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More Watts vs More Speakers

insomniac2295

insomniac2295

Dec 12, 2007
2,515
28
Minneapolis, MN
#1
I am currently using an Avatar 410 and putting 700 watts into it at 2 ohms. If I add a 210, I'll have to wire it back for 8 ohms and get an 8 ohm 210 so I'll only be able to put 475 watts into it with a 4 ohm load. Which is going to do the most to increase my volume? Add more speakers, or add more watts?
 
#3
generally speaking, more speakers equals more volume, but that is provided that you have enough power to drive them. i think you are better off standing pat, i would stick with 700 watts going into one cab as opposed to sharing 475 between 2 cabs. i don't think 2 more speakers is going to make a huge increase in volume.
 
#7
Something to else to consider is that this config may sound a bit unbalanced. If the 4x10 and the 2x10 are both 8-ohms, each speaker in the 2x10 will be getting more watts than each speaker in the 4x10.

For example, your amp puts out 475 watts at 4-ohms...so that's 237.5 watts per cabinet. Each speaker in the 2x10 will get ~119 watts, while each speaker in the 4x10 will only get ~60 watts.

I'm not saying if this will sound good or bad, but something to think about...
 
#8
eshears said:
Something to else to consider is that this config may sound a bit unbalanced. If the 4x10 and the 2x10 are both 8-ohms, each speaker in the 2x10 will be getting more watts than each speaker in the 4x10.

For example, your amp puts out 475 watts at 4-ohms...so that's 237.5 watts per cabinet. Each speaker in the 2x10 will get ~119 watts, while each speaker in the 4x10 will only get ~60 watts.

I'm not saying if this will sound good or bad, but something to think about...
Click to expand...

hmmm I hadn't even considered that. I don't really know how that would effect me/my tone or what have you. Would anyone like to chime in?
 
#9
I personally don't think you'll hear the difference and I don't think it will be an issue either, but be aware of the fact so that if you are driving the rig to it's max, keep an ear out for the 210 to start distorting first... so maybe put it on the top so it's closer to your ears

another 410 of the same make would be preferable (power distribution wise) but many people run the exact rig you are discussing with absolutely no problems
 
#11
Ahh yes, the pesky Peavey Firebass/Max 700 speaker selection quandry. Been there, done that. Sell the 4x10 and get a pair of 4 ohm Avatar 2x12's. You can't really take full advantage of the 4x10's with "only" 350 watts powering each one anyway, and 4 ohm 2x10's (and 1x12"s) aren't big enough for use by themselves anyway. That's what I would do.
 
#12
Son of Bovril said:
I personally don't think you'll hear the difference and I don't think it will be an issue either, but be aware of the fact so that if you are driving the rig to it's max, keep an ear out for the 210 to start distorting first... so maybe put it on the top so it's closer to your ears

another 410 of the same make would be preferable (power distribution wise) but many people run the exact rig you are discussing with absolutely no problems
Click to expand...

I did it for one gig. It was not a problem but the 2x10 was louder than the 4x10. There was no balance control as my amp was mono. It was noticeably louder than the 4x10. The sound was unbalanced. One cab is coasting and the other is working. I never did it again. I would use two 4x10s or use just one rather then do that again.
 
#13
insomniac2295 said:
I am currently using an Avatar 410 and putting 700 watts into it at 2 ohms. If I add a 210, I'll have to wire it back for 8 ohms and get an 8 ohm 210 so I'll only be able to put 475 watts into it with a 4 ohm load. Which is going to do the most to increase my volume? Add more speakers, or add more watts?
Click to expand...

Take your 2 ohm 4x10, set it next to a, (let's say), a 4 ohm Ampeg SVT 8x10.
Play through the 4x10 only. You're getting 700 watts into the 4x10.
Now plug your head into the 8x10. Your now getting 475 watts, but I think you'll find your sound will be louder and fuller with more speakers even though your getting less power.
I'd suggest with that head to get the most from it, two 4 ohm cabinets.
I ran a G.K. 800, (300 watts into 4 ohms), into a 4 ohm Ampeg SVT 8x10 for many years....never had a problem with volume.
The secret is to have enough speakers running for the power you have to work with.
 
#16
insomniac2295 said:
I am currently using an Avatar 410 and putting 700 watts into it at 2 ohms. If I add a 210, I'll have to wire it back for 8 ohms and get an 8 ohm 210 so I'll only be able to put 475 watts into it with a 4 ohm load. Which is going to do the most to increase my volume? Add more speakers, or add more watts?
Click to expand...

I cant imagine why you would need more than that. I hope you are using good earplugs. FWIW, I saw Skylark, the bass player for the Doobie Bros. Playing , only thru a 410 at a local concert. There is a wonderful little device you should learn about. Its called a D.I. to the FOH. You can see the specs of my rig. I could play anywhere with anybody w/ that rig and its less watts and speaker area than yours. Tremendous stage volume is a bad bad bad thing . Nothing positive can come from it and it will lead to permanent hearing loss and possibly global warming.
 
#17
jtc_hunter said:
I cant imagine why you would need more than that. I hope you are using good earplugs.
Click to expand...

I was kind of talking about this in one of my threads a while back. I remember being at the fair one summer years ago, when I could hear and feel a low, pulsing bassline, coming from somewhere. Finally after walking all over the fairgrounds, I found the source (which turned out to be clear across from where I had initially heard it.) A chevy silverado with 12-12" subwoofers, with the volume turned down so low that I stuck my head inside the truck and visualized the 12 subs, and I thought to myself that it wasn't even as loud as one would have it when driving. There is a such thing as IMPACT vs. loudness. When people talk about usable excursion from drivers, it is always at a much lower wattage than the speaker can handle. To get impact at lower volumes, you need enough watts and more drivers. Think of big concerts, often they aren't really that loud, but tons of drivers, operating at optimum excursion, equals big impact.
 
#18
jtc_hunter said:
I cant imagine why you would need more than that. I hope you are using good earplugs.
Click to expand...

Main reason I play at these volumes is because a few of the venues my band plays frequently don't have adequate pa systems. Most of the time they're just used for vocals and occasionally to mic the kick drum. Generally, these aren't large venues by any respect but, they still soak up my bass.
 
#20
I found out at my first gig that more speakers>more watts when it comes to volume.

The other guy had an SVT450 450W at 4 ohms, and an 810.

I had my Hartke through a 210, so 500W at 4 ohms.

I was barely audible once everything got going, he was drowning everyone out. I think I'm gonna run through the PA next time...


Speakers definitely.
 

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