• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Blown or Worn out Speaker? Avatar Cabs 2x12

L

lennysj

Apr 7, 2010
12
0
San Antonio
#1
Hi! I have two Avatar Cabinets a 410 Neo and a 212 Neo (1600W bridged at 4 ohms) and I love them but I just switched from a Sansamp Rackmount and Crown Power Amp (1400W @ 4 Ohms) to a new Little MarkBass Tube 800.

My new amp kept cutting out when I ran both cabs and had all the cables checked and re-checked and they were fine. What I believe the problem is my 212 cab either has one or both speakers either blown or worn out. I called Avatar and they said it might be "worn." but I find that hard to believe being that they are less than 3 years old. I also noticed that the back of my 212 cabinet shakes pretty bad, especially when at higher volumes.

I guess my question has anyone ever had a speaker wear out? And if so, after how many hours/days/years of use?
 
#4
Not getting the meaning of "(1600W bridged at 4 ohms)" when describing cabs. Are the cabs 4 Ohms each or 8 Ohms each?

If they are 4 Ohms each, you're showing a 2 Ohm load to the amp, which it's not designed for. If they are 8 Ohms each, then something else is wrong. I'm hoping it's the former because I just bought a LMT 800 5 weeks ago, and used on one gig. I would hope it would handle a 4 Ohm load with ease.
 
#5
Ok, each cab is 8 ohms, that is what the rating on the back says but with out pulling each speaker out I can't really tell. The 410 is 1000W and the 212 is 600W. The Markbass is 800W at 4 ohms. When i connect both cabinets I am assuming I have a 4 ohm load that can handle 1600W.

The 410 cabinet is not shaking but the 212 is. The is either over heating or it is cutting off due to thermal protection or a possible short. I used to run both cabinets with a power amp and separate pre-amp.

Right now I don't know whether to replace the speakers in my 2x12 or just call it a loss and get something else. I don't know that new speakers would make that 2x12 stop shaking.
 
#7
Just something to remember is that the cabs get the power split to them. When you were running your old power amp 1400w @ 4ohms, you were giving each cabinet 700 watts. Your 2x12 is rated for 600 watts. Just something to think about.
 
#9
lennysj said:
Well not sure if it is my amp making my 212 speaker cab shake, that does seem like bracing or something along those lines.

But a speaker (or speaker cabinet) only lasting about 3 years seems kind of short.
Click to expand...
I would think that consistenly putting more watts into a cab than it was designed for, over a 3 year period, would shorten the life span of the speakers. I'm no expert though and I'm probably wrong...
 
#10
+1 you don't *add* the 2 cabs ratings together, but as mentioned, the power is split between them. The 212 is rated for 600, so 1200 watts would be pushing it. (speaker wattage ratings are the thermal limit of the voice coil, and NOT how much actual wattage the speaker can handle). So yeah, I think you've been pushing that poor 2x12 beyond it's capabilities, and it gave up.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back