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Whats the real life volume difference?

I think it's more a matter of headroom than volume. I presume you're talking solid-state watts?...

yes, my 700 rbII is 320@8 and 480 @ 4. I have an 8ohm 212 Avatar cab and I really only want to run one cab. I have an opportunity to get a slightly used 4 ohm Avatar for $200-$250. I could sell mine and basically break even. Would it be worth the trouble?
 
Well, just remember that the relationship to wattage and volume is not linear. If you double the wattage, you get a +3 dB difference in speaker loudness, which is not *that* much more than the threshold of human perception. To double the maximum volume, you would have to have 10x more power (measured in watts), which would give you +10 dB (in other words, twice the volume). Speaker loudness (volume) really depends on the efficiency of the speakers, not just the wattage. More wattage gives you cleaner tone when pushed (more headroom), but the number of speakers you're using, and how efficient they are, translates into more volume.

If you're not planning to run multiple cabs, I would think that you'd want the 4-ohm cab, so you can get a little more juice out of your amp. Are you lacking in volume now?
 
Whats the real life volume difference between a single 212 at 320 watts opposed to 480 watts?
Probably none. It's the rare twelve that can make use of more than 100 to 120 watts before farting out. A speaker's power rating only tells you how much juice it will take without burning out the voice coils. Displacement limited power is what really counts, and that's a figure that no one publishes.
 
Probably none. It's the rare twelve that can make use of more than 100 to 120 watts before farting out. A speaker's power rating only tells you how much juice it will take without burning out the voice coils. Displacement limited power is what really counts, and that's a figure that no one publishes.
Ya, between my 300w SVT and my 500w LMII, there is only a slight volume boost with the LMII.

And I swear to God I will put a voodoo curse on the first person that says "tube watts are louder than SS watts."
 
Whats the real life volume difference between a single 212 at 320 watts opposed to 480 watts?


Almost none. You'd have to boost your wattage to almost 600 to get much of a noticable difference. The difference is in headroom, ie. the amp isn't straining and having to work so hard to get what you need, has some power in reserve. Means a cleaner, clearer sound and less taxing on the amp, if you want the grit, that's what the boost knob is for in your case, or some pedals or other effects.
 
If you're only going to run one cab you might as well have a four ohm. But if you're happy with the cab you have you might as well keep it. I think Bill Fitzmaurice nailed it. Eights are nice because if you ever need to _REALLY_ ramp up the volume, just add a second eight ohm cab to your setup and you'll get a significant bump.

Speaker cone area/speaker efficiency is the more effective way to gain SPLs (vs. wattage).

KO