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Which cabinet?

JVbass

JVbass

Feb 15, 2009
204
16
Cleveland OH
#1
Happy Thanksgiving All!
I've read through the FAQ's on underpowering a cab. My understanding is that the real damage comes from running the amp at extreme levels.
Here's my situation - I'm going to order a 112 cab & I have the choice of a neo with 250 watts, or a traditional Delta rated at 500 watts. I will order the cab @ 8 ohms. My bass head puts out 240 watts @ 8 ohms.
If I'm not pushing the amp past its capabilities, will I be OK?
My thinking is going for the 500 watt speaker because should I have to replace this amp in the future, I'm sure I'll go with a micro amp & I see that these amps put out more power than I currently have.
Thanks!
 
#2
You'll be fine either way. Just listen for any signs of the speaker farting or buzzing inappropriately, and if you hear those sounds then turn down the amp until those sounds go away. This will be true regardless of the wattage of the amp or the ratings on the cab, which are actually more like "serving suggestions" than statements of fact. :)
 
#4
If I may? Not an easy question to answer? If the 500 watt cab is not as efficient (1watt@1meter rating) as the 250 watt cab, then the 250 watt cab is the better choice. If the Xlim/ Xmax of the 250 watt cab is less than the 500 watt cab then the 500 watt cab is the better choice for a future amp head (but still maybe not the best choice for now).
 
#5
I'd go with the cab having more capability, as future wattage increases are always a possibility. But as noted above, I'd want it to be at least as efficient as the cab with the lower rating, or your sound output will be reduced. You're more likely to push the system harder if it's not generating the sound levels you want, regardless of the cab's power handling capability.
 
#8
musicxfactor said:
the xlim/xmax value of the 250 watt speaker is 1.7346
the value of the 500 watt speaker is 2.8125
Click to expand...

Sorry I don't understand the numbers posted? Is that the ratio? I'm not familiar with the numbers posted. I am used to Xmax=4.0mm Xlim=8.0mm. Do they have a listed spec that resembles those, then I could be of more help. As above the db at 1watt/1meter would help greatly also.
 
#10
Go with the 250 watt. While the 500 watt has more Max travel (Xlim) it will require more power to be as loud as the 250 watt and may loose top end. The Xmax/Xlim of the 250 watt is good and will produce more sound per watt of power from your amp head. :)
Thanks for the specs., makes it a lot easier ;)
 
#11
musicxfactor said:
Sorry about that. I'm learning as I go along here.

250 watt neo speaker:
sensitivity = 99.9
xlim = 8.5mm
xmax = 4.9mm

500 watt speaker:
sensitivity = 94.6
xlim = 13.5mm
xmax = 4.8mm
Click to expand...

Based on those stats - I would go with the 250 watt Neo.

Similar Xmax, and although the 500 watter has a better xlim, the sensitivity figure kills it for me.

To get that 500 watt speaker as loud as the 250 watt Neo, your going to have to put more than double the wattage into it.
 
#12
Hi.

Same opinion here, go with the 250W.

It'll smoke the "bigger" driver any day.

BFM might chime in and tell You which one of those two drivers can convert more power before farting out. Because that's what matters, not the thermal power handling.

Your highly provocative thread title may lead to the thread to be closed before that though.

Regards
Sam
 
#13
musicxfactor said:
Sorry about that. I'm learning as I go along here.

250 watt neo speaker:
sensitivity = 99.9
xlim = 8.5mm
xmax = 4.9mm

500 watt speaker:
sensitivity = 94.6
xlim = 13.5mm
xmax = 4.8mm
Click to expand...
The xlim/xmax ratio is moot, as is the driver power rating and SPL rating. As both drivers have essentially the same xmax they also have the same displacement limited power capability. But as to how each will work in the cabinet that can only be answered by running each through a box modeling program like WinISD Alpha Pro to see the low frequency response and checking their SPL charts to see the high frequency response. By all rights the company offering the cabs should provide you with a response chart and maximum output chart, so that you can base your decision on pertinent factors instead of those that are moot, but you're more likely to get a personal visit from Santa :hyper: than you are to get that information. :crying:
 

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