Pushing a cabinet - Question

[Bass_Pounder]

to be fair, we might be quibbling about definitions.

if s0c9's definition of "underpowering" is using an amp that's just a little too small and driving it into clip in an attempt to get volume so that it's now too much, that's one thing. in that case, "underpowering" means "not bringing a big enough amp to do the gig cleanly", not "providing less power to the speakers than they're rated for".

If that was it, then there would not be a problem.

He also seems to be stuck on the "clipped signals/square wave" thing.

 

[Vanceman]

walterw is right. It's not underpowered for the speakers, it's underpowered for the situation, and that causes people to fry their speakers.

bty, when an amp is rated at 500 watts rms, 1000 watts peak, does that mean 500 watts at the specified distortion(ie 1% thd), and 1000 watts fully clipped?

 

[ggunn]

The wattage out is varied by the volume control(s).

And by the volume setting on the bass, and how bass heavy you have your EQ, and whether the bass is active or passive, and how hard you are playing...

 

[okcrum]

The mid drivers and tweeters in cabs are NOT rated for the full power the cab takes. That's why people melt the 70 watt tweeter and/or crossover in their 500 watt cab and claim they are "underpowered". "Overdimed" is probably a better and more apt term.

The OP is unlikely to have this problem. Just be aware of the gain setting at which you start to hear the cab fart. That will be well before the power amp clips (though you could clip in the preamp). Stay below that and you'll be fine.