How To Run Two Cabs Through One Amp?

[HeadWind]

Well, the suggestions about getting better cabs are probably right. But better cabs are expensive. If you want to try to run these two cabs, get one of these: Invalid Link Removed and a preamp (find a used one on the classifieds). Still a lot of money (between $500 and $600 when done), but you may have problems finding two big cabs in that price range, and you still won't have a head.

With the power amp, you can bi-amp. Doesn't matter if the impedance are different. The nice thing about the pro-lite is that is allows you to plug the preamp in straight-away without a Y-cord to get non-bridged operation. And, if you want, you can push the <100 Hz into one can and the >100 Hz into the other cab. I say this because you said you wanted to use the Peavey for the lows and the other cab for the not-so-lows.

 

[ashtray]

I would run a separate 2 channel power amp for this setup, since most (well, many) bass amps can't do a 2 ohm load. There are cheap options out there for power amps and preamps.

Its fun to experiment, but you might be better served with one good cabinet instead.

 

[pudgychef]

Hartke xl series 4 10 is 8ohm. Peavy 1810 is 4ohm. Ampeg runs 250 watts at 8ohm and 350 watts at 4 ohm.

That head is not meant to see one 4ohm cab and one 8ohm cab...you could blow that head.
1x4 ohm cab OR 2x8ohm cab for a head with min 4ohm load. Keep it simple...you seem to be grasping at mismatched straws...you idea of two 8ohm cabs is the way to go imho

 

[Ric5]

I've never done this before. I have two cabinets I want to stack. A behringer bb410(1200 watt/4 ohm) and a Peavy Black widow(600 watt/4 ohm/pushing an extra 400 watts after some work). First things first, I don't wanna blow any speakers. A close second in importance is tone. I want to be able to make these two cabs work beautifully together. Any recommendations for an amp head?

you have 2 4 ohm cabs ... then the best way is 2 bass heads ...

 

[abarson]

I tried this setup. Sounds really good. I didn't crank it though, or run pedals. The Peavy has a new 18. It pushes 600 watts instead of the standard 200. Lows sound like they have potential on this cab. I'll have to see. I don't think this head(ampeg pf-350) is a great match. The Hartke also is a bit undesirable because it doesn't have a tweeter. First things first, can someone tell me if I'm going to damage gear with this setup?

So you just popped the 8 ohm 18 inch driver into the cabinet without changing the crossover? That's not a recipe for success, and may cause damage. The Ampeg is still not able to handle loads less than 4 ohms.

 

[canteenboy]

So you just popped the 8 ohm 18 inch driver into the cabinet without changing the crossover? That's not a recipe for success, and may cause damage. The Ampeg is still not able to handle loads less than 4 ohms.

I didn't do the work. It was done by a real professional guy in socal. Company called Speaker Repair Pros. Here's what he did.

 

[canteenboy]

This receipt says the 18 is a sigma pro woofer.

 

[prowla]

Get 2 amps; then you will be able to tweak the settings for each cab.

 

[Fuzzonaut]

Bi-amping with two identical power amps? That seems like a pretty weird idea, ...

Well, it's a Marshall, after all.

I wouldn't know for sure, if their are identical though, I never looked at a schematic, just at the back panel (and the manual I linked earlier).

 

[KillerEddie]

I hate to sound like I'm criticizing what you're doing but it seems that you are making a mountain out of a mole hill here. To do what you want you'll need s crossover and other equipment . Why not just trade the cabs for something that gives you all of what you want. Odds are those two cabs won't pair well together anyway even if they sound good on their own. Why not sell them and get something like a Genzler BA12-3 that has Faital drivers and can do both deep lows and clear mids and highs? Plus it's lot more compact

 

[baxter_x]

Honestly you would be better served to sell both of your not so amazing cabs and go out and buy a much nicer 4-10 and be done with it. Theoretically the cabs will sound OK together, but probably not. Also, to send lows to one and mids and highs to the other you would need a preamp, a crossover and a two channel power amplifier. If you are going to spend that kind of money, again, just go out and get one kick butt cab.

End of story here.
Those two cabs can't compete against one great 410. Sell those two and buy a real cab

 

[johnson79]

Don't run both the Hartke and Peavey out of that head! That load is under 4 ohms and can damage the Ampeg.
2x 8 ohm cabs is what you need.

 

[morgan138]

The nice thing about the pro-lite is that is allows you to plug the preamp in straight-away without a Y-cord to get non-bridged operation. And, if you want, you can push the <100 Hz into one can and the >100 Hz into the other cab.

You don't want a normal stereo/dual-mono power amp for bi-amping, because the side that's pushing low frequencies should be more powerful than the one pushing the highs (because you need more power to make low frequencies sound as loud as high ones). With equal sides, you're limited by the power of the low side and will be wasting a big chunk of the high one's power.

Take a GK800RB...300 watts into the low cab, 100 into the high one.

 

[Stumbo]

I've never done this before. I have two cabinets I want to stack. A behringer bb410(1200 watt/4 ohm) and a Peavy Black widow(600 watt/4 ohm/pushing an extra 400 watts after some work). First things first, I don't wanna blow any speakers. A close second in importance is tone. I want to be able to make these two cabs work beautifully together. Any recommendations for an amp head?

What's your budget for a head?

 

[Deezer Butler]

If you REALLY want to use both of those cabs. I would get a LH1000. You can run both cabs safely on its own channel and adjust the balance control accordingly.

 

[canteenboy]

I think I'm gonna buy that Hartke LH1000. Seems like the best fit for my situation. I think I'll try to make the peavy cab + the Hartke 4×10 work with the LH1000. I'll use the Behringer cab as my 2nd string. LH1000 should be a good fit for that too.

 

[canteenboy]

Is the Behringer cab really bad quality? I figured it would sound decent with a solid amp. 1200 watts + tweeter had me thinking this cab would be a nice option.

 

[canteenboy]

Any first hand info on the quality of the Behringer would be greatly appreciated.

 

[pudgychef]

Any first hand info on the quality of the Behringer would be greatly appreciated.

It is a low priced 4x10...I have played through one...it was okay. The new Bugera stuff seems better.
In that price range I like the v2 Rumble 4x10 more.
That being said...I am not a 4x10 fan...for hauling, footprint and speaker arrangent...were I in your shoes I would try to move all three of these cabs for a decent 2x12, pair of 1x12s or pair of 15s.

All that being said...that 4x10 and a head with enough power would be totally usuable and wouldn't worry me in the slightest if it was the provided back line at a bar gig.