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Daisy-Chain Monitors??

P

PNS128

Dec 28, 2007
123
0
Rhode Island
#1
my band has a Behringer PMP3000 Powered Mixer, which puts out 215w each side at 8 ohms and 450w each side at 4 ohms. currently, we have 2 8-ohm Squier SQ15 Loudspeakers, which each handle 300w program, 600 peak. now the question is, we'd like to take advantage of the 4 ohm power rating by daisy-chaining the speakers with 2 new monitors. is it possible for us to use these monitors: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Nady-PFW12-12Inch-2Way-Wedge-Monitor-Speaker?sku=609003

and line out of them to our main PA's?? would anything blow, not be able to handle the power?? would the ohms not match up right?? do the monitors even have outputs?? we never use the mixer to its ABSOLUTE peak, we don't push it to the red LED's, and we watch for clipping. we do use it consistently though. any help is GREATLY appreciated
-Ryan
 
#2
if the monitors are 8 ohms, you could very well do this...
however, it would not give you ideal signal path (volume control, eq)
for monitoring and mains. you would be much better off running one side of your power
for mains, the other for monitors with independent control of each,
which the mixer is capable of.
you will still be running 4 ohms per side, although you will be running the system in mono.
 
#3
D.A.R.K. said:
if the monitors are 8 ohms, you could very well do this...
however, it would not give you ideal signal path (volume control, eq)
for monitoring and mains. you would be much better off running one side of your power
for mains, the other for monitors with independent control of each,
which the mixer is capable of.
you will still be running 4 ohms per side, although you will be running the system in mono.
Click to expand...

+1 to this. That is the way to do this.

2 8ohm loads = 4 ohm load total

2 4ohm loads = 2ohm load total

4 8ohm loads = 2ohm load total etc,etc

JKT
 
#4
yeah splitting the mains and monitors is absolutely fine too, its partially what i meant. thank you very much. now the other question is, my PA'S (SQ15'S) dont have outputs. just one single 1/4 input. how would i do this?? and also, this website shows the product, and if you hit show image it shows the inputs. is there an output there?? i can't tell...
-Ryan
 
#5
if your current cabs only have single inputs, the best possible scenario would probably be to have another 1/4" jack installed, wired directly off of the existing jack. shouldn't be too difficult to do, really.
whichever brand monitors you decide on, you will need paralell i/o jacks.
according to to the pdf specs, the nady has dual 1/4" jacks.
 
#6
does dual 1/4 mean input AND an output?? i really cant tell. if there are no outputs on either of my cabs or the monitors, are there any cables that can split the signal like an output would??? not too much of a handyman. thank you
-Ryan
 
#9
hello rhode island ! johnny a. in western mass. you wont actually get much more wattage, you will be putting 450w divided by two, 225w into each speaker. it will 'seem louder' though. that amp only has one spk output for each speaker ? i figured it should have two. ALSO": the new spks you are buying already have paralell jacks, no modification needed. plug the amp into the new one, and daisy chain the old one off it. be aware that your power amp will get alot hotter running at 4 ohms. keep it out of the sun on outdoor gigs :) johnny a
 
#10
PNS128 said:
thank you very very much d.a.r.k. how much work is required to add an output to the cabs...???
Click to expand...

depends on how the cabs are built...
if there is a plate on the back that the current single jack is mounted to, you would simply remove the plate, drill a hole for the second jack (provided there is enough room), mount the second jack
and solder jumpers from the original jack to the new jack.
if there is no plate, or if there is no space on the plate(there might be a crossover mounted to it, for example) you will have to drill a hole for the new jack in the cab itself which would require a bit more work, i.e. removing a driver to gain access to the inside of the cab. just be sure to use tape and label everything to avoid problems, take your time and be meticulous. if you have a local electronics repairman, you could probably get this mod done relatively cheaply.
you really only absolutely need to get it done to one cab, although having parallel jacks on both might come in handy...
 
#11
thank you thank you thank you. last question, regarding the comment about overheating.
it does have a cooling fan built in, but to be cautious (prob a dumb question), would just having a small fan pointed at it help with overheating?? and if so, is there anywhere that would be best to point it?
Muchas gracias,
-Ryan
 
#12
PNS128 said:
thank you thank you thank you. last question, regarding the comment about overheating.
it does have a cooling fan built in, but to be cautious (prob a dumb question), would just having a small fan pointed at it help with overheating?? and if so, is there anywhere that would be best to point it?
Muchas gracias,
-Ryan
Click to expand...

Sometimes. I would point the fan so that it blows across the cooling fins or heat sinks, if any.

JKT
 

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