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question about mixing cabs

LaklandLaksNADA

LaklandLaksNADA

Jan 17, 2011
734
933
Chicago, IL
reverb.com
#1
Just trying to get something cleared up here.

I've read several threads about how mixing cabs isn't a good idea because the power that goes out to each one would be different, thus pushing one cab harder than it needs to.

Here's my question:

If I have a 4-10 and a 2-10, why isn't it okay to use them together?

My head puts out 320 watts at 8 ohms and 480 watts at 4 ohms.

Am I understanding correctly that it means that if you have two cabs each at 8 ohms, it makes a total of 4 ohms, and then it's going to send 240 watts to each of those cabs making a grand total of 480 watts?

If this is the case, why would it push one cab harder than the other, if both are rated strong enough to handle the 320 watts my head's pushing out if i were to use them on their own?

the rating on each of them is like this:
400w 8ohm (2-10)
700w 8ohm (4-10)

If this is a simple stupid answer then I apologize, and if it's perfectly okay to do, then sweet. It's just something that I've been wondering about...

thank you for your replies.
 
#3
As you may have noticed the 210 has two speakers in it, while the 410 has four. So each of the speakers in your 210, assuming you were putting out max power from your amp, would get 120 watts, while each speaker in the 410 would get 60. Pushes the 210 harder.

If they're identical, the 410 would be 3 dB louder at any given power input than the 210, so the 210 adds less than 3 dB to total output, theoretically, at any given power. You'll run the 210 into distortion (commonly called farting) somewhere around half it's thermal power rating. Same with the 410, but when the 210 is out of gas, the 410 still can take double the power before it distorts, because it has double the number of drivers. Theoretically, it should be possible, if you are really driving the speakers to their limits, to be at least as loud without distortion using just the 410 as you would with the 210 and 410 together if you don't push the 210 too hard. Since you're a normal person chances are you don't really drive the amp to its max and you may never distort the speakers, in which case you may perceive increased output from the higher power the amp would deliver into a four ohm load at any given volume control setting, plus the addition of a couple of extra drivers, when you use the two together.
 
#4
so this being the case, is the main problem if i start cranking the output to try to get the normally perceived volume out of the 410 which pushes the 210 harder? because if it can handle receiving 160watts each speaker as an 8ohm load (when used solo) is it more of an issue of underpowering the 410 and trying to crank it louder when it's getting 60w vs the 120w the 210's speakers are each getting?

I never run past half on my amp to begin with. The main reason for combining them isn't necessarily for more volume, it's that I like the sound that comes out of the combination of the two compared to just one.
 
#5
You'd be yards-better off pushing a 210 and a 115, as they are closer to a match.

The 'ratings' of a speaker/driver are somewhat 'enthusiastic' by the cabinet manufacturer if not downright lies and deceptions.

Yes, you can get away with a 410/210 mash-up, but why? There's not any perceivable volume increase and the smoke will sting your eyes.
 
#6
The root problem is cab ratings. Don't be fooled that your 2x10 can do 400W by itself, nor the 4x10 700W and think you are safe to crank it. This is how drivers get broken.

The other problem is amps can put out bursts of power much higher than their rating. Very dynamic playing like slapping and popping tries to get the speaker cones to jump out of their baskets.

The 2x10 drivers are being asked to do double the duty of the 4x10 ones. Your amp spits out it's full 480W split 50/50 so the 2x10 is trying to make 120w per driver at RMS. That's bad enough for most 10's, but if your amp can put out bursts of power 2x RMS you're screwed.

Here's another reason to be extra careful. "Half" on my amp is actually full power before it goes into clipping. All amps are different with the attenuation control but it's a common "trick" to have the gain wind on quickly as you turn up. Some say this is so amp shoppers think the amp they are testing in the shop is a monster.

Lots of players use the kind of rig you have. Be careful.
 

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