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Bi-amp

tom dicus

tom dicus

May 17, 2017
668
1,009
63
Wasilla, AK USA
Disclosures
i suck at bass but will never give up
#1
I' going to do the best I can at explaining my dilemma.
I have a Peavey 1516 can.
It has 2 inputs in the back for full range and 2 inputs for bi-amp, hi and lo.
I have been using the left full range input since I got it umpteen gillion years ago.
It' been fine.
I just replaced the speakers.
The 15", 4ohm BW was replaced with a 15", 4ohm Eminence. The 2-8", 8ohm Peaveys were replaced with 2-8", 8ohm Celestians.
Now I must use the bi-amp side. One cord to the lo and one cord to the high.
I can no longer use the full range side to get all three speakers. Only the 8" come through using either of the 2 full range inputs!
Why or how could this happen?????
I did nothing but replace the speakers.
Also, is it ok to use both channels on my Ampeg SVT7PRO for this one 4ohm cab???
I'm perplexed!
Help me!
 
#4
BassmanPaul said:
You problem could be caused by corroded switch contacts on the various input jacks.
Click to expand...
Seems likely. Also could have pulled (maybe an already loose) wire from a push on connector, away from the speaker, or one may have come off inserting the speaker in the hole if front loaded.
tom dicus said:
Also, is it ok to use both channels on my Ampeg SVT7PRO for this one 4ohm cab???
Click to expand...
Not familiar with that amp, lookup the connections in the manual, or post a link to the manual if it's not clear. Generally, no, not to a standard single input. With a speaker with biamp inputs, it's made for two separate amps or channels, but verify in the manual and be very careful with the volume adjustments. The high and the low sections might not handle the power of the amp on two separate channels as well as one. We need to know what's going on in the cab to determine that. Beware you may reach mechanical limits on the new speakers before the wattage ratings. Mechanical limits are controlled some by the cab itself and is usually less then thermal/wattage/voice coil.

Are you on a quest for louder? Or were the old speakers dead?
 
#5
Wow!!!
I had no idea of the complexity of speakers!
I will check my contacts for connectivity and/or corrosion.
The 15" BW had a tear in the paper about 3 inches long!
I had to replace it obviously, but then I damaged one of the 8" by dropping the screwdriver through it!!
So...I just bought a whole set.
I'm not looking for more volume. This cabinet will stay in my basement under the SVT7PRO. It makes a great rig to practice loud. My VB2 and Fender 410's will be what I use for jamming, if I ever get good enough to play with real people instead of my imaginary band. Although, my imaginary band members tell me how much like Andy Fraser I sound!
 
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#6
That's cool. A loud quest could end not well depending on the gear involved :D

If you knew, and if it had not been for the screwdriver incident, you could have self-re-basketed the BW. Then again, if frogs had wings, they wouldn't be bumping their asses on the ground all the time.

tom dicus said:
I had to replace it obviously, but then I damaged one of the 8" by dropping the screwdriver through it!!
Click to expand...

@BassmanPaul any advice, sir? :D
 
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#10
Paulabass said:
Aside from a wiring problem, the Bi-amp side would require an outboard ACTIVE crossover.
Click to expand...
Most likely yes. It depends on what's in the box, and what the new drivers do to the box. I'd expect bi-amp jack are straight to drivers without any sort of filtering, but I've never peaked inside one. If the replacements are all full range(ish) bass drivers, it could sound good or horrid without separating the highs and lows. It would be a pretty happy mistake to sound great without a crossover though! :D Then again, with the internal crossover, and randomly selected drivers, it might not sound so good either... fingers crossed for the OP.
 
#12
tom dicus said:
I' going to do the best I can at explaining my dilemma.
I have a Peavey 1516 can.
It has 2 inputs in the back for full range and 2 inputs for bi-amp, hi and lo.
I have been using the left full range input since I got it umpteen gillion years ago.
It' been fine.
I just replaced the speakers.
The 15", 4ohm BW was replaced with a 15", 4ohm Eminence. The 2-8", 8ohm Peaveys were replaced with 2-8", 8ohm Celestians.
Now I must use the bi-amp side. One cord to the lo and one cord to the high.
I can no longer use the full range side to get all three speakers. Only the 8" come through using either of the 2 full range inputs!
Why or how could this happen?????
I did nothing but replace the speakers.
Also, is it ok to use both channels on my Ampeg SVT7PRO for this one 4ohm cab???
I'm perplexed!
Help me!
Click to expand...

You altered the wiring in some way during the speaker replacement. That's pretty much a guarantee. Depending on the power handling capacity of the replacement speakers, you could do some damage to them if you bypass the crossover. You're going to have to go back in and find the open connection. Good luck.
 
#15
I'll do my best to find a loose connection or a corroded plug, but I live in Alaska and it's very difficult to get musical instruments fixed here. I certainly appreciate all the great advise and I will keep you all posted with my findings.
I also wish you all a merry Christmas!
 

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