How much power is too much?

bridge you want all the headroom you can get

 

try it each way and see what sounds better??? I have been using an eden wt300 lately (300w into 4ohms) , but keep forgetting to bring my extra speaker cable to hook up two 112 aguilars. so I've been playing one, almost at peak point on the amp for most of the set (20 minutes) I think it sounds nicer closer to clipping on the eden then when I'm running 2 112s not clipping/limiting?

wierd!!

 

First, I have to assume that volume wise you're turning up to what you feel is an appropriate level, and not just the very limit of your speakers. If this is the case, why wouldn't you want more clean power onhand? Having more power onhand in a bass guitar context is never worse than less, and it's safer for your speakers.

When we're talking about playing loud enough to actually send thousands of watts to our cabs though... I hope you're playing outdoors

 

Overpowering is not about playing loud, more headroom will get you a more solid sound even at low volume.
Headroom is a beutiful thing

 

I have a PLX 2402 and a Schro 1210, I've tried it both ways. It sounds hugely better in bridged configuration, IMHO. Try it for yourself and tell us what you think, please.

When I play this setup at what I consider stupid-loud volumes (way too loud for the 300 seat venue I mainly use the cab in), the -10dB lght on the PLX is just coming on. If the light's calibrated right, that means the cab's actually seeing ~240 watts. I'm using a compressor/limiter when I run bridged, you might want to try that as well.

 

When I tried that configuration, I was playing very hard (I play fretless-only though), but I was also using ~2:1 compression. It's instructive to look at those lights while you're playing in any case. I see lots of guys say they "were sending 2400 watts to the cab". Maybe, but probably not for more than a few milliseconds here and there, if at all. In this case, the -10dB lights were on most of the time I was playing. It sounded absolutely great though.

As far as preserving the cab, you have to make the call. I can see the clip light come on way too often for my liking if I'm playing stupid-loud and the QSC's running in stereo. Bridged, I never got close to that happening. But I don't really like to play all that loud most of the time. I'm a geezer, what can I say?

I have yet to actually gig with the Schroeder and my QSC set up bridged though. For what I typically do, the Focus is more than enough.

 

Glad you're enjoying the cab Lonotes! Did FedEx get it there on time and intact?

 

Can most amps/cabs be bridged?
I have a Peavey Max 700 and a Schroeder 1212. Can I bridge the Peavey into the Schroeder?

 

1.21 jigawatts is too much

 

Is it a stereo amp that is safe for bridged mono operation at 4 ohms? Doesn't appear to be from the specs that I see online?

 

Keep in mind that a 2000W amp with a 500W speaker is like having a 400 HP Ferrarri to drive the kids to school. You aren't generating 400HP at 25mph. You aren't producing 2000W of power unless you are playing awfully loud. But if that light turns yellow and you need to really punch it to get through, you may need that 400HP for a short period of time.

Its not like plugging a 120V amp into a 220v socket. The wattage rating is the max, the actual wattage works like, the louder you play, the more wattage is involved.

Randy

 

+1

 

Too much power?

Is this a trick question?

 

Wasn't sure, no offense intended, seems like this issue comes up a lot, so I threw that out there before anyone really asked..

How many watts is the schroeder rated for anyway?

Randy