Ohm Question

[RichyB.]

Hi all,

Thanks for everyone's input with regards to which Bass Amp Head I should go for.

I've decided on the Hartke LH500. Mainly because its the cheapest out of the lot and still providing me with 500watts of power.

With regards to cabs, I was thinking about saving up for the Hartke 4.5xl cab which seems to be getting good reviews from here.

The question I have is regarding ohm levels. From what I can see, the Harke LH500 provides 500watts at 4 ohms. Most of the cabs I look at seem to be 8 ohm so would that mean that I would only be running my head at full power if I bought a 4 ohm cab?

Again, sorry for the n00b question. Its quite confusing this amp stuff you know!

 

[lz4005]

The output will be less watts into an 8 ohm cab than into a 4 ohm cab.
Probably in the 300 to 400 watt range.

 

[BassmanPaul]

You most likely wouldn't hear the difference between a 4Ω and an otherwise identical 8Ω cabinet.

 

[FunkHead]

You most likely wouldn't hear the difference between a 4Ω and an otherwise identical 8Ω cabinet.

This But....You would hear a huge difference if you added a second 8 Ohm Cab down the road resulting a total load of 4 Ohms.

 

[BassmanPaul]

This But....You would hear a huge difference if you added a second 8 Ohm Cab down the road resulting a total load of 4 Ohms.

I guess I should of mentioned that!

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I guess I should of mentioned that!

If you're going to add another cabinet in parallel you should have mentioned it, LOL.

You can get your impedance back to 4 Ohms by adding another 8 Ohm cabinet.

Here is the formula for running them in parallel:

If you want 4 Ohms out of two 8 Ohm cabinets, it would work.

1/8 + 1/8 = 2/8 = 1/4 which is then inverted to equal 4/1 = 4 Ohms of impedance

If you run a single 8 Ohm cabinet, you only get 70% of the power, so 350 watts into 8 Ohms.

 

[RichyB.]

Thanks for the advice! Planning on getting the Hartke 4.5xl to go with the Hartke LH500. Eventually, when I've got enough dolla, I might pick up another!

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I've got the same issue. My amp is 200 watts to 4 Ohms, but my cabinet is 8 Ohms, so I only really get 140 watts out of it.

 

[dreamadream99]

The Hartke head has 2 speaker outputs. If you put an 8 Ohm cabinet into each, you will have the 4 Ohms necessary to achieve maximum wattage. Do not mix an 8 Ohm with a 4 Ohm cabinet. The result is less than 3 Ohms, and could harm the amplifier.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Hmm,

1/8 + 1/4 = 3/8, inverted = 8/3 = 2.67 Ohms.

Yeah, you don't want that!

 

[BassmanPaul]

As I've said before the difference between an 8Ω cabinet and an otherwise identical 4Ω cabinet is barely perceptible. It's when you add a second cabinet that the "magic" happens.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

It's when you ass a second cabinet that the "magic" happens.

Not sure why he would do that.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Not sure why he would do that.

It's corrected already!!! Stop being picky!!

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Just adding a little ass to the thread, LOL

 

[Pudge Fish]

As an aside, the Orange Terror Bass 500 has switchable impedance which will give you full 500 watts at either 4 or 8 ohms, but is a distinct sound. Maybe other amps offer something similar. Sorry if this isn't a welcome direction of info.

 

[edencab]

As an aside, the Orange Terror Bass 500 has switchable impedance which will give you full 500 watts at either 4 or 8 ohms, but is a distinct sound. Maybe other amps offer something similar. Sorry if this isn't a welcome direction of info.

true enough on the ohms......also,I think it has a great sound, warm, rich, deep, or bright if I want.......powerful as hell......as for its distinct sound I see lots of people say that, like it is way out in left field, I disagree.....I say it is a solid "bass" sounding amp...too bad it is discontinued

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Yeah, too bad.

 

[edencab]

Yeah, too bad.

yup, spotted the typo

 

[Pudge Fish]

true enough on the ohms......also,I think it has a great sound, warm, rich, deep, or bright if I want.......powerful as hell......as for its distinct sound I see lots of people say that, like it is way out in left field, I disagree.....I say it is a solid "bass" sounding amp...to bad it is discontinued

Cant believe they discontinued it! Glad I sold the Tone Hammer and not the Terror Bass! And I agree that it's a solid bass sound and not overly "distinct". I love it's simplicity and tone. I read somewhere that it's best for people needing "coarse adjustments" because of it's baked-in tone. The Terror Bass 1000 with a pair of fEARful 15/6s will liquefy your innards!

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I was going to buy a Micro Terror until I found out it wasn't a tube amp. It had me fooled.
Then I tried the Hughes & Kettner & was sold.