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Is it okay to unplug 1 Ampeg 810e Speaker?

Joey Perron

Joey Perron

Guest
Aug 25, 2018
26
10
#1
I recently got my second Darkglass m900 head and just like the last one and every single one I know someone has it just can’t really do 2 ohms very well. I normally live run 2 Ampeg 810s and when I run 1 at 4 ohms I have no problems but the moment I run two at 2 ohms I have to lower my volume or the head cuts out and just fails. I’ve learned this is a common problem with the m900 and till I can get rid of it and get something different I’m in need of a way to run these two cabs. Can I unplug a speaker or two from each lowering the ohms to maybe somewhere the head can handle? 7 speakers in each cab I know will make for a weird ohm but since it’s class D I think it should be fine. Any help is appreciated. I just want to figure out a way to be able to turn up and have my normal volume and sound. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Take care.
 
#2
I'm not a techy person but apparently the amp is not designed to handle 2ohms very well especially with 2 Ampeg 810e cabinets rated at 800 watts @ 4ohms each.
Honestly I would just run 1 810e cabinet @ 4 ohms with that head and you maybe should contact Darkglass tech support and ask them about the 2 ohm situation with the 2 cabinets your using, and as far as disconnecting speakers to come up with some miracle ohms to make your amp work efficently, I wouldn't, you'll end up mucking something up.
 
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#3
Heatsink in the amp isn't large enough.

I'm not sure if the head constantly runs the fan in 2 ohm mode. Or controls the speed depending on temp.

If the fan was constantly on, and at high speed it could increase the likelihood of it surviving at 2 ohms.

Likewise even if you did get it to not shut down with the fan blasting. Bet you 20 bucks the power supply is just as poorly heatsinked and will die too eventually from 2 ohms drawing so much current.

Few possibilities

Run another external box fan to try and push more air over the amp.

If any panels on the case can be removed in hopes of getting more airflow through the amp.

The 810e cabinets usually have seperate compartments per 2 speakers, so disconnecting the lower pair would yield a slightly higher impedance around 5 ohms nominal.

Instead of running both cabs in parallel, make or purchase a custom series cable which would operate the 2 cabinets as a 8ohm load in series.

With the overall efficiency of 2 cabinets I doubt the lower power level will be a issue. It's more current draw and heat is the issue at 2 ohms

Likewise I've been running 810e for years, and often use a pair for shows.

I absolutely will not touch a class D amp or anything with a switch mode pooper supply.

Old school led Sleds and transformers only for me when pushing a stage stacked with cabs.
 
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#7
BogeyBass said:
Heatsink in the amp isn't large enough.

I'm not sure if the head constantly runs the fan in 2 ohm mode. Or controls the speed depending on temp.

If the fan was constantly on, and at high speed it could increase the likelihood of it surviving at 2 ohms.

Likewise even if you did get it to not shut down with the fan blasting. Bet you 20 bucks the power supply is just as poorly heatsinked and will die too eventually from 2 ohms drawing so much current.

Few possibilities

Run another external box fan to try and push more air over the amp.

If any panels on the case can be removed in hopes of getting more airflow through the amp.

The 810e cabinets usually have seperate compartments per 2 speakers, so disconnecting the lower pair would yield a slightly higher impedance around 5 ohms nominal.

Instead of running both cabs in parallel, make or purchase a custom series cable which would operate the 2 cabinets as a 8ohm load in series.

With the overall efficiency of 2 cabinets I doubt the lower power level will be a issue. It's more current draw and heat is the issue at 2 ohms

Likewise I've been running 810e for years, and often use a pair for shows.

I absolutely will not touch a class D amp or anything with a switch mode pooper supply.

Old school led Sleds and transformers only for me when pushing a stage stacked with cabs.
Click to expand...

Another option....Instead of disconnecting a pair of drivers in each cab, run dual mono on one cab (all 8 drivers) and run just half of the second cab. This will provide a 2.67 ohm load and evenly distribute the power to all 12 drivers.


upload_2016-9-29_12-9-58-png.png
 
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#10
gwangi said:
I'm not a techy person but apparently the amp is not designed to handle 2ohms very well especially with 2 Ampeg 810e cabinets rated at 800 watts @ 4ohms each.
Honestly I would just run 1 810e cabinet @ 4 ohms with that head and you maybe should contact Darkglass tech support and ask them about the 2 ohm situation with the 2 cabinets your using, and as far as disconnecting speakers to come up with some miracle ohms to make your amp work efficently, I wouldn't, you'll end up mucking something up.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply I appreciate the help!
 
#11
BogeyBass said:
Heatsink in the amp isn't large enough.

I'm not sure if the head constantly runs the fan in 2 ohm mode. Or controls the speed depending on temp.

If the fan was constantly on, and at high speed it could increase the likelihood of it surviving at 2 ohms.

Likewise even if you did get it to not shut down with the fan blasting. Bet you 20 bucks the power supply is just as poorly heatsinked and will die too eventually from 2 ohms drawing so much current.

Few possibilities

Run another external box fan to try and push more air over the amp.

If any panels on the case can be removed in hopes of getting more airflow through the amp.

The 810e cabinets usually have seperate compartments per 2 speakers, so disconnecting the lower pair would yield a slightly higher impedance around 5 ohms nominal.

Instead of running both cabs in parallel, make or purchase a custom series cable which would operate the 2 cabinets as a 8ohm load in series.

With the overall efficiency of 2 cabinets I doubt the lower power level will be a issue. It's more current draw and heat is the issue at 2 ohms

Likewise I've been running 810e for years, and often use a pair for shows.

I absolutely will not touch a class D amp or anything with a switch mode pooper supply.

Old school led Sleds and transformers only for me when pushing a stage stacked with cabs.
Click to expand...
Thank you. That info was extremely helpful. I own an old peavey mark 4 bass head that doesn’t skip a beat at 2 ohms. I really appreacite your help.
 
#14
Wasnex said:
Another option....Instead of disconnecting a pair of drivers in each cab, run dual mono on one cab (all 8 drivers) and run just half of the second cab. This will provide a 2.67 ohm load and evenly distribute the power to all 12 drivers.


View attachment 3234555
Click to expand...
I will 100% try this. Thank you for this idea! I didn’t even think of that. Most of the time the other cab is for the guitarist to hear or for when I go on that side of the stage.
 
#18
Wasnex said:
Probably a stupid question, but are you engaging the 2 ohm switch on the back of the amp?

Also, note post #3 from this thread: Darkglass Microtubes 900 2 ohm problem HELP
Click to expand...
Yeah some shows I’ll run one cab so I always engage the button on the back whenever I bring the second cab on stage. So that post was actually me when I got my first Darkglass head and they sent me a new one saying it wouldn’t have the same issue. But a few weeks in and it’s doing it again and I’m seeing other bassist who run two 810s using 2 of the darkglass heads so that’s giving me the idea that the head can’t really power at 2 ohms very well.
 
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