Mesa WD800 ohm question

[kcducttaper]

I just bought my first piece of Mesa gear, a WD800, and am super stoked to get it out for a test drive when it gets here!

For cabs, I have 2x Markbass 102HF (210's) and also 2x Markbass 151HR (115's). They're all 8 ohm cabs, so I can run cabs separately, stack a 210 on a 115 at a 4 ohm load or I can stack all 4 cabs together at a 2 ohm load.

My question is, since the WD800 can handle 2 ohms, but it's a switch on the back, would I be in any danger of frying anything if I were to run 3 of my cabs (say a 210 on top of 2x 115's) for a total impedance of 2.67 ohms as long as I make sure to have the switch in the 2 ohm setting? My assumption is that I could run even a 4 or 8 ohm load on the '2 ohm' setting without any trouble other than losing amplifier efficiency, but figured it was worth an ask.

 

[agedhorse]

No problem running the amp in 2 ohm mode with a 2.67 ohm load.

This might be helpful:

 

[Al Kraft]

Mic drop....end of thread!

 

[Old Fart]

Yeah, but does Andy really know what he's talking about?

Just kidding Andy! Just kidding!

 

[Al Kraft]

Yeah, but does Andy really know what he's talking about?

Just kidding Andy! Just kidding!

Even if he was guessing...and he's not!...I would take his track record on being right any day of the week.

 

[dbase]

No problem running the amp in 2 ohm mode with a 2.67 ohm load.

This might be helpful:
View attachment 4439729

I'm thinking the amps putting out 400 watts into an 8 ohm load. What do you get if you set the switch for 2 ohms with a Subway 8 ohm 115 cab.

 

[joel406]

I'm thinking the amps putting out 400 watts into an 8 ohm load. What do you get if you set the switch for 2 ohms with a Subway 8 ohm 115 cab.

It reduces output power. Not sure by how much. I hear it's used in these cases to make it easier to drive the amp harder (into distortion) quicker with still a healthy dose of power on tap. @agedhorse would be able to help better with this.

 

[dbase]

It reduces output power. Not sure by how much. I hear it's used in these cases to make it easier to drive the amp harder (into distortion) quicker with still a healthy dose of power on tap. @agedhorse would be able to help better with this.

That's why I turned on the bat signal for him to respond.. Just mention anything Mesa.

 

[agedhorse]

I'm thinking the amps putting out 400 watts into an 8 ohm load. What do you get if you set the switch for 2 ohms with a Subway 8 ohm 115 cab.

About 300 watts

 

[dbase]

About 300 watts

Thank you sir.

 

[bleedthisfreak]

@agedhorse I apologize for reviving a zombie thread, but this came closest to answering my question while not quite getting there. I just purchased the WD800 as well. I currently have an 8 ohm 410 cabinet, and am running the head at the correct 4/8ohm impedance. If I wanted lower output so I can turn the amp up a bit more could I safely switch the impedance selector to 2ohms without damaging anything? It would just reduce the wattage coming from the head correct?

 

[bleedthisfreak]

Oh wait, I missed the bit about the 8ohm subway 115. Apologies!

 

[agedhorse]

The 8 ohm 410 would receive 300 watts with the amp's switch set to 2 ohms.

 

[Ander87]

@agedhorse quick silly question, sorry to revive the zombie thread (but better than opening a new one).

How’d be the output for a 4 ohm cab (barefaced 210) on the 2 ohm switch setting?

thanks!

Ander.

 

[agedhorse]

@agedhorse quick silly question, sorry to revive the zombie thread (but better than opening a new one).

How’d be the output for a 4 ohm cab (barefaced 210) on the 2 ohm switch setting?

thanks!

Ander.

About 600 watts.

 

[Ander87]

Thank you so very much good sir!

 

[Parzival]

I have some outdoor gigs this summer and am excited to run my WD800 with my Subway 215 and pair of Hartke 210s. Switch to 2 ohm of course.

I’m wondering what the best sound disbursement will be. Maybe the 210s stacked in normal horizontal position on top of the 215 or the 210s stacked vertically next to the 215.

 

[Coot]

Because it sounds great , I often run my WD800 set to 2 ohms into a stack of Ampeg SVT 210AV's . They are rated @ 200 watts at 8 ohms. The Mesa is then down to 600 Watts and being careful with the master volume, HPF and damping features on the Mesa , they sound awesome. I stack the 2x10's vertically. The Mesa fits perfectly on top. Although I have the Subway 1x15's,I really like the Ampegs with the WD800 as well.

 

[dbase]

I have some outdoor gigs this summer and am excited to run my WD800 with my Subway 215 and pair of Hartke 210s. Switch to 2 ohm of course.

I’m wondering what the best sound disbursement will be. Maybe the 210s stacked in normal horizontal position on top of the 215 or the 210s stacked vertically next to the 215.

 

[Frank Palumbo]

Following the impedance chart above, is this using both speakons on the back of the amp? Or daisy chained?

Example: top speakon to an 8 ohm cab, bottom speakon to a 4 ohm cab.

Still switch to 2 ohms on the back of the amp?