Benz Genz head compatibility with Ampeg Cab

[MJBoult]

Hi Bass folks
I have a Genz Benz Streamliner 900 head. Specs on back of head show 500watts/8 OHM 900watts/4 OHM. I have an Ampeg SVT-410HE cab specs show power handling 200 Watts in 8 OHMs. Does anyone know if this Genz Benz head is compatible with this Ampeg cab or will I blow the speakers if I use the head with this cab with due to OHMs?

 

[12bass]

It will work. Just mind the volume and listen for signs of speaker distress if you crank it up. There's nothing electronically incompatible. Note that Ampeg lists 500W power handling in the specifications for the SVT-410HE. Should be fine... Use your ears.

 

[Bodeeni]

Sure, just don’t push it.

 

[12bass]

Seems that older SVT-410HEs were rated at 200W RMS. So, that just means that you need to be a bit more careful with the volume. Listen for signs of speaker breakup and/or overexcursion and don't push too much low end. That combination will work fine as long as you don't overdrive the cabinet. The big question is how loud do you play? If not very loud, then no problem at all. If really loud, then you need to be careful not to damage the speakers.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Since you already have the cab, be careful with the volume and Bass knob not getting too deep.

If you were looking to purchase a cab, a higher power ratted one would be better.

 

[ezstep]

I was asked to "sit in" for a few months due to a medical issue, and the guy had the old Ampeg 4x10LF. I brought a GB Shuttle6.0 after the first time to give the cab more clarity. It works fine, but you cannot push the speakers. Just use common sense and your ears to know when to stop turning up the volume.

 

[HHudson]

It will work. Just mind the volume and listen for signs of speaker distress if you crank it up. There's nothing electronically incompatible. Note that Ampeg lists 500W power handling in the specifications for the SVT-410HE. Should be fine... Use your ears.

@MJBoult apparently has one of the older 1990's HE cabs, which are only rated 200w (4 Ohm speakers rated @ 50w each for that cab, 2 wired in series & then the pairs in parallel for the 8 Ohm load I suspect: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/ampeg-svt-410he-older-200-watt-version.1569300/ ). The current ones are 4 x 32 Ohm speakers in parallel = 8 Ohms according to the Ampeg wiring diagram (and with higher rated speakers for 500w rms total).

For home use or with a jazz trio you can use your ears, personally for a harder rock trio+ and loud drummer, I would not trust my ears with a 8 ohm 200w cab + the STM-900 ... but that is just [overcautious] me. The STM-900 puts out 500w into an 8 ohm load, has a lot of low end on tap and is often especially loved for its possible [boosted] hair.... unless the band is very disciplined & quite, 200w can be easily exceeded to keep up, more so if some grind and boosted low end on the Streamliner is dialed in....

If the speakers are 4 Ohm & the old HE cab were to be re-wired (easily) internally [and label it as such ] to have the 4 x 4 Ohm speakers in series = 16 Ohm, it would be a much closer/safer match for an STM-900 (amp = ~300w amp output @ 16 Ohms... still over the cab rating, but much closer)...

I rewired my NeoX 212Ts (stock 4 ohms = 2 x 8 Ohms in parallel, rated 600w rms per cab) internally to series for 16 Ohms for my Streamliner 900, one for the band practice room use (~300w amp output) and two for gigs (= 500w amp output @ 8 Ohms with the 2 x 16 Ohm cabs connected to the amp in parallel) when needed. Harder Rock/Punk/Metal & two gain happy guitarist to deal with in the mix here. You can also push the Streamliner output stage into output tube emulation this way at lower volumes as an added bonus if you wish: see https://www.talkbass.com/threads/ran-my-streamliner-at-16-ohms-tonight-a-revelation.1333627/

Even with 16 ohms, still keep an ear open... an STM-600 would be a perfect match with a 200w 16 Ohm cab (~200w amp output @ 16 Ohms and be able to add up to a ridiculous 3 x 16 Ohm cabs in parallel as needed to go higher up to the 4 Ohm minimum amp rating... ).

 

[agedhorse]

If the 410 is 8 ohms, the drivers have to be either 8 ohms wired series-parallel or 32 ohms wired in parallel.

It’s not a problem as long as you are careful. You may want to roll the bass eq off a bit too.

 

[Marko 1]

If playing with a loudish band, you may not hear the speakers stressing while trying to hear yourself.

I don't predict good things for this cab.

 

[HHudson]

If the 410 is 8 ohms, the drivers have to be either 8 ohms wired series-parallel or 32 ohms wired in parallel.

It’s not a problem as long as you are careful. You may want to roll the bass eq off a bit too.

@MJBoult sorry, brain fart on my part, I should not post when I'm tired, agedhorse is, as always, right... 8 Ohm speakers (or possibly 32 like the current HE), can't find an Ampeg diagram for the old HE. 4 x 8 Ohms would result in 32 Ohms if connected in series, not 16.... so forgetaboutit.

 

[shadven]

I love the Ampeg 410 HE cab. It’s plenty loud for gigs in a rock band.
You should have no problems.
Yes, potentially your head could overpower the cab, but use common sense and your ears you will have no problem.