Hartke HD112/ Markbass 250 Blackline

[Lgibjones]

Hello,

I was lucky enough to get a good used deal on this amp/cab combo. The cab has settings for 4 and 8 ohms, and the amp requires a cab with a minimum of 4 ohms, so it appears I could chose either setting. What are the pros and cons of running 4 vs 8 ohms in this situation?

Thanks

 

[David Morison]

The amp is capable of providing up to 250W into a 4 ohm load, and 150W into an 8 ohm load.
The speaker (I'm assuming you meant HD112, as I can't find anything on a 122?) is rated to handle up to 300W, so should be safe to use in either setting.
So, if you want to get the most out of the speaker, use the 4 ohm setting. It will only get a very small amount louder than in the 8 ohm setting, as the difference in available power is only just over 2dB, and the cab may well be a tiny bit less efficient when in 4 ohm mode (Link), so it's more for your psychological benefit than for any real extra volume.
If you want to pair the speaker up with another, either to increase the total efficiency of the system or because you like some of the tonal characteristics of the other speaker, use the 8 ohm setting (and make sure the other speaker is also 8 ohms).

 

[Lgibjones]

Thanks for your insights - you are correct about the cab, I fixed the title.

 

[DWBass]

I had that same amp and ran it with a single 8ohm 12 cab. Worked great and was loud enough for my application. As mentioned, you won't be much louder setting that cab to 4ohm.

 

[Al Kraft]

I have played that head many times as a buddy of mine owns one. It is a really nice piece of gear and IME will likely sound fine at either 4 or 8 Ohms. I doubt the 4 Ohm cab setting will make that big a difference.

Congratulations on getting a fine little head and from all that I've read, a very nice Hartke cab. I'll bet that rig will keep you happy for years.

 

[Steevo00]

Some years ago I demoed a used HD112. That cab seem to complain in 4 ohm mode being driven by my Ampeg PF 350. Which is 350 W at four ohms, not 250. So not apples to apples. Maybe that cab had a hard life before I bought it. I decided to return that cab.
Fast forward to now. I found another used HD 112 locally. Decided to give that a try. Powered it with the same Blackline 250 that you have.
GREAT tone! Not the most efficient cab, but nice lows, and some nice upper mid presence.
At 8 ohm mode, this cab stayed nice and clean with the Blackline's volume at 3 o'clock and the pre gain set so the clip light only came on occasionally. Didn't push any further. Haven't tried it at 4 ohm mode, the previous experience left me nervous about that!
Enjoy your new rig, I think you're going to love that tone!
Now my predjudice speaking…
I personally wouldn't run one of those cabs at 4 ohms, even with the 250 Blackline, without some kind of compressor or limiter in front of it.
I would keep an ear on it the first time you take it up to band/gig volume.

 

[Lgibjones]

Some years ago I demoed a used HD112. That cab seem to complain in 4 ohm mode being driven by my Ampeg PF 350. Which is 350 W at four ohms, not 250. So not apples to apples. Maybe that cab had a hard life before I bought it. I decided to return that cab.
Fast forward to now. I found another used HD 112 locally. Decided to give that a try. Powered it with the same Blackline 250 that you have.
GREAT tone! Not the most efficient cab, but nice lows, and some nice upper mid presence.
At 8 ohm mode, this cab stayed nice and clean with the Blackline's volume at 3 o'clock and the pre gain set so the clip light only came on occasionally. Didn't push any further. Haven't tried it at 4 ohm mode, the previous experience left me nervous about that!
Enjoy your new rig, I think you're going to love that tone!
Now my predjudice speaking…
I personally wouldn't run one of those cabs at 4 ohms, even with the 250 Blackline, without some kind of compressor or limiter in front of it.
I would keep an ear on it the first time you take it up to band/gig volume.

Thank you so much for for the detailed information! I'll take care as I turn it up.

 

[frankie5string]

I've been running two HD112 cabs since they came out... I love them but when I use one, I don't see a real reason to use the 4 ohm mode. I've tried it at 4 ohms, but it wasn't that dramatic of a difference. If anything, it's a switch that can get knocked to a setting that might not be germaine to what you're doing - like if you're running it with another 8 ohm cab. Just leave it at 8 and you should have no problem getting big fat bass tone out of it.