is it true?

Do a search. Underpowering a cab will generally not be a problem, but keep in mind that heads can spike in wattage when they clip, and if the spike is bigger than the cab's rated wattage then you could have some problems. But the issue in this case is not that you are underpowering the cab, but rather that the head is clipping. But IMO, I just don't trust Berhinger's musical instrument amps (bad experience with em) and while you can indeed use that combination I would not highly recommend the cab. Others have different experience with Berhinger though...

 

No, it's not true, for that gear, or any other.

That's the short answer. For the long answer, use the search function in this forum, and prepare to read for a few hours. There's a reason this rumor got started and persists, but it's a silly one, and doesn't come up in real gigging life.

Edit: the previous post provides a good synopsis. This isn't something you should lose sleep over. No amount of clipping is going to make a 500 watt amp blow a 1000 watt cab. I'd be more worried about the Behringer spontaneously combusting than I would about the Ashdown blowing it up.

 

Not to be a jerk about it but... did you try using the search feature here at Talkbass? I just closed a thread yesterday on the exact same topic.

Here, go to that thread and read the links that I posted there for that member. Can I underpower my Cabinet?

This thread is now closed.