Markbass 102P 4 ohms vs 8 ohms

[Mark Plays Bass]

I'm pretty new to the bass and just bought my first good head, the Little Mark II, and good cab, the Markbass 102P (8 ohms). My question is what is the difference in sound between the 4 ohm and 8 ohm 102P?

(For me to hear it out for myself at Guitar Center I would have to special order the 4 ohm 102p and then I would be committed to buying it.)

I understand that if I get the 4 ohm model I won't be able to add an extension cab to my rig. Does anybody have an opinion on if the difference in sound is worth limiting my options this way?

BTW, the salesman at GC told me that the 8 ohm version was by far the more popular choice.

I still have three weeks to make an exchange if I decide to.

Thanks for your help!

 

[JimmyM]

Your salesman is right on all counts. With the 4 ohm, you'll get 500w, but it makes such little difference with a 210 that you would certainly want an 8 ohm combo so you can expand it later on.

 

[KJung]

Your salesman is right on all counts. With the 4 ohm, you'll get 500w, but it makes such little difference with a 210 that you would certainly want an 8 ohm combo so you can expand it later on.

I'd agree with this in general. You will actually notice the difference, not so much in volume, but in a lack of compression when pushed (i.e., you are less likely to run up against the power amp safety limiting), and you will hear a little more open, wide, pure low end (especially is you slap or really dig in). So, if you are absolutely 100% sure you would never, ever use an extension cab, then the 4ohm version is a no brainer. That extra 10 or 15% of volume and the more open low end is wonderful, and is a 'free' boost for that rig.

However, it limits your options for expanding your rig later on. So, if there is even the slightest possibility that you will need to push more air down the road, I'd get the 8ohm. You will get 85-90% of the performance of the 4ohm version, and leave your options open for down the road.

 

[J. Crawford]

As they have said, it all depends on whether you want to add on or not. If youre happy with the 210, and dont plan to expand anytime soon then go for the 4. IF you would rather add on another cab, then keep the 8.

I got a 210 Avatar and love it, the 8 ohms is plenty enough atm, but I can add on whenever I need.

 

[Goodlawdy]

You definitely did the right thing. You may want to play in a room where two 10's won't cut it, but two 10's and a 15 will!!

 

[Mark Plays Bass]

Thanks for your feedback. I really appreciate it!

 

[ML2600]

I was puzzled by the exact same question when I brought my first MarkBass cabinet. I started out by getting the Standard 102HF in 4 ohm – I was so happy about its sound that I didn't paid any attention to the impedance. After a few days I realized my mistake (the expansion dead-end with a LMII top) and swapped it in for the 8 ohm version instead and added the Traveler 102P (8ohm) to my rig at the same time. Unfortunately, I didn't had the 4 and 8 at the same time for a real A-B test – but to me they sounds identical though that I agree with Kjung that the 4 ohm must play a bit higher at the same setting for theoretical reasons.

I have been browsing the web for a good description on the difference between a 8 and a 4 ohm driver (which otherwise is identical) but I haven't really found any. My own best bed is that the manufacture somehow manage to wind up some more copper (aluminum in this B&G case) on the voice coil so that the resistance goes up - but I have no clue about how this might change the tone (comments are welcome). Regardless of this, both the 4 and 8 ohm will have the same sensitivity 101 db (SPL) in this case – so, 1 watt will play equally high no matter which cabinet you send it to (but you amp will see less resistance from a 4 ohm and the deliver more watts to this ... before the amp dies). With two (2x10") 8 ohm cabinets in serial you are back in 4 ohm total and in my opinion that will play much louder than a single 2x10 box in 4 ohm.

The reason why I decided to go for the double cabinet solution (102HF+102P) was exactly a combination of more power and added bottom from the HF together with the full flexibility. The 102P you can swing in one hand, place the MKII amp in your bass gig-bag and you can go by public transportation – amazing!

The Traveler 102P is great and the 8 ohm is the right decision – then you can add the 102HF or a 115p if you need it.