Why do people buy 4 Ohm Cabs ??

Because, if you're like me, you own a two-channel power amp that puts out more wattage per channel using a 4-ohm speaker than an 8-ohm one.

Lonnybass

 

That's the case with my Peavey Firebass 700 head. Without two 4 ohm cabs, I wouldn't be able to extract the full 700 watts (@ 2 ohm load) which would undermine my authority in my band and I won't allow that.

 

On a 2 channel amp, you could run two 4 ohm cabs at 4 ohms safely in wither stereo or parallel mode. I run two 4 ohm Acme cabs in parallel at 750 W per channel

 

No such thing as a stupid question...only arrogant replys'

4 ohm cabinets seem to be more of the norm for two reasons....most amps, that is their lowest(optimum) rating and its an easy "load" to drive. Your bigger cabs (810) are all 4 ohms, even some, like my Ampeg 810e, having the ability to "split" the bottom into twin four speaker combos.

Most, NOT ALL, amps now use a cheaper power supply and a four ohm rating is easier to put high numbers into.

 

If you want the most power from one cab, 4 ohms will give you more than 8.

 

Alot of us also only use that one 4ohm cab. so the adding of a second one isn't really an issue.

 

My cab is 4 10s and a 15 in one box, is about 3.5 feet tall and weighs close to 150lbs. There's no freaking way I need or could use a second cab in addition to it. Making a cab like that 8ohm would be pretty idiotic.

 

As evidenced by the previous posts a common misconception is that having a lower impedance will allow you to play louder, and for that reason many buy 4 ohm cabs.

The fact of the matter is that woofers in general won't put out any more sound at full power than they will at half power, due to power compression. That being the case, if you have an amp which is undersized, being able to put out only as many watts as the speaker is rated for at 4 ohms or less, then a 4 ohm cabinet is in order. But if your amp is rated at 8 ohms equal to or higher than the speaker's wattage rating then there's no particular advantage to a 4 ohm cab.

 

I believe someone ordered a list.......

http://www.3ms.com/bass/2ohms.htm

Here you are, my friend. I consulted this list (compiled by "The Dude") when I went out looking specifically for a 2 ohm head.

My Kustom GrooveBass 1200 is the piece that makes my rig go....

BOOM!!!

 

POWER BABY LOADS OF POWER WITH A TOUCH OF DISTROTION YES THE POWER .........uhmmm oh sorry

 

I could run 4 4ohm cabs with my B4R. (500 watts per side)

 

smaller footprint, and massive wattage eating capability.

but usually best w/ inefficient cabs i.e. Acmes to pull the most sound out of them thar boxes.

 

+1

 

It's funny, earlier today I was just thinking "How come every freaking cab I own is 8 ohms? Why are there so few 4 ohm cabs?"

This is because my smallest amp head puts out max power at 4 ohms and I'll never run this head with two cabs!

Also, my biggest cab (aguilar GS410) is also 4 ohms because I'll never need more than a 410 without going to the house.

Bottomline--anyone who only uses one cab needs 4 ohm cabs.

 

I was distroted once. Couldn't sit normal for a week.

 

I have a 4 ohms cab because i don't want to ruin my back anymore and take the full wattage out of my amp. Moreover, I have a small car and can't put a 410 + 115 plus Bass head + Mixing console+ cables and effect flights and the PA to go to a gig.
And oh... damned, i forgot my bass...

 

what he said

 

Negative, it all depends on what your amp is capable of. If your amp is capable only of an 8 ohm load then you need an 8 ohm or higher cab. If you have an amp capable of a 1/2 ohm load...then you just about run anything except a dead short. Keep in mind what Bill said about the power of your amp and in addition remember that speaker power ratings can be measured a varity of ways (ever seen a 1500 watt 12" car woofer?).

 

The last four amps I've had would either go to two ohms OR would run two 4-0hm cabs in stereo.

The last 3-4 cabs I've had have all been 4 ohms, including my two current Schroeders and my tilt-back wedge.

dcr