Best way to use 3 cabs

[JACink]

I build a speaker series patch box just for this problem. It will allow you to use three or four 8 ohm speaker cabinets and it puts an 8 ohm load on the amp - that is an example- it could be 4 ohm cabs or a mixture. It uses the same method as wiring individual drivers/speakers within a speaker cabinet except it is wiring the Speaker CABINETS in series. its a very simple box and I am trying to sell them on local craigslist- but no one understands what they are I guess. I use them all the time for my bands PA system. Perfect for using (4) 8 ohm monitors on the single 4 ohm minimum monitor out on an powered mixer amp.
If you all think I can sell them here I will. its not really profitable- i sell them for $35. and parts cost me nearly 20 bucks

I think you had better check the rules before trying to sell things here, just in case.

Also, how are you balancing the loads? I mean, is it a universal box or specifically made to suit the specific drivers/cabs that each user would like to use?

If you could share more details on how these work before people plug them into their amp, it would be good. But as I said, check the forum rules first!

 

[iriegnome]

Ok. I am way to tire to absorb all of this thread, but here is my confused 2 cents worth. I use a SWR Bass 750 into a 112, 212 and 112 cab. All 8Ohm cabs. 2.67Ohm load. Kills it. Sounds incredible. Best tone I have ever had and LOVE IT!!! I have played everywhere with it. Venues all the way to Alpine Valley. The very best rig ever (IMHO) for me. I have to take a break and get some sleep, but I will read the whole thread and get back with you all..

 

[soundguy]

Can you slave another small power amp off of the rig to run the 210 or 2x 112 cabs ? Then you can offset the levels too . I used to run a crown K2 one side for 210 and other for a 410 or at most times a 410 on each channel for a 810 stack . I would back one channel back a bit for th 210 when running a 210/410 rig . I know there are many better small amp options now .

 

[iriegnome]

Oh, All my 12's (4 total) match, I use a Schroeder Mini 12, Schroeder 1212 and a SWR Bass Monitor (with the speaker changed to match the Schroeders).

 

[slade]

BTW- Once and for all PLEASE lets not go there again.

And BTW, I spoke to Dave from Aguilar, he said that mixing cabs is totally cool, common and works great more often then not, and that the only "Scientific" caveat is the difference in speaker sensitivity, but if you don't get a phase cancellation then your all good and all the "rules" makes him lough...
Thats from the designer himself who do this for a living, and who's gear most "don't mix" gurus use to begin with..

My comment: Phase cancellation is basic eq, for people who know how eq works... so even if it creates a certain phase cancellation, if you like that curve then its like using an eq- dont you use an eq..?

.

Can we put an end to this stupid debate? Im not here for that, im here for something else.

Play what you dig bro!!!

 

[Rea]

right on! thanks for all the feedback re: amping 3 x 8ohm cabs

 

[Stick_Player]

OP, you can make a TWO cabinet series cable. It'll taking some thinking through. But, you can turn those two 1x12 cabinets into a 16-Ohm load. Plug this "special" cable into one of the amp speaker outs. Plug the 2x10 8-Ohm cab into the the other amp speaker out. You'll create a 5.33 total Ohm load.

Handy impedance calculator: RESULTS

I believe munjibunga posted this "special" cable.

 

[SunnBass]

Best way to use 3 cabs...

Very loudly.

 

[Rea]

OP, you can make a TWO cabinet series cable. It'll taking some thinking through. But, you can turn those two 1x12 cabinets into a 16-Ohm load. Plug this "special" cable into one of the amp speaker outs. Plug the 2x10 8-Ohm cab into the the other amp speaker out. You'll create a 5.33 total Ohm load.

Handy impedance calculator: RESULTS

I believe munjibunga posted this "special" cable.

yeha, thats one of the option i was asking about in the OP... Ill look into it

 

[Stick_Player]

yeha, thats one of the option i was asking about in the OP... Ill look into it

Or get the speaker series patch box that BassMan99 has.

 

[BassmanPaul]

I'd be interested in how you connect THREE 8Ω cabinets to make an 8Ω load.

 

[BassMan99]

Here is a simple wiring diagram for a series patch box. you MUST use a non conductive box. and you MUST use both output jacks. this will work with three or four cabinets. It is not magic. it works and its simply wiring speaker cabs in series. you just need three mono 1/4" jacks and a non conductive box. rad shack has them. If you understand how wiring speakers in series vs parallel you will understand how this works. you can use three or four 8 ohm cabs and it will put an 8 ohm load on the amp. same with three or four 4 ohm cabs and it will put a 4 ohm load on the amp. you will go from each out of the patch box to one or two cabs - daisy chained. You could make these with speakon/neutric connectors I imagine. I have not done that.

 

[Rea]

What do you mean daisy chained? isnt the idea that each cab goes to a different out in the box to get the Series thing going...?

 

[BassMan99]

OK so out 1 to cab A - then daisy chain from A to B. Out 2 to cab C - and if you want daisy chain to cab D. actually I think you could use just two cabs - like 2 x 4 ohm cabs and that will be a 4 ohm load on the amp. OK ?

 

[Rea]

Wait- i thought you were the knowledgable.. im confused.. dont ask me or the amp will explode...

 

[Jim Carr]

Because i want the sound of a 210 with my 12's

I understand. Yet, since your current head is 4 ohms on up, how do you know it will be what you want? I must have missed this.

...Accounting for the EQ differences between cabs could be done with a 2 channel power amp and a pair of preamps...

Over the last 15 years, using these heads: SWR 350 silver face, Shuttle 6.0, Crest CA6—which is a magnificent 2-channel power amp, as you probably know—GK MB800, and an M9, I have mixed diverse cabs including SWR goliath jr, III 210 + WM 115, SWR goliath jr. III 210 + sob 115, SWR goliath II 410 + sob 115, SWR goliath II 410 + Epifani t-210, Epifani t-210 + SWR sob 115, Epifani UL1 410 4 ohm + 8 ohm t-210, UL1 410 4 ohm + 8 ohm UL1 210, Epifani UL1 210 + t-210.

IME, I got the best results with the UL1 410 4 ohm + 8 ohm UL1 210 with a one channel 2 ohm capable head (M9).

FWIW, with the Epifani t-210 + SWR sob 115, Epifani UL1 410 4 ohm + 8 ohm t-210, Epifani UL1 210 + t-210 worked best using a two channel amp. The SWR goliath jr, III 210 + WM 115 was very problematic, as was the SWR goliath II 410 + sob 115.

My take away is that mixing is better with two channels. You can balance them, which of course manages the way they EQ together.
Good luck.

 

[Jim Carr]

Play what you dig bro!!!

Of course!

 

[Scottkarch]

His daisy chain/series box is correct to plug your 2 x 8 ohm speakers in series.
Here is how a series cable would look.. It does the same thing as the box, but with one cable. As with the box, both speaker plugs need to be used since the power goes in series through both speakers.. adding their impedance. So with 2x8ohm speakers in series, you'd get a 16 Ohm load. The box would just allow you to use regular speaker cables to connect the speakers.

 

[Jim Carr]

Don't even go there: http://www.talkbass.com/threads/112-210-vs-112-112.1121215/page-6#post-16721518

Thanks for this. Go know.

 

[Scottkarch]

Here is a quick drawing of the box... if you follow the wiring, it works the same way... power from the amp goes to a jack with 2 leads... one goes to the first speaker jack, then from that to the second jack.. then from that jack back to the original amp jack... all in series.