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Power amp question

u84six

u84six

Don't panic, the bass player is here!
Supporting Member
Nov 8, 2006
1,429
306
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#1
If an amp is 500W per channel 8 ohms, 750W per channel at 4 ohms, and 1000W+ bridged at 8 ohms, does that mean that I can't use 2 8 ohm cabs in bridged mode because now the impedance is divided by 2? If that's the case, then what I need is a power amp with decent wattage per channel @ 8 ohms and then bridges @ 4 ohms. I'm having a hard time finding that. What I'll have is 2 8 ohm cabs where I'll use one for rehearsal, and then 2 for gigs. I suppose I could use both 8 ohm channels, but I'd like to take advantage of more power at 4 ohms bridged for gigs. HELP! :)
 
#3
Ones that are safe at 2ohm/ch can be bridged at 4ohms. If the per/ch limit is 4, the bridge limit is 8. Although with 500watts/ch at 8ohms I'd just run one cab off each side. That's already more power than you could make use of.
 
#6
You should check out Carvin as well. They get a lot of love on here. The HD1500 is 1500w bridged at 4ohms and weighs 9 lbs. It'll only set you back about $320.

Crown XLS series is very nice and bridgable. Peaveys are IPR series is very good, too but I don't think they are bridgable.
 
#9
For anywhere near $1000 you can get far more power than you'd ever need, and bridgeable into any resistance you will need. PA amps are designed to drive far worse loads than a couple bass cabs.

As an example, $1000 gets you a Crown XTI 2 4002 this

It'll put 1600w per channel into a 2ohm load, and bridge into a 4ohm load at 3200w. The XLS 2000 or XTI2 1002 are half that, and probably more than enough for the majority of bassists. I love PA amps, so much wattage for so very little money. :D

And of course if you want something a bit heavier that'll drive from 1-16ohm loads there's this... :D
 
#12
u84six said:
a power amp with decent wattage per channel @ 8 ohms and then bridges @ 4 ohms. I'm having a hard time finding that.
Click to expand...

How can you be having a hard time? Almost every power amp out there can bridge into 4Ω!

I used my Carvin DCM1000L at a gig last night for the first time. It was wonderful. Easily kept up with the Mackie FR1400 it replaced at a fraction of the weight. Stone cold when I switched it on and just as cold when I switched it off several hours later. Driving an Acme B2 at 4Ω per channel.
 
#15
silky smoove said:
QSC PLX, Crown XLS, Peacey IPR, Carvin DCM... They all bridge to 4 ohms. I don't get why this search is so difficult.
Click to expand...

I'm definitely a noob when it comes to this. I'm just going by what I'm reading. Where does it say that these bridge at 4 ohms other than the XLS5000?

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And where does it say that with the Peavys?

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#16
BassmanPaul said:
How can you be having a hard time? Almost every power amp out there can bridge into 4Ω!

I used my Carvin DCM1000L at a gig last night for the first time. It was wonderful. Easily kept up with the Mackie FR1400 it replaced at a fraction of the weight. Stone cold when I switched it on and just as cold when I switched it off several hours later. Driving an Acme B2 at 4Ω per channel.
Click to expand...

+1, and an even better deal for the same price is the Carvin HD1500. A pound lighter and slightly more wattage.
 
#17
u84six said:
I'm definitely a noob when it comes to this. I'm just going by what I'm reading. Where does it say that these bridge at 4 ohms other than the XLS5000?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Might be referring to the XLS DRIVECORE series of amps, which bridge to 4 ohms, have DSP, etc.
 

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