So, I keep thinking this set up over. I have an 800 watt newer acoustic head. Prior to this I used a newer 600 watt acoustic head which handled a 2ohm load. I fried the transformer a few months in...acoustic replaced it with the 800, which was really great. The 800 max load is 4ohm. I rewired both 2x15 cabs, changing them from 4ohm cabinets to 16ohm cabinets. I'd like to get the most out if this amp, and really push it. Would buying a small 8ohm 4x10 cabinet to throw on top be worth while?
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Two 2x15s and a 4x10?
- Thread starter RandallHuth
- Start date
No, it wouldn't. The 410 (basically another 215, if we're talking generic 410s & 215s ) will see the same 400 watts as the 2 x 215s.
If your volume/gain is low, the 410 will be lost in the 215's sound. What's the point of the 410?
More volume/gain, the 410 is putting out, but the 215s are far from what they can do. What's the point of the 410? The 215s by themselves would give you the same sound if you turned up just a bit more.
If you crank it, the 410 will very likely start sounding bad while your 215s are putting out serious sound. Again, what's the point of the 410?
Now, you'll probably still want to buy the 410, so go ahead. Have fun & enjoy.
Worthwhile for specifically what? What is your proposed purpose for using a 4x10? Why made you decide to inquire about a 4x10, rather than any other cab configuration? What exactly do you have in mind?
MM
I am thinking along the lines of a pair of 8 ohm 4x10's with my Eden Metro....even though the Metro is rated at 800 or so watts at 2 ohms, I don't want to "push" the amp into 2 ohm territory.
I mention this because I too have a 2 x 15 cabinet that I can wire to 4 or 16 ohms.
In my case I am going to go ahead and wire my 2x15 back to 4 ohms and buy the pair of 4x10's at 8 ohms each to yield 4 ohms..........then I will compare the 2 setups.
Technically I can run the 2x15's at 4 ohms WITH the pair of 4x10's at 8 ohms each ...yielding 2 ohms overall......sheesh.
I mention this because I too have a 2 x 15 cabinet that I can wire to 4 or 16 ohms.
In my case I am going to go ahead and wire my 2x15 back to 4 ohms and buy the pair of 4x10's at 8 ohms each to yield 4 ohms..........then I will compare the 2 setups.
Technically I can run the 2x15's at 4 ohms WITH the pair of 4x10's at 8 ohms each ...yielding 2 ohms overall......sheesh.
What is it that you want to compare? If it's potential volume, as long as both 410s & the 215 are commercial/off-the-shelf boxes, the verdict's already in, right?
In my case, are the pair of 4x10's likely going to be louder than the 2x15?
Now, I come from a hi-fi and guitar amp world and I realize there is a big difference concerning bass guitar.
Getting to the OP's concern, some of these 2x15 cabinets are VERY loud!
My buddy has a full early 70's SVT rig but also an early V4 he runs into his Hiwatt 2x15 (which is ported I think) with Fanes that are reconed with Altec parts....the V4 is LOUD...we all know what an SVT with 8x10 is like....the V4 thru the Hiwatt is darn near as loud.
Now, I come from a hi-fi and guitar amp world and I realize there is a big difference concerning bass guitar.
Getting to the OP's concern, some of these 2x15 cabinets are VERY loud!
My buddy has a full early 70's SVT rig but also an early V4 he runs into his Hiwatt 2x15 (which is ported I think) with Fanes that are reconed with Altec parts....the V4 is LOUD...we all know what an SVT with 8x10 is like....the V4 thru the Hiwatt is darn near as loud.
You had me at 2x215. The 410 is a 3rd wheel. It won't net you 'highs' or anything. It will be inaudible. If you want 10's then do a 2x410 or 4x410. But with your amp 4x410 would be too much paper to move and you can't do 2Ω.
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It is not clear to me what you are trying to accomplish. Do you need more volume than you are getting now with the two 2x15 running a total 8 ohm load? Or are you just trying to find a way to drive your amp with a 4 ohm load simply because your amp is rated to handle 4 ohms?
There are a couple of ways to look at this - a lot of threads I've read here on TB really frown on mixing 10s and 15s (specifically there is a lot of hate for a 4x10 plus a 1x15) ... but if you think about your question in terms of voice coils. Your proposal of adding a 4x10 almost makes sense as you would have four 10" speakers and four 15" speakers total and the way you have it wired, each voice coil would be getting an equal share of the power. Now many believe a 10 can't handle the same power as a 15 - but it all depends on the voice coil, EV used to make 10" speakers with the same motor (magnet, voice coil suspension) as their 15" - so given beefy 10" with big voice coils they would handle the equal share of watts just fine. So it isn't all that silly (though I suspect most will think it is pretty odd combo) - and I like the sound of 4x10 but they are heavy and awkward size/shape and very difficult to move or lift by yourself - I'd rather move two more 2x15 cabs than one 4x10.
Four 2x15" ought to be plenty loud enough for you and give you the 4 ohm load you want. Or you could add two 16ohm 2x10s - one to each of your 2x15 (just because 2x10 is so much easier to move). But again, most people seem to prefer keeping all speakers the same size ... so I'd go with two more 2x15 cabs. Or sell your 2x15s and replace them with two 8ohm 4x10s if you like the sound of 4x10 better.
If you have enough volume now, I would leave well enough alone and enjoy letting your amp run an 8ohm load and have the extra headroom and run cooler.
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Yes, they'll be louder. Roughly they'll be twice as loud. Two 10" speakers are just slightly less total surface area than a single 15", so a 210 & 115 are pretty close in volume (again, unless either the 10s or 15s are something other than generic in either sensitivity and/or Xmax). So a single 410 is in the same ballpark as a 215.
Hence why I labeled it the "dreaded," I knew it was only going to be a matter of time before someone chimed in about that.
I say do it and stack it up vertically...
Or better yet get a 3rd 215 instead, still stack vertically.
This has been your daily doomly advice from your friendly Rev DOOM.
Or better yet get a 3rd 215 instead, still stack vertically.
This has been your daily doomly advice from your friendly Rev DOOM.
I never saw any response to my question (what is the OP trying to achieve?) ... and based on the wording of the original post, I really got the impression that the OP just wanted to drive the amp with 4ohms so he could get everything out of the amp it is capable of delivering. I can't imagine two 2x15 cabs not being loud enough with that amp even running at 8 ohm load.
But he could always buy 4 ohm 15" speakers (or 16 ohm and wire them parallel as they were before when he had an amp that could handle 2 ohm load) and sell his 8 ohm speakers.
But he could always buy 4 ohm 15" speakers (or 16 ohm and wire them parallel as they were before when he had an amp that could handle 2 ohm load) and sell his 8 ohm speakers.
