Amps with Series speaker outputs?

Eden Nemesis.

I totally disagree with it being "much more versatile".

 

Very few amps have series outputs. The Nemesis combos are the only ones I've heard of recently.

Depending on the configuration of the combo (minimum impedance limit and its internal speaker), series may be the only way to go. In that case the series connection is the only way you can go.

I consider versatility to mean you have lots of options. In this case you wouldn't.

 

The versatility is that you can use the series output on the amp in additon to the parallel outputs on speaker cabinets to tailor different final loads. The HD-130 allows that because it also has an impedance selector to toggle between 4 and 8 ohms.

So, I could hook hook two 8-ohm cabinets together using the parallel jacks on the cabs, into one of the amp's jacks, and run another 4-ohm cabinet off the other amp jack, setting the transformer to 8 ohms. Or I could run the one -4 ohm box off the amp, etc.

I can see with the Nemesis combo that's not a useful option.

tje

 

The Ampeg B-15N has the two outputs wired in series.

 

The internal speaker is one and the External jack is the other. The external jack also switches to the 16Ω tap to compensate.

Paul

 

One possible reason is that the 3dB gain you get by adding drivers stops at 6dB due to acoustic cancellation effects. Point of diminishing returns, perhaps.

And combo amps tend to be marketed to players who generally aren't going to add cabs.

 

A series speaker connection option could be easly added to most any amp.

Here's a link to high quality Y-cord adaptor to obtain a series speaker connection with amp/cab-pairs using 1/4" jacks:
http://procablesnsound.com/items/sp...rt=0&Count_Class_1_623649=1999180#ITEM_623649


Here's one I built out of an old 1/4" speaker cord and a couple heavy-duty 1/4" speaker jacks:



The 1/4" series Y-cord speaker adaptor wiring is actually fairly simple, here's how its done:

The male 1/4" positive (tip) goes to the first female jacks positive terminal.
Then just loop that first female jacks negative terminal over to the second female jacks positive.
The second female jacks negative then connects to the male 1/4" ground. (sleeve)


(Just make sure you use quality speaker grade plugs/jacks and
use 16 gauge or preferably larger wire for higher powered amps)