Underpowered Ashdown 4x10?

[soulphoenix]

I recently got an Ashdown 4x10 combo amp, and I love it... except it's power let me down. it was advertised at 300 watts, but I remember hearing it only gets that loud with an extension cab. Without it it's apparently around 150w or so (I think...) first of all, is this B.S.?

if it's not, will getting the Deep Bass 1x15 cab solve my problem?

 

[heavyhitter]

I recently got an Ashdown 4x10 combo amp, and I love it... except it's power let me down. it was advertised at 300 watts, but I remember hearing it only gets that loud with an extension cab. Without it it's apparently around 150w or so (I think...) first of all, is this B.S.?

if it's not, will getting the Deep Bass 1x15 cab solve my problem?

I assume this is a MAG300 combo?
Yes you are only running 200 watts w/out another cab. You need to adjust your input use the VU meter. If you use a passive bass use the HIGH input. This amp should be as hell. I use a MAG 300 head with 2 ABM 210T cabs and I cant play it past 1/4 volume w/o pictures falling off the wall.

 

[soulphoenix]

Yes, it has the MAG300 head.

how do I go about using the VU meter to adjust the input?
and I have a passive bass... so I use the 'passive' input... what exactly you mean by the HIGH input?

 

[heavyhitter]

Yes, it has the MAG300 head.

how do I go about using the VU meter to adjust the input?
and I have a passive bass... so I use the 'passive' input... what exactly you mean by the HIGH input?

Ok if you have your labled "passive and active" you have a never version than the one I have. I have an older made in the UK one. Turn you bass volume all the way up, set your EQ the way you want it. I like to use both the deep and the bright buttons too. Start playing your bass till the needle is in the black but near the border with the red on your VU. An occational spike into the red is ok. Then adjust the master volume to taste. Unless you have a defective unit you should be rattling windows with this thing.

 

[bassmusic1234]

sell the ashdown. an extension cab will do about as much as boobies on a bull. nothing. i bought the mag 600 head and the matching cab. the head says it puts out 1000 watts peak. i got a mere 150 watts from it. ashdown is notorious for doing this bs. i sold mine and my only regret is buying the p.o.s in the first place.

 

[4-string]

I'm familiar with only the cabs from the MAG line, but both the ABM 500 and the MK500 are plenty loud imo. I never felt that they lacked power at all, especially the MK500 is very powerful.

As for setting gain, ignoring the needle works best imo. If it sounds good etc.

 

[bassguppy]

I had the ABM115 Combo with a 210 extension cab running. Never a problem with volume, plenty loud. IMO those who state they have certain volume problems are asking too much from their gear. 300 solid state watts will have a problem keeping up with a couple of cranked Marshalls.