Mesa Power Ratings

[57pbass]

I’m using 2 Subway 15’s with the WD800 and my newly acquired 800+.
They work beautifully as a standalone and for larger stages I use both.
I also use Bag End cabinets with the heads and they also work great.

I had Barefaced cabinets but they didn’t work for me and I quickly sold them.

 

[Marko 1]

Aren't the Powerhouse cabs kinda on the heavy side?

If that's important to the OP.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

What you can do for added safety is to set the amp into 2 ohm mode which reduced the rated power to 300 watts at 8 ohms and 600 watts at 4 ohms.

Easy solution.

Nothing like having the man who designed your amp give your the answer @Ricoco! Straight from the "horse's mouth"

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hi all, absolutely loving my WD800. Currently running a Berg HDN212, which it sounds glorious through, but would love a matching mesa 2x112 set up. Subway cabinets are virtually nonexistent here in Aus. A couple of used powerhouses have come up I’ve got my eye on, but just realising these cabs are only rated at 300w each, so I’ll be “overpowering” the cabs, both with the head at 400w for a single cab set up and 800 for 2 @ 4ohm (600w). At present with the berg, I don’t push the amp past noon, even when I had a berg 112, it didn’t have to work too hard. Could I assume the same with the powerhouses and potentially run this safely? Or is it just not worth it? Thanks all.

Yeah, it's safe. You could run that cab at full blast, and it would never know it

 

[agedhorse]

Yeah, it's safe. You could run that cab at full blast, and it would never know it

No, this is poor advice (unless he wants to discover that his currently working drivers are no longer available and the replacement drivers are fairly expensive).

I know his amp and his current cabinets well, I also know their limitations.

 

[agedhorse]

Aren't the Powerhouse cabs kinda on the heavy side?

If that's important to the OP.

Yes, they are close to twice the weight of the Subway cabinets.

 

[g-dude]

Aren't the Powerhouse cabs kinda on the heavy side?

If that's important to the OP.

Kinda?

When GC sent me a powerhouse instead of a subway 115, the UPS shipping weight made me think o was getting a free cab.

My back still hurts after lugging it back to GC.

 

[Ricoco]

Yes, they are close to twice the weight of the Subway cabinets.

Yes thanks all, I think the PH112 is around 21kg correct? Yes it’s about the same weight as my single HDN212 which is manageable (and should be more so in a smaller box) definitely at a threshold for an easy load-in though!

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I don't know if this is useful for future reference for you or folk passing thru, but here's a chart that sorts the 2Ω or 4/8Ω settings.

Shows what power is available for different ohmic value single or multiple
cabinet combinations, depending on switch position. Also shows what combinations you shouldn't try LOL. Only applies to the 3 products listed on the chart.
View attachment 5150666

You're right, it's a nice feature. Nice versatility.

Very useful. Thanks.

 

[RevOgre]

What you can do for added safety is to set the amp into 2 ohm mode which reduced the rated power to 300 watts at 8 ohms and 600 watts at 4 ohms.

Easy solution.

If this something all or some amps can do or some wizard magic you designed into the Subway line?

 

[burgerdj]

Oof. Between this thread and my thread about a challenging outdoor gig, my wallet is gonna taking a beating from some new (to me) Mesa gear.

 

[agedhorse]

If this something all or some amps can do or some wizard magic you designed into the Subway line?

It’s specific to the Subway amps. Other amps may work similarly or not depending on their design.

 

[slagheap]

i go the 2 ohm setting with my Hathors, particularly with the 1506, which i specified at 4 ohms. even so i keep my fingers crossed. more's the pity, there aren't gonna' be any more Hathors.

 

[Dr. Gonzo82]

Nothing concrete, but I know they are currently being built for the EU

that’s great news, the Subway 2x15 is the only cab I would like to add to my arsenal.

My 400+ and traditional powerhouse 8x10 are still untouchable when playing rock or anything else with distorted guitars but since I started playing with effects I learned to appreciate ported designs.

The price will probably eye watering though. I don’t remember how much they were the last time they were available in the EU.

I know that Mesa gear is worth it, but how do I pitch it to my wife ?

 

[Bonecat]

If you’re going to search for Subway cabs, get a pair of the 115s. That cab is magic!

 

[slagbass]

I know that Mesa gear is worth it, but how do I pitch it to my wife ?

Of all the questions agedhorse has answered on this forum, I believe this is THE most difficult one.

Subscribed.

 

[Ricoco]

Thanks everyone, this has all been really helpful. I’ve found the two notes IR of the mesa PH212 and going to do some comparing with the WD800 DI out to the Bergantino IR I also have, just as a way to get some indication of what the tone is like before buying the cabs. Hopefully I’ll get the chance to do that over the next few days. That is hoping that 2x PH112s is somewhat similar to the PH212.

I really love the tone of my berg and totally agree, it seems silly to change things up if I’m content with the tone, but it’s hard not to scratch the itch of a matching rig. I’m reading mixed reviews on the PH112s, comments around the midrange being honky and low end lacking, would love to hear any first hand experiences, especially if someone has had the chance to compare them to the Berg neo lines and/or with a WD800? Thanks!

 

[Ricoco]

So I tried the two notes PH212 IR today and was super impressed. Can anyone shed light on 2x PH112s vs PH212 tone wise? Experience with berg cabs has shown minimal difference - but with guitar cabs for example, sometimes it’s drastic!

 

[dbase]

that’s great news, the Subway 2x15 is the only cab I would like to add to my arsenal.

My 400+ and traditional powerhouse 8x10 are still untouchable when playing rock or anything else with distorted guitars but since I started playing with effects I learned to appreciate ported designs.

The price will probably eye watering though. I don’t remember how much they were the last time they were available in the EU.

I know that Mesa gear is worth it, but how do I pitch it to my wife ?

When you discover a way to pitch it to the wife .. I will pay well for that info... Im in the same boat as you.....

 

[mikeswals]

I know that Mesa gear is worth it, but how do I pitch it to my wife ?

Pick up some more gigs and save the money.
All my gear is paid for from gigging...I dont use any paycheck $. So I also tend to not turn down any as long as I'm not already booked.

PS, I've also used my gig savings to pay for flights and vacations amd a car.
So my wife has ZERO input in what gear I buy.
ZERO.