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Increase volume

S

semborg

Mar 1, 2005
591
2
38
Europe, Sweden, Skåne
#1
Okay I have yamaha bbt 500h amplifier with 2x10 matching cab.
The amp can go down to 2 ohms and give 500 watts. (250 watts at 4 ohm).

Right now I can't get much of volume, quite much but not enough.

If I add another 2x10 I will gain:

Double ammount of speaker surface.
Double ammount of wattage.
Easy to transport rig.

The thing is, that I am afraid this not will be enough...
Because I cannot try it. I can't know.
But 500 watts into 4 10" speakers sounds enough to me.

2# choice:

If I add a 4x10 instead:

Much bigger ammount of speaker surface.
Double ammount of wattage.
Not very easy to transport.


Help me and give advice on what to do.
(What I feel right now is to go with the 1# Choice (2 2x10 cabs)

Thank you!
 
#3
How many ohms in your existing cab? I'm guessing 4 ohms, since you're talking about taking advantage of the amps output at 2 ohms?

Anyway, the safest bet would be to get another cab that matches your existing one. That way, you're getting a known quantity and, if you have problems with one, you've always got the other one spare for quieter gigs.

However, I'd be tempted to get a different sized speaker, which gives you more flexibility - for example, a 1x15" unit.

How far are you from somewhere you can try some different options?

Wulf
 
#4
I live in sweden.
So I can easily get contact with products like Hartke, Behringer, Yamaha, Gallien krueger and such.

The matching yamaha cabs are 4 ohms 250 watts.

What I feel now is to add another 2x10 cab.
It's easy to transport. But If you guys think its not enough with 500 watts into 2 2x10 cabs in normal band situations, then I will think of add an 4x10 instead.

I really want 10" cabs.
 
#5
If your main criteria are moving lots of air and using 10" speakers, a 4x10 might be your best option. That gives you three different configurations - 2x10, 4x10 and both (increasing volume at the expense of portability). However, I still think it would be worth you trying a range of options including other speaker sizes.

Anyway, what's a normal band situation? Every band I've played with has been unique ;)

Wulf
 
#10
semborg said:
Will my volume get doubled?
Or more than double cuz its double size and double watts.
Click to expand...
Doubling the wattage and area will not double volume.

Doubling wattage will add 3db (small, but noticable increase). Doubling area will add the same. Combined it will be a significant increase in overall volume, but not double.

To double the volume you need TEN times the wattage, give or take.
 
#15
It really depends on how close you are in volume right now. Adding a 2x10 to your existing rig will definately bump up your volume nicely. 500 watts and 4x10's is a very respectable rig.

I think you should go for the 2x10 because you want to keep it compact. I'd be surprised if it isn't enough for you.

Correct me if I'm wrong but if you buy new couldn't you return it if you decide you don't like it?
 
#16
Tash said:
Either step by itself would get you not much of an increase (3db is the smallest increment of SPL increase that a human can notice). Both together would be decent boost.
Click to expand...

I don't believe this to be correct. I believe it is closer to 1dB that is the smallest detectable increment for humans - although that depends on many physical factors.

3dB is often used because it's the half/double power point. Double your power output for a 3dB increase.

As for loudness, consider the sensitivity of the cabinet. This accounts for the speaker area as well as many parameters of the driver/cabinet relationship. Getting a cabinet that is 3dB more sensitive over the entire frequency spectrum is theoretically (mathematically) equivalent to doubling the clean power of your amplifier.

As a simple guideline for your consideration, if you have 1 2x10 right now, dissipating 250W of your amplifier's power, you can reach a certain sound level. Adding another 2x10 doubles your power usage due to the impedance change, increasing your output by 3dB. Then there is a 3dB increase due to the coupling of the two cabinets. This all assumes the same cabinet (same sensitivity).

Hopefully that clarifies the points a little bit. The math is available to back it up but isn't necessary.
 
#18
BassIan said:
I don't believe this to be correct. I believe it is closer to 1dB that is the smallest detectable increment for humans - although that depends on many physical factors.

3dB is often used because it's the half/double power point. Double your power output for a 3dB increase.

As for loudness, consider the sensitivity of the cabinet. This accounts for the speaker area as well as many parameters of the driver/cabinet relationship. Getting a cabinet that is 3dB more sensitive over the entire frequency spectrum is theoretically (mathematically) equivalent to doubling the clean power of your amplifier.

As a simple guideline for your consideration, if you have 1 2x10 right now, dissipating 250W of your amplifier's power, you can reach a certain sound level. Adding another 2x10 doubles your power usage due to the impedance change, increasing your output by 3dB. Then there is a 3dB increase due to the coupling of the two cabinets. This all assumes the same cabinet (same sensitivity).

Hopefully that clarifies the points a little bit. The math is available to back it up but isn't necessary.
Click to expand...

Excellent post.
 

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