up, and I didn't realize how poorly it worked until I used it on a large stage with a full band. So when I said it's not an efficient set up, that's just my opinion based on my own experience. As they say - YMMV.
 
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#3
jason the fox said:
I have both of those cabs and I also have a 3Pro.


There are a few things to take into account, but to answer your question, yes, you CAN use that set up. Keep in mind that when you run your 3Pro into two 8 Ohm cabs, you're now running the amp @ 4 Ohms - and basically splitting that wattage between the cabs (450 watts = approx 225 each). But you're not necessarily putting a full 225 watts into each cab right off the bat. Tons of variables. Someone else will chime in and break it down for you with specifics, I'm not the most knowledgable when it comes to power handling VS "when will my cabinet actually blow up".

But short answer is yes - you can use that set up and you'll be fine unless you basically make a mission to cook the 15.

One thing I will mention though: those two cabinets together are not really an efficient set up. At any given power, the SVT 410HE will be swallowing the SVT 15E as far as volume goes. You might not even hear the 15 at all. So aside from the cool look, you literally might not gain a single thing by combining those cabinets.

And playing with non-matching cabs is a whole other bag of worms. Lots of potential issues, maybe a few benefits, etc etc. Some people will argue violently against it while others will fight tooth and nail for it. I'm not going to get into the pros and cons at this point, but please stand by.

**Edit - just wanted to also mention that there was a time I thought that was a good set up, and I didn't realize how poorly it worked until I used it on a large stage with a full band. So when I said it's not an efficient set up, that's just my opinion based on my own experience. As they say - YMMV.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. That's interesting and valuable info. I guess I didn't know that playing with differen speaker combos could be a disadvantage. I was looking to add a little low end thump to my rig. So, would I gain anything from adding a second 410?
 
#4
,Common Misconception. A 15 inch speaker in a cab designed to go very low (Subwoofer) will give you some thump. But most run of the mill 15 cabs won't keep up volume wise with 410 Due mostly to their ability to move much more air. . And most 410's will thump as much or more than a 115 If they are properly designed. General thoughts are that it is better to add a second Identical cab than to mix and match cabs and speaker sizes. Adding the second 410 will have it's benefits, Are they worth it and how much of a benefit can be a crapshoot.
 
#6
Yes. You would gain loudness by adding a 410. You will be able to rupture spleens with sound. The frequencies we are talking about are sub-sonic so you only feel them. Often (usually) 410s will go lower than a fifteen so you already have the audible low end and will gain zero sub sonically from adding a fifteen and the potential problems that it may cause is reason enough to just add another 410 instead.

Speaker driver size should be selected for tone reasons. Bigger drivers don't mean lower freq's.
 
#7
96tbird said:
Yes. You would gain loudness by adding a 410. You will be able to rupture spleens with sound. The frequencies we are talking about are sub-sonic so you only feel them. Often (usually) 410s will go lower than a fifteen so you already have the audible low end and will gain zero sub sonically from adding a fifteen and the potential problems that it may cause is reason enough to just add another 410 instead.

Speaker driver size should be selected for tone reasons. Bigger drivers don't mean lower freq's.
Click to expand...

Driver size doesnt imply tone either.... ;)
 
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#8
Well, that is something. I'm thinking maybe getting a second 410 now, or maybe even staying with what I've got. Volume isn't really a problem in my practice space. Would pairing my 410he with a 410hlf be a bad choice as well and would this have any advantages, or should I stick with the same cabinet?
 
#9
cvanscott said:
Well, that is something. I'm thinking maybe getting a second 410 now, or maybe even staying with what I've got. Volume isn't really a problem in my practice space. Would pairing my 410he with a 410hlf be a bad choice as well and would this have any advantages, or should I stick with the same cabinet?
Click to expand...
One is a 4 ohm cabinet, the other is an 8 ohm cabinet. Your 3 Pro won't handle it.
 

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