Boss Katana 500 head with two cabinets ?

[JudeR]

Hello to you all,

I just got myself the Boss Katana 500 head and the matching Boss 112 cabinet. All fine and good, but I'd like to add a cab to this setup. First time stacking stuff so of course, I'm a bit confused regarding impedance.

First things first, here's what the head has to say : 500W peak @ 4 Ohms, 250W peak @ 8 Ohms.
The 112 cab : 500W peak @ 4 Ohms (250W RMS).

Now, I've read the general rule of putting up two cabs together of equal impedance and if I understood correctly, in this instance it means 2 Ohms. I've also read about the dangers of plugging an amp into a 2 Ohms cab. Seems funky.

The bit that confuses me is that I've read here and there something like "why not add a second 112 cab to your rig for more oompf ?". So 2 Ohms funkiness inbound ?

I've only been able to find this tiny tidbit of info in the manual :
If you are connecting the A or B jacks to a single speaker box, you must use a speaker box with an input impedance of 4Ω or higher.
If you are connecting both A and B jacks to a speaker box, you must use a speaker box with an input impedance of 8Ω or higher.

Doesn't entirely answer my question, unless I'm missing something.

The idea would have been to add a 410 cabinet for bigger venues, like a Fender Rumble (500W @ 4Ohms). Am I screwed or is there something I can do ?

Thanks for your time and wisdom,

J.

 

[Zooberwerx]

If your cab is 4 ohms, you're hosed. The Boss Katana head has a minimal 4 ohm load listed in the specs....can't add a second cab.

Riis

 

[JudeR]

Naive question : even if I wire them in series rather than parallel ?

 

[Zooberwerx]

Naive question : even if I wire them in series rather than parallel ?

Yeah, but you're really not gaining anything. I hate these "peak watts" ratings. Your amp probably does something like ~250 watts (4 ohm) / ~175 watts (8 ohm). Given your stated goal, I'd say you "under-bought".

Riis

 

[abarson]

Welcome to TB.
The Boss website and owner's manual indicate that the 112 bass cabinet is 8 ohms, which is expected for a single speaker cab. Look at what's printed on the cabinet input to be sure. It should say "250 watts 8 ohms". If it doesn't I don't know what cabinet you have.

BOSS - KATANA CABINET 112 BASS | Bass Amplifier Cabinet

KATANA CABINET 112 BASS: Bass Amplifier Cabinet - Big Sound, Compact Size

www.boss.info

Amps have a minimum speaker load that they are happy to deliver their power to: going lower than its minimum raises the potential for damage.
The Katana 500 has a minimum load threshold of 4 ohms: do not go lower.

Here is a quick table of what speaker configurations are safe to make with this amp:
Output A only --> 8 ohms
Output B only --> 8 ohms
Output A only --> 4 ohms
Output B only --> 4 ohms
Output A --> 8 ohms + Output B --> 8ohms

You risk damage to your amp using any other cabinet combinations.
Also, keep in mind when you daisy chain cabinets together, you are connecting them in parallel, not series.

I also think it's sketch that Boss used "peak" ratings instead of RMS.

 

[Sid the Kid]

You could still use just a 4 ohm 4x10 for louder gigs. The 4x10 will appreciate the full 500 watts more than the single 12. It’s nice to have options.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Welcome to TB.
The Boss website and owner's manual indicate that the 112 bass cabinet is 8 ohms, which is expected for a single speaker cab. Look at what's printed on the cabinet input to be sure. It should say "250 watts 8 ohms". If it doesn't I don't know what cabinet you have.

BOSS - KATANA CABINET 112 BASS | Bass Amplifier Cabinet

KATANA CABINET 112 BASS: Bass Amplifier Cabinet - Big Sound, Compact Size

www.boss.info

Amps have a minimum speaker load that they are happy to deliver their power to: going lower than its minimum raises the potential for damage.
The Katana 500 has a minimum load threshold of 4 ohms: do not go lower.

Here is a quick table of what speaker configurations are safe to make with this amp:
Output A only --> 8 ohms
Output B only --> 8 ohms
Output A only --> 4 ohms
Output B only --> 4 ohms
Output A --> 8 ohms + Output B --> 8ohms

You risk damage to your amp using any other cabinet combinations.
Also, keep in mind when you daisy chain cabinets together, you are connecting them in parallel, not series.

I also think it's sketch that Boss used "peak" ratings instead of RMS.

Well, that changes things...the OP mis-quoted the specs. There's even a shot of (2) 112's stacked...go for it.

Riis

 

[JudeR]

Thank you all for your replies. My apologies, you're absolutely right - 8 Ohms indeed. Dunno why I got it wrong. Fender Rumble it is then !

Cheers everyone.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Thank you all for your replies. My apologies, you're absolutely right - 8 Ohms indeed. Dunno why I got it wrong. Fender Rumble it is then !

Cheers everyone.

*meh* Just get a 2nd matching Boss 112. It will look cool and should meet your volume requirements. You'll also appreciate the modularity.

Riis

 

[ezstep]

If you like the tone and overall sound of the Boss 112, I would recommend you get a second Boss 112 (8 ohm). The difference in sound between one 12 and two 12's is huge.

 

[JudeR]

You guys would say a 410 cab is overkill ? We're playing a few outdoor festivals next spring / summer, so I thought what the hell... But honestly yeah, matching cabs and amp is all fine by me.

 

[abarson]

You guys would say a 410 cab is overkill ? We're playing a few outdoor festivals next spring / summer, so I thought what the hell... But honestly yeah, matching cabs and amp is all fine by me.

Hopefully for the outdoor festivals you will run a DI out connection to the PA and you will only need the pair of 112s for stage monitoring.

 

[JudeR]

Advice followed, second 112 on its way. Thanks again !

 

[Zooberwerx]

Advice followed, second 112 on its way. Thanks again !

If you’ve done this correctly, it should look EXACTLY like the photo on the brochure.

Riis

 

[JudeR]

Then I'm gonna go cab, head and cab on top for the sake of quirkiness.