Mixing cab question

[LaklandLaksNADA]

Hey guys.

I've been doing a lot of reading regarding mixing cabs.

I understand the reasoning behind matching speaker configs. how the power is dispersed evenly two two cabs, so if you have a 410 each speaker is getting even power while a 210 has the same amount going to only two speakers, thus pushing them harder than the 410.

What i cannot find (probably due to the common keywords in my search) is whether or not this is any problem or danger if the 210's power rating is more than enough for the power being given out from the head.

It seems to me that as long as you're not right on the line of handling then the 210 shouldn't be wrecked unless I'm missing something ?

If a 210 cabinet is say, 600w and the amp only pushes out 350w is ther ever really a danger of pushing it to damage?

If theres a direct link to a thread where this specific aspect is explained please link to it. I couldn't find it.

Thanks in advance

 

[basscooker]

That is really and FYI statement, really. If the cabs can handle what you're giving them then cool.

Thing is you might not hear physical limits signs of stress while the bigger cab is roaring away. The cab is rated electrically, not mechanically.

 

[Downunderwonder]

If your cabs are equal impedance the overall sensitivity doesn't increase very much. Half your power is going to ( generally ) a much lower sensitivity cab.

If you balance the impedances to the power handling the sensitivity increases even less but at least you can pump power at it.

 

[LaklandLaksNADA]

That is really and FYI statement, really. If the cabs can handle what you're giving them then cool.

Thing is you might not hear physical limits signs of stress while the bigger cab is roaring away. The cab is rated electrically, not mechanically.

Just trying to make sure theres not something glaringly obvious I'm missing

 

[basscooker]

A lot of the time, the statement is specific to caution against setting a 410 on top of a 115.

 

[basscooker]

What are your specific cabs and amp? What is the end goal?

 

[BasturdBlaster]

A 4ohm 410 and an 8ohm 210 would be ideal except the total would be 2.7ohms

 

[Stevorebob]

I think the question is, what do you want to achieve? Then try out and purchase the cabs that get you there, rather than assembling a collection of sundry cabs one happened upon. It seems some arrive at their mixed cab portfolios following the latter method.

 

[LaklandLaksNADA]

I think the question is, what do you want to achieve? Then try out and purchase the cabs that get you there, rather than assembling a collection of sundry cabs one happened upon. It seems some arrive at their mixed cab portfolios following the latter method.

It's a matter of whether or not i keep and use a cab already in my possession tbh. If I purchase anything else itll be matching

 

[Stevorebob]

It's a matter of whether or not i keep and use a cab already in my possession tbh. If I purchase anything else itll be matching

If the impedance and power handling are suitable, give it a try.

 

[walterw]

What i cannot find (probably due to the common keywords in my search) is whether or not this is any problem or danger if the 210's power rating is more than enough for the power being given out from the head.

It seems to me that as long as you're not right on the line of handling then the 210 shouldn't be wrecked unless I'm missing something ?

not at all, if the power numbers show that you're way safe then you're likely way safe, unless you run with stupid volume and low end boosting.

this argument always gets mis-characterized as "mixing cabs will cause all the dishes in your house to break and also makes the baby jesus cry"

the actual argument is that mixed cabs may not be as good as equal size and quality matched cabs, that's it.

 

[BogeyBass]

Total impedance is more a concern. Most amps have 4 ohm min.

Likewise as far as sensitivity 2x10 and 1x15 roughly equal.

The analogy is often applied to the typical setup of the 80s / 90s and it was extremely common for the 15" to blow.
with a 4x10 and 1x15. sensitivity of the smaller cabinet is lower doesnt really add much to overall SPL. Likewise will be overpowered expecting it to keep up with a cabinet with 2x the sensitivity.

Roughly same situation, 2x10 doesnt add much to the overall sound of a 4x10.

then again 350 watts doesnt impose much danger to the system. just depends really the total impedance and if lower than 4 ohms.
Is your amp capable of 2ohms and likewise is the extra heat and risk worth it.

ive had 2 ohm amps tube and solid state. likewise bridged power amps that could do 4 ohms, meaning each amp is seeing half the load. so brigded at 4ohms is essentially 2 amplifiers capable of 2 ohms.

anyways point is i usually dont like the feel of a amp at 2 ohms regardless if it can do it or not. and i havent found a tube amp that doesnt feel different and a bit spongy at 2 ohms tap. at least under high power

 

[LaklandLaksNADA]

The impedance is fine. Just feels like there's a hard camp of "never mix" so I wanted to make sure safety wise it was ok.

Whether or not it sounds good or adds to it is TBD.

Personally, I dont like what a 410 115 combo does to the sound. Though this is a generalization I'm sure some do pair well, the overwhelming number I've seen and tried dont.

 

[two fingers]

The impedance is fine. Just feels like there's a hard camp of "never mix" so I wanted to make sure safety wise it was ok.

Whether or not it sounds good or adds to it is TBD.

Personally, I dont like what a 410 115 combo does to the sound. Though this is a generalization I'm sure some do pair well, the overwhelming number I've seen and tried dont.

Clarify your goals.

Are you going for more volume? If so, you may be undoing your intent. By running the 2-10hard and the 4-10 not very hard, you aren't getting everything you could from the 4-10. So you are likely canceling out any volume gains supposedly achieved by adding the second cab. If you simply got everything available out of the 4-10, it would likely be just as loud. If you sold the 2-10 to finance some great drivers (using physics to determine WHICH drivers) you would likely get better results.

To stick completely to your narrow question, you likely won't damage the 2-10 as long as you use your head and your ears.

But it still won't gain you much, if anything.

What two cabs are we talking about?

 

[Stewie]

If you have the cabs and the impedance works, try it. If it sounds good, it's good. I rocked the evil Ampeg 410 over a 15 and it sounded great (yes, the 15 will blow long before the 410 strains, but I don't break windows, so I don't care)

I finally replaced the 410 with another 15, just because it was too darn heavy and I'm too darn old

 

[lfmn16]

Just feels like there's a hard camp of "never mix" so I wanted to make sure safety wise it was ok.

I've never seen that here on TB. I've heard people mischaracterize what other people are saying, but I don't think any one is saying NEVER mix cabinets.

 

[jazzyvee]

i have not experienced this personally, but have read that mixing cabs from different manufacturers there is a risk that they may be wired out of phase.

 

[InhumanResource]

I've never seen that here on TB. I've heard people mischaracterize what other people are saying, but I don't think any one is saying NEVER mix cabinets.

Occasionally someone says it but you're right. It isn't that it can't work, it's just that you get more complexities and thus more opportunities to not reach "what I want". Complex absolutely can work but simple is always more practical!

 

[jlepre]

I always thought it was more of how would the pair SOUND together. The 410 would have 2x the surface are, making the 210 sound anemic. Right?


Of course the 210 could have drivers with more SPL to help make that difference less glaring.

 

[micguy]

A 4ohm 410 and an 8ohm 210 would be ideal except the total would be 2.7ohms

If you want to stack a 410 and a 210, you're better off designing the 410 for 8 ohms, and the 210 for 16. Easy to do with 8 ohm drivers - the 410 gets wired as a series/parallel circuit, and the 210 gets wired as two 8 ohm drivers in series.

Still if I wanted six 10's in an array, I'd make three 210 cabinets, and wire them all as 16 ohm cabinets. Lots of flexibility - take what you need, no more, and I wouldn't have to lift anything that heavy. You could even make 4 boxes, if you ever wanted an 810 array.