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Ohms/volume?tone?

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by matt11, Jul 3, 2008.

  1. Jul 3, 2008 #1
    matt11

    matt11

    May 19, 2006
    Montreal
    I've done a search and read the FAQs, but haven't been able to find an answer to my question, or at least, not one I could follow. So here goes: all other things being equal, is the perceived volume/tone of a given output the same at 2ohms as at 4ohms as at 8ohms? I.E. In terms of perceived volume, is 300 watts at 2 ohms the same as 300 watts at 4 ohms or 300 watts at 8 ohms--to be a bit more concrete, let's say I was putting a Mesa 400+ into either a 4 ohms Eden 410xlt cab or else into an 8 ohms 410 xlt (or a 2 ohms 410 xlt if such a thing existed).

    a) Would the perceived volume be the same?
    b) Is tone affected?

    I ask because I've heard people claim that a particular ohm-age is somehow "better" than another, and I am currently debating getting a new big rig cab (412/810) for my 400+.
     
  2. Jul 3, 2008 #2
    mikezimmerman

    mikezimmerman Supporting Member

    Apr 29, 2001
    Omaha, Nebraska
    Watts are watts, at least when coming from the same head. The perceived volume of 300 watts going into an Eden 410XLT (to use your example) is the same whether the cabinet is 4 or 8 ohms, because the efficiency of the cab (dB/watt) is the same, and the amount of power is the same.

    Mike
     
  3. Jul 3, 2008 #3
    jsingles

    jsingles

    Aug 30, 2007
    Lowell/Amesbury Massachusetts
    I think the advantage to using cabinets wired for 4 or 2 ohms as opposed to 8, is that the lower the impedance, generally the more watts a typical bass amplifier will provide for the cabinet... as far as that making any difference towards its sound? I have no idea, i bet there is probably a difference in the signal somehow but I doubt it would make any practical difference to the sound of your rig..

    so i guess its all just to use the full potential of your amp, but otherwise no, theres no difference at all
     
  4. Jul 3, 2008 #4
    mikezimmerman

    mikezimmerman Supporting Member

    Apr 29, 2001
    Omaha, Nebraska
    That's true for solid state power amps, but not tube power amps like the Mesa 400+ has.

    Mike
     
  5. Jul 3, 2008 #5
    Nick Kay

    Nick Kay

    Jul 26, 2007
    Toronto, Ontario
    If the output transformer is properly designed and in good working order, all of the taps should sound the same. Electronically, there are differences (obviously: impedance), but audible differences should be slim to none.

    On the other hand, a poorly designed transformer (or one that has been damaged or drifted out of spec over the years) can have some very vast differences between impedance taps. A friend of mine has a Mesa Rectifier that has lost a ton of low-end and picks up radio stations on the 8ohm tap. This only happened after abusing it for three years straight with a 4ohm cab hooked up to the 16ohm output. The testament to Mesa Boogie's road-worthiness, though, is that the 4ohm and 16ohm taps still sound absolutely huge and are damn near noiseless.
     
  6. Jul 3, 2008 #6
    matt11

    matt11

    May 19, 2006
    Montreal
    Thanks for the responses. That's what I figured, but wanted to be sure.
     
  7. Jul 3, 2008 #7
    Rick Auricchio

    Rick Auricchio Registered Bass Offender Supporting Member

    Nov 27, 2007
    Cambria, CA (Central Coast)
    +1

    That said, a 2-ohm load will often cause the amp to run warmer. Some amps don't perform as cleanly at 2 ohms, but that difference is often minor.

    Also be advised that doubling your power only gets you 3dB louder. That's almost insignificant. (To double the volume, you'd need 10dB---10x the power.)