Help with matching amps to Subs

[user0627]

Here's one for all you experienced pro sound junkies. I have recently acquired some bass cabs and I need some suggestions on how to amp these so that they sound like they should. For amps let's say for the sake of the conversation money is not a problem I happen to like qsc and older macro tech crown amps but let me see what you guys think about this. Any and all suggestions are appreciated

My speakers are 2 CERWIN VEGA SL 36S RATED AT 700W RMS EACH
2 JBL MPRO 255S RATED AT 500W RMS EACH
4 HOME MADE CABS MODELED AFTER THE DANLEY TH118 RATED AT 1000W EA.
THE DRIVER IS ONE 18" L18P300 BY RCF.

Let me know how I can amp these babies (the homemade ones are also tapped horns as the others and look exactly like the Danley th118)

These are the amps I have right now and willing to part with them in order to get better/the correct amps.
2 qsc rmx 2450
1 behringer EP2500
1 QSC RMX 1450
THAT'S IT GUYS LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK …CHEERS : DAVE R.

 

[RoadRanger]

I'd not try to mix different kinds of subs - they'll quite possibly cancel each other at certain frequencies. And I'd be concerned that the faux TH118 cabs aren't real "clones" and/or aren't properly tuned to the driver you used.

Otherwise I'd power the faux TH118's with the two RMX2450's (bridged). The Cerwin Vega's with the RMX1450 bridged. The JBL's with the EP2500 in stereo (not bridged).

It is very important that you use proper HPF's on all - they'll all die without that .

 

[user0627]

I'd not try to mix different kinds of subs - they'll quite possibly cancel each other at certain frequencies. And I'd be concerned that the faux TH118 cabs aren't real "clones" and/or aren't properly tuned to the driver you used.

Otherwise I'd power the faux TH118's with the two RMX2450's (bridged). The Cerwin Vega's with the RMX1450 bridged. The JBL's with the EP2500 in stereo (not bridged).

It is very important that you use proper HPF's on all - they'll all die without that .

Hello thanks for your time and effort in replying to this post . The "canceling each other out" concept is an interesting one since I hadn't thought about it. Ok your suggestion is interesting but l don't think I made myself clear enough. My question really was "what would be the IDEAL cab to amp configuration" for these regardless of price, in other words if you had the money to buy any amp what would you buy for these cabinets? On another note I wouldn't think about driving two cerwin vegas rated at 750 w ea. RMS with a single qsc rmx 1450 (bridged) amp, someone told me you've got to have some decent headroom, something in the vicinity of twice the power handling of the cab is this true or just a myth? thanks again

 

[RoadRanger]

My question really was "what would be the IDEAL cab to amp configuration" for these regardless of price, in other words if you had the money to buy any amp what would you buy for these cabinets?

What I suggested is pretty close, not worth spending $$$ for little benefit.

On another note I wouldn't think about driving two cerwin vegas rated at 750 w ea. RMS with a single qsc rmx 1450 (bridged) amp, someone told me you've got to have some decent headroom, something in the vicinity of twice the power handling of the cab is this true or just a myth? thanks again

Cerwin Vega is known for their doubling of the actual power rating of the drivers (puny three inch voice coils I believe) - last I knew they will barely survive the RMX1450 bridged if you make sure to engage the 50Hz HPF on the amp. They do get pretty loud as long as you don't try to boost anything below 50 Hz and cause them to puke out their cones.

If you are trying to do EDM forget about the CV's and JBL's unless you can find a MaxxBass processor. I installed one once in a club that had a pair of CV's and was blowing them up regularly with only 500w into each - no probs afterwards and you can now "hear" those 25 Hz bass drops .

 

[user0627]

What I suggested is pretty close, not worth spending $$$ for little benefit.Cerwin Vega is known for their doubling of the actual power rating of the drivers (puny three inch voice coils I believe) - last I knew they will barely survive the RMX1450 bridged if you make sure to engage the 50Hz HPF on the amp. They do get pretty loud as long as you don't try to boost anything below 50 Hz and cause them to puke out their cones.

If you are trying to do EDM forget about the CV's and JBL's unless you can find a MaxxBass processor. I installed one once in a club that had a pair of CV's and was blowing them up regularly with only 500w into each - no probs afterwards and you can now "hear" those 25 Hz bass drops .

Hi thanks for all the advise much appreciated…well this is for live band not House or Electronic music so I don't really need to go that low I'll make shure to engage such filters. On another note I've seen bands one in particular that was using 4 cerwin vegas like mine and they were thumping pretty hard I wonder what they were using to amp them or process them but they sounded pretty killer to me. Not muddy but tight punchy bass they must have dsp'd them or compressed them but they sounded sweet. I think they can be useful if used right so I've got a lot to learn. Thanks for all the help I love you guys

 

[4Mal]

This is pretty old school but... I like amps with on board limiters. I like to size the amp so that it is hitting e limiter about at the honest powder rating for the speaker... Amp does 500 at 8, sub is rated at 500? Sounds good to me.

I run nothing bridged today. (except Passinwind tells me that my GK' s are actually bridged, so nothing in my PA...). I never ever go below 4 ohms... I've done a 180 on weight. Only Class d I own is a 4 channel Carvin on front line monitors and I'm looking at that one thinking... Do I trust it ? Maybe a pair of my old led sled EV's would be more trustworthy. I know they certainly sound better... I cared about weight a lot before snagging a larger truck and ramp... I do get that...

 

[RoadRanger]

On another note I've seen bands one in particular that was using 4 cerwin vegas like mine and they were thumping pretty hard I wonder what they were using to amp them or process them but they sounded pretty killer to me. Not muddy but tight punchy bass they must have dsp'd them or compressed them but they sounded sweet.

A pair on the bridged 1450 should cover 400+ people indoors at concert levels. Just don't freak out if the amp's limit lights are flashing - If needed I bring the subs up to where the lights start flashing and go 6 db past that to max them out . More than that and the compression (from the amp's limiters) gets obvious - and they don't get any punchier anyways.

My biggest sub pair are a similar design, I feed them 800w each, have even used them for 1000 outdoors (upper family friendly volume, center clustered).

 

[Downunderwonder]

Hi thanks for all the advise much appreciated…well this is for live band not House or Electronic music so I don't really need to go that low I'll make shure to engage such filters. On another note I've seen bands one in particular that was using 4 cerwin vegas like mine and they were thumping pretty hard I wonder what they were using to amp them or process them but they sounded pretty killer to me. Not muddy but tight punchy bass they must have dsp'd them or compressed them but they sounded sweet. I think they can be useful if used right so I've got a lot to learn. Thanks for all the help I love you guys

Nothing wrong with 50hz highpass for live band either.

Before you start spending on amps make sure your subs play together. What can happen is a phase mismatch sends both into fits of by resonance in reverse. Both are pumping like mad as one cone is going out the other is going in, each helping the other along. Net result is very little.

Say keyboard hits low B on synth patch and your cabs are out of phase at 60hz. It sounds weak so you bump up 60hz on the graphic and max the amps. You get enough distortion to make a noise but say goodbye to your subs.