Help with Cabinet Configuration

[danstefl]

Hey guys,
I am currently running a Trace Elliot 500 watt amp that is ran to a 4x10 4ohm cab. the tone is remarkable but I want a little more low end and the bigger venues we are attending I would like to rattle things a little more. I woudl like to extend my rig to include a 15 or perhaps another 4x10 cabinet. I am stuck at the thought process of how do I add another cab to my current rig without having to replace BOTH cabs (4ohm + ?) I envision needing 2 8 ohm cabs to run at 4 ohms so I don't over run my amp but it just seems like people by extension cabs all the time and don't have to replace their existing. Can someone shed some light onto this for me, what are my options with an existing 4 ohm cab and wanting to extend it to a full size rig. Any detailed explinations are GREATLY appreciated. I look forward to your replies.

 

[playerunk]

for series connection :
you can buy another 4ohm cab and be ok (the impedance will rise to 8ohm so less power will be pumped into the 2 cabs)

for parallel connection :
if your head is stable at 2ohm you can add another cab with no problems.

you your head can go down to only 4ohms then you have to buy 2 new cabinets for a new rig because you already have a 4ohm cabinet.. adding another 4ohm will bring the impedance 'seen' by the amp down to 2 ohm while adding a 8ohm cab will bring it down to 2.6 both of witch are not safe for a head capable only of a 4ohm load.

 

[UncleBalsamic]

Adding a 115 won't necessarily get you much more low end.

I'd add another identical 410. This would mean either getting a 4 ohm 410 and connecting it in series with your current cab (an unusual setup), or selling your cab and getting two 8 ohm 410s, which can be connected in parallel for a a load of 4 ohms.

The latter option is likely your best bet, especially if there is a 8 ohm version of the cab you've already got. It's not so ideal if you can't get a similar cab.

 

[danstefl]

Adding a 115 won't necessarily get you much more low end.

I'd add another identical 410. This would mean either getting a 4 ohm 410 and connecting it in series with your current cab (an unusual setup), or selling your cab and getting two 8 ohm 410s, which can be connected in parallel for a a load of 4 ohms.

The latter option is likely your best bet, especially if there is a 8 ohm version of the cab you've already got. It's not so ideal if you can't get a similar cab.

If I ran them in series that simply means the 500 it pushes out at 4 ohm would them be divided (simplistic terms) into 250 watt per cab over 2 4 ohm cabs right? Would this result in basically the same sound I currently have or will the increase of speaker coverage/air movement result in a beefier overall sound. I am hesitant to try to get 2 more cabs and selling my (custom Trace Green) current cab because someone will have to repaint it but that is sounding like the only way to go to have 2 cabs run off my amp. DAMNIT.

 

[playerunk]

If I ran them in series that simply means the 500 it pushes out at 4 ohm would them be divided (simplistic terms) into 250 watt per cab over 2 4 ohm cabs right?

no

you will have the power that the amp runs at 8ohms (because the amp sees a 8ohm load) and that divided by 2 into the 2 cabinets ([email protected] think that is around 350@8ohm (just a guess)..so you will have 175w per cab)