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New TC BAM200 micro head.
- Thread starter Scottkarch
- Start date
Thank you, @4stringjim! Great info, and thank you for keeping your comments on the power rating as objective as possible. There are so many variables that affect how loud an amplifier sounds other than the power output (taper of the audio pots, built in EQ curves, compressors, etc.), and people often jump to conclusions about the power output based on highly subjective experiences, sometimes without even being aware of the variables, let alone controlling for them in a laboratory setting. (I'm not saying subjective reviews aren't valuable, or that experienced players and technicians can't make good judgements based personal experiences. It's just that power output seems particularly tricky to gauge). To clarify, based on your bench tests and experience, do you think 200W is fair? It sounds to me like this likely a "program" or "music" rating, so somewhere between peak and RMS.
The EQ scoop you describe sounds very similar to the TE Elf. There are response curves posted in the Elf thread.
The EQ scoop you describe sounds very similar to the TE Elf. There are response curves posted in the Elf thread.
4stringjim
Commercial User
IMO , based on my measurements, I can say that the Bam 200’s performance is accurately represented by the document Elias86 linked to from TC Electronics website. So, is 200 watts a “fair” claim? Well, it’s not un-fair...especially considering the price and performance! It works for me and I am happy with the amp.
I emailed Trace Elliot and visited their web, and that is what 30 watts means
And the Elf has real 200W continuously which is not the peak power.
Right. I'm not sure if my original post was clear, but I was pointing out that the rating on the back of the amp is some fraction of the max output power. Just because it says 30W on the back of the Elf doesn't mean that it is not a 200W amp (Nor is it a perpetual motion machine. It's just how the ratings are done).
Likewise, just because the TC BAM200 says it consumes 60W, doesn't means it's not a 200W amp.
Likewise, just because the TC BAM200 says it consumes 60W, doesn't means it's not a 200W amp.
Yeah, so I just sold my elf and keep using my warwick LWA1000, with 1200W power into the unit. Don't care about the elf any more and fear none with 1000 watts in my hand
Some brands do this cheating, and one of the most famous is G-K. MB 800 is actually a 560W amp.
——2019/06/08——
SORRY IM WRONG, SORRY TO G-K
The 560W is the power into 8Ω, rather than the rated power.
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You'll see a similar input/power draw rating on all class D amps. Class D does not work on a 1 watt in/1 watt out premise. It's safe to say it's a 200W amp, but the 200W output is assuming a 4 Ohm load--that's what "200W max" means; at 8 Ohms, it's probably putting out around 130W. (And those ratings should be continuous, not peak.)
You can't do any better for power to weight ratio than the LWA1000. I'm surprised it's not more popular. Sounds like an awesome amp to me.Yeah, so I just sold my elf and keep using my warwick LWA1000, with 1200W power into the unit. Don't care about the elf any more and fear none with 1000 watts in my hand
Some brands do this cheating, and one of the most famous is G-K. MB 800 is actually a 560W amp.
I'm surprised to hear that about GK, though. I was under the impression they had a pretty good reputation for accurate power ratings.
It's 560W into an 8 ohm load, 800w into a 4 ohm load. Almost all amps have their power ratings listed at their minimum load.Yeah, so I just sold my elf and keep using my warwick LWA1000, with 1200W power into the unit. Don't care about the elf any more and fear none with 1000 watts in my hand
Some brands do this cheating, and one of the most famous is G-K. MB 800 is actually a 560W amp.
4stringjim
Commercial User
Update on the BAM200; I used it on a gig (same band etc) this past week end with a single 2X10 8 ohm cab and by the end of the second set I was wanting my regular amp back. I could have kept using it but I was hitting the limiter and I don't like the feel when that happens. Bottom line; I still like it as a back-up but with only one 8 ohm cab it runs out of headroom real fast. I didn't feel that when I used it with 2 X 8 ohm cabs in parallel (4 ohm total load) at 200 watts. In the end the amp at 8 ohms and one cab is marginal. I still like it for what it is...going in I expected it to serve a back-up role and it is good for that.
4stringjim
Commercial User
The band is guitar, bass, drums and singer. We play classic rock with some dance material, VH, Led Zep, AC/DC is the later sets. We use the typical FOH speaker with floor wedges. I wear ear plugs as does the guitarist and the singer uses in ears. So we can get "loud" but, respectfully so, depending on the venue.
