• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Orange OB1-500 safe to connect to Orange OBC-115 cabinet?

purplehearted

purplehearted

Mar 27, 2020
97
129
#1
Hello there,
I am considering buying an Orange OB1-500 head and connect it to a Orange OBC-115 cabinet. However, the head is 500w and the speaker 400w at 8 ohm. The head has a 4ohm and 8ohm output possibility.

Normally I wouldn't run 500w power into a 400w speaker, however since it's not a 4ohm speaker, can I conclude that I'll practically run 500w/2=250w into the 400w speaker? And therefore it is safe to use this combination?
 
#2
purplehearted said:
Hello there,
I am considering buying an Orange OB1-500 head and connect it to a Orange OBC-115 cabinet. However, the head is 500w and the speaker 400w at 8 ohm. The head has a 4ohm and 8ohm output possibility.

Normally I wouldn't run 500w power into a 400w speaker, however since it's not a 4ohm speaker, can I conclude that I'll practically run 500w/2=250w into the 400w speaker? And therefore it is safe to use this combination?
Click to expand...
Reading the specs on their website or Thoman's, I'm not sure it runs at 250w @8ohms. Class D amps usually have this kind of specs where the power @8ohms is almost half of power @4ohms. But this amp is class AB, not D, so it could be also 500W @8ohms.

But I think it is safe anyway, just don't max the volume.

I'm using a 450W@8ohms head in a 250W@8ohms cab without issue, I just never push the master volume more than 50% and I'm fine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lammchop93
#3
It's a solid state amp, at higher impedance you'll have reduced output. The single 8 ohm cab should be fine, expect output from the amp to be in the 250-300 watt range. Well within the thermal handling limit of the cab.

Keep in mind you can also damage the speaker through over excursion at power levels below the thermal limit. If it's a loud band and you're running the volume and low frequency eq very high listen for speaker stress.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OzzeAsjourne, MDBass and Old Garage-Bander
#4
Unfortunately, the manual doesn't provide any indication of power output vs speaker impedance. They just say to not connect anything that results in an impedance less than 4 Ohms. And don't mix cabs with different impedances.

OB1-300/500 Manual – Orange Amps

Many solid state amps, regardless of class provide less power at 8 Ohms than at 4. That range might be anywhere from half power, to possibly approaching 80%.

And yes as previously mentioned, it is still possible to exceed low frequency excursion of the speaker, even though you are not maxing out the cab's rated power.

As long as you don't crank the volume too much and keep a keen ear listening for signs of speaker stress, (farting out) you should be OK. A second cab like the one you have now will allow for the amp's full potential.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gtirard
#5
Yes it is totally safe,just dont turn it up full blast! I use a 800 watt head into a 400 watt cab all the time,just be smart about it and have realistic expectations.
20210305_131936.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: JC Nelson, Old Garage-Bander and gtirard
#6
Old Garage-Bander said:
Unfortunately, the manual doesn't provide any indication of power output vs speaker impedance. They just say to not connect anything that results in an impedance less than 4 Ohms. And don't mix cabs with different impedances.

OB1-300/500 Manual – Orange Amps

Many solid state amps, regardless of class provide less power at 8 Ohms than at 4. That range might be anywhere from half power, to possibly approaching 80%.

And yes as previously mentioned, it is still possible to exceed low frequency excursion of the speaker, even though you are not maxing out the cab's rated power.

As long as you don't crank the volume too much and keep a keen ear listening for signs of speaker stress, (farting out) you should be OK. A second cab like the one you have now will allow for the amp's full potential.
Click to expand...
Agree, but Agedhorse would reply that some cabs don't give you signs before failure
 
  • Like
Reactions: agedhorse, Old Garage-Bander, wcriley and 1 other person
#9
purplehearted said:
Hello there,
I am considering buying an Orange OB1-500 head and connect it to a Orange OBC-115 cabinet. However, the head is 500w and the speaker 400w at 8 ohm. The head has a 4ohm and 8ohm output possibility.

Normally I wouldn't run 500w power into a 400w speaker, however since it's not a 4ohm speaker, can I conclude that I'll practically run 500w/2=250w into the 400w speaker? And therefore it is safe to use this combination?
Click to expand...

If you email Orange they can probably tell you what the output is at 8 ohms.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BarfanyShart and Sands
#10
purplehearted said:
Hello there,
I am considering buying an Orange OB1-500 head and connect it to a Orange OBC-115 cabinet. However, the head is 500w and the speaker 400w at 8 ohm. The head has a 4ohm and 8ohm output possibility.

Normally I wouldn't run 500w power into a 400w speaker, however since it's not a 4ohm speaker, can I conclude that I'll practically run 500w/2=250w into the 400w speaker? And therefore it is safe to use this combination?
Click to expand...

I would have no clue as to how much power that cab is going to see from that amp with an 8ohm load. Personally, I'd refer to the owners manual for that information.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Old Garage-Bander
#18
JC Nelson said:
This question was asked by DooMonkey in the following thread in 2020.
OB1-500 Wattage FYI

The response from Orange:

The OB1-500 will produce 500W @ 4 Ohms and around 350W @ 8 Ohms. A pair of 400W 8 Ohm cabinets will be suitable for your amp. Our OBC112 lightweight cab is rated at 400W and 8 Ohms - in case you want to consider it.
Click to expand...
I was just about to post this! Beat me to the punch.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JC Nelson
#19
JC Nelson said:
This question was asked by DooMonkey in the following thread in 2020.
OB1-500 Wattage FYI

The response from Orange:

The OB1-500 will produce 500W @ 4 Ohms and around 350W @ 8 Ohms. A pair of 400W 8 Ohm cabinets will be suitable for your amp. Our OBC112 lightweight cab is rated at 400W and 8 Ohms - in case you want to consider it.
Click to expand...
Hi, Orange. We have a LBT with an OBC112 and have just taken receipt of an OBC115 to go with it BUT there's no instruction as to which of the x2 cabinet ports to connect to (from reading they seem to be for daisy chaining but what would be best - series or parallel?). Thank you
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back