From what I've been reading, is this an accurate 'Clif Notes' version of acceptable combinations? (2 cabs max): 4 / 8 Ohm head + (1) 8 Ohm cab = ok 4 / 8 Ohm head + (2) 8 Ohm cabs = ok (4 Ohms each; more power than above) 4 / 8 Ohm head + (1) 4 Ohm cab = ok 2 / 4 or 2 / 4 / 8 Ohm head + (2) 4 Ohm cabs = ok (2 Ohms each) 4 / 8 Ohm head + (2) 4 Ohm cabs = no-no (2 Ohms each) One of the combinations I'm looking at includes a 4 Ohm cab (Berg HT322 800w @ 4 Ohms). Unless I get a head that can run @ 2 Ohms, I wouldn't be able to add another cab down the road, correct? (not that I'd need to)
Correct, Either 2ohm capable or 2X4ohm head like a Little Giant 1000 (2X500w @ 4ohms) or Shuttle Max 12 (2X600w @ 4ohms) or a Carvin BX1500 (2X450w @ 4ohms) just to name a few. Also could go with a traditional rack set up pre + power amp.
Seems it's a growing trend that more modern amps are able to go down to 2 ohms. Most tube amps also can go down to 2 ohms or have a selector switch. However, in general a lot of amps won't go below 4 ohms. As smogg mentioned, some amps and power amps have two separate power amp channels, which is very beneficial if you plan on running two 4 ohm cabs but sometimes want just one. You'll still be able to send full power to one cab if you are doing a smaller gig and only want the one cab.
Add the Hartke LH1000 to this list. 450 bucks and you can run 4 cabs @4 ohms each in stereo mode. At 1st i wasnt sure on this,but an e mail to Larry Hartke's tech dept confirmed it.
Even when you get the ohms right, the speaker combination is what matters. Mixing different size speakers is the luck of the draw
4 4Ohm cabs or 4 8Ohm cabs? I thought that amp is still 4Ohm minimum per side?? Edit: Looks like that amp does go down to 2Ohms. Quoted from the manual below.
Here is the e mail i sent to Hartke tech Dept to ease my mind: From: Bob H [mailto:ribob@cox.net] Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 11:25 AM To: hartke@samsontech.com Subject: LH1000 setup Hi, I am thinking of purchasing this head. My question is can I run (2) 4 ohm cabs on this head in parallel mode? I have owned Hartke heads in the past and the output jacks always say 8 ohms on each jack. These say 4 ohms on each jack, so in parallel mode does this mean I could use a 4 ohm cab in EACH speaker output? Since this is my only option because I really cant afford to purchase 2 new 8 ohm cabs. Right now the 2 cabs are running on a qsc plx5 power amp at 700 per side with no problem. Thanks Bob Answer Bob, Yes, you can run a 4ohm load out of each output in parallel mode. Thank You, Anthony DiMaggio SamsonTech Product Specialist 800.372.6766 adimaggio@samsontech.com www.samsontech.com Warning : The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential and protected from disclosure. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to this message and then delete it from your computer. All e-mail sent to this address will be received by the Samson corporate e-mail system and is subject to archiving and review by someone other than the recipient So after that i headed down to grab the head and they were on backorder!! So i got the LH500 instead and use my single 15 with it.
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