All I can find is this bass amp is 500 watts at 4 ohms... anyone know what the actual wattage is at 8 ohms? thanks!
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TC Electronics BQ 500
- Thread starter buckangus
- Start date
By experience, it should be between 250 watts and 300 watt at 8 ohm (the difference between 250 W and 300 W is imperceptible)
Good luck getting the truth. The specs from the quick start guide say:
The notes in the specs say:
TC Electronics has caught quite a bit of flack for how they rate their amps. AFAIK the power rating is more of a "sounds like" rating than actual continuous RMS as the output sections use significant power management algorithms (see attached)
Here's a table that was published in response to all of the concern. This table relates to older amps, but IMHO the comments above seem like the BQ500 specs were developed consistent with the same philosophy.
This table is from the attached document:
The notes in the specs say:
TC Electronics has caught quite a bit of flack for how they rate their amps. AFAIK the power rating is more of a "sounds like" rating than actual continuous RMS as the output sections use significant power management algorithms (see attached)
Here's a table that was published in response to all of the concern. This table relates to older amps, but IMHO the comments above seem like the BQ500 specs were developed consistent with the same philosophy.
This table is from the attached document:
I'm with @Wasnex -- it's hard to say. I think the power amp section of the BQ-500 is the same as that in the BH-500, so those data should apply.
Two notes:
1> I have one, using it for over a year now for close to 100 shows, and convinced the power rating is in that ~500w range. Almost never hit 50% volume on live stages from postage stamps to outdoor live festival stages. Single NEO 15/tweeter cab. Tons of massive, airy bass, with great definition and clarity.
2> At the current going rate of $169 after the 50% price drop, I'd buy another, except everyone else has, and now backorder has been pushed all the way to JUNE 2025.
I dare you to find anything remotely close to this performance for price. The folks at TC have gone completely mad by dropping the price so low.
1> I have one, using it for over a year now for close to 100 shows, and convinced the power rating is in that ~500w range. Almost never hit 50% volume on live stages from postage stamps to outdoor live festival stages. Single NEO 15/tweeter cab. Tons of massive, airy bass, with great definition and clarity.
2> At the current going rate of $169 after the 50% price drop, I'd buy another, except everyone else has, and now backorder has been pushed all the way to JUNE 2025.
I dare you to find anything remotely close to this performance for price. The folks at TC have gone completely mad by dropping the price so low.
I agree, I’ve got one and have played it side by side with a GK mb500, Kustom 500, Markbass cmd 500, Tech 21 vt500 etc… and it’s just as loud but like any and just a different flavor. Which I like about BQ500 just solid tone… it’s a backup I keep in my car but could easily be my main amp.
I did just take advantage of Sweetwater TC bam200 deal $107.. and it can actually go in my gig bag and gets reasonable loud if needed in a quick on stage pinch!
I haven't had an opportunity to use mine in a band setting. I tried it through my 4 ohm Genz Benz Uber Bass 2x12 and 8 ohm Rumble 2x10. It sounded great through both of them. The 2x10 would definitely have its limits, but I think the 2x12 would be able to work in any setting that I'm likely to find myself in. As far as tone goes, it sounded like what most people think of as a solid bass tone. There were no extreme tonal characteristics to speak of. I feel like I got a great amp for the money.
LOL- Done deal!
All I needed was a smaller practice head, but forgot about TC's smaller offerings. That BAM200 deal is just as amazing and looks like not oversold yet, like the BQ500.
Thanks!
speaking for my bam200, I agree - vanilla ice cream tone. perfectly simple solution when you have good gear up stream.
These things are smallllllllll. Kinda looks better off to the side than front and center on top of the cab, imo.
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I would have jumped all over one of those BQ500. Hate I missed it. I still may put in for one on backorder as it is just a killer deal to have a quality extra amp. My Sweetwater rep has not called in a few weeks. I will let him have it when I talk to him for not calling me. He knows I play bass. Calls me all the time and wants to know if I need anything but didn't call with a heads up on this. I am going to tell him when there are killer deals like this, give me a call, otherwise I don't want to hear from him. I miss my old rep Mike. He would have called.
Sorry man. I tried. Posted in deals and one other place I think. Dang. But yes about your rep. Dang Ryan didn’t give me a heads up either now that you mention it- I just stumbled upon it.lol
Thanks! Yep, home brew 2x8 with those TB approved $20 mcm 8” drivers.
The cab is cherry picked piece of 1x12x96 pine from the big box cheap pile. Sanded to 400 grit and finished with Dutch oil. Budget build to the max
I kind of like when someone is surprised with a small amp on my cabs and say "That's your amp?" and then blown away by the power and tone.
Although that really doesn't happen much anymore now that Class D amps are so prevalent.
Are you using a BAM, or another micro?
I was underwhelmed by the BAM and was going to go bigger, but wondering if other micro 200 W heads offer more punch.
No not a BAM, but I do own a few Class D amps and have owned many more in the past. Currently for Class D I have:
Mesa WD800
Orange Terror Bass 500
Genz Benz Streamliner 600
TC RH750
TC RH450
TC BH250 (backup)
Laney Digbeth 500 (newest addition)
If you are pretty set on a 200 watt micro with punch a GK MB200 might be what you are looking for. Brighter than the TC, grindy and punchy from my memory of it.
Well an update on my TC bq500. Last night during practice I had it plugged into our studio resident SWR 610 with my pedal board directly into passive input with preamp light barely flickering master around 9 o’clock. Half way through the set the power and volume was going up and down. No distorting or crazy sounds just sounds like power amp cutting out. I’ll check it out again today but as my backup amp it’s unfortunately no longer even worthy of that. I still have my Bam 200 in my gig bag if needed in a pinch.
