Will this have the similar volume as something like an Ampeg RB 210 with a 2x10 extension cab? I know it's lower surface area, but I have to make a decision in the next week and one is significantly cheaper than the other and if I can get similar volume out of the Hartke, that's the direction I'd like to go. I have no way two AB test either of these btw.Think of peak power (the 500 rating for the 508 combo) as short spikes of output and RMS (Root Mean Square) as continuous (average) power.
Amp output ratings are usually measured with peak being all but completely unloaded with respect to speaker resistance and RMS at the rated load (2, 4, 8 ohms). By electronic formula RMS is 70.7% of peak average (yet another rating) and usually 50% or so of peak rating.
RMS is the more accurate rating for amp output.
Soooooooooo..........you will be hitting 500 on peaks when the volume is at max but still 250 on average.
I have an ancient Hartke 2500 head which is 250 RMS and trust me I rattle stuff off of walls with my gain at 5 and volume at 1.5
Once I turned the volume up to 3 and chased people out of the room. 250 RMS is PLENTY of snot!
Bear in mind that the closer you get to peak, the more you will distort and push the speakers to over excursion. At the least you will "fart out" and nobody likes bass farts.
