Poweramp configuration advantages?

[Truktek2]

Hello all, I'm looking to hook up 2 8ohm 500 watt speakers to a 2 channel poweramp, and was just wondering which of these methods are most beneficial.
1. Using channel 1 with both speakers daisy chained for 525w @ 4ohms

2. Using both channel for 300watts @8 ohms each

3. Using channel 1 bridged for 1550 watts @ 4 ohms.

Thoughts and reasons? Thanks in advance

 

[bholder]

Option 3 gets you the most headroom, thats what I'd go for. Unless I needed stereo for effects or something...

 

[seamonkey]

#2 in case you need to run a crossover between the two cabs for maximum fidelity.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Option 1 - 525W maximum into your cabinets. 262W each.

Option 2 - 600W maximum into your cabinets. 300W each.

Option 3 - 1550W maximum into your cabinets. 775W each.

I use a 2000W bridged into 4Ω power amplifier. I have never needed or wanted to run in bridge as it simply releases too much power for my liking. I use option 2 and have never needed more indoors or out.

Using option 3 brings the very real possibility of destroying your speaker systems.

 

[agedhorse]

What speakers are you talking about, do you know exactly how the rating is derived?

 

[Truktek2]

Thanks for all the info everyone. Hadn't thought about all those points. These are the cabs ing question, if it makes any difference.
Ampeg: Portaflex Series - PF-115HE

 

[agedhorse]

Thanks for all the info everyone. Hadn't thought about all those points. These are the cabs ing question, if it makes any difference.
Ampeg: Portaflex Series - PF-115HE

My recommendation would be one cabinet per channel, the gains from bridging are very small and the increased risk from an 'accident", or momentary lapse of good judgement is quite real IME.

 

[BassmanPaul]

My recommendation would be one cabinet per channel, the gains from bridging are very small and the increased risk from an 'accident", or momentary lapse of good judgement is quite real IME.

You said it much more elegantly than I did!

 

[DWBass]

I'm a huge proponent of option 2 AKA Parallel mode. I'm an anti-bridger! Headroom shredroom! Please stop using that word.