Amp Question

[crawlspacestefan]

So, I've got a question about my amp set up that I thought you guys may be able to help me with.

Here's the deal: I have an Ampeg SVT 3Pro Head. I use this head to power a couple different configurations and I get different sounds out of it. I have an Ampeg 8x10, 4x10 and 1x15. Right nowI think it sounds best through the 8x10 (although, a couple months ago I was convinced the 4x10/1x15 combo was best). It sounds worst through the 4x10 alone.

I hadn't played my 8x10 in a while because it was in a practice space of a band I don't play much in anymore. But we've recently reunited for a last show, blah blah blah. So, I used it again and fell in love with the sound. But then I had to get it from the basement to my van, and tomorrow from the van into the club and back into the van, etc.. Obviously the tension between sound and practicality became apparent.

My questions are these:

Does the 8x10 sound best because it is accepting the full power of head and not splitting it between two cabinets? It just has a more raw overdriven sound to it? And does the 4x10 sound the worst because it can't push enough air?

Most importantly, though, is this: Do you think two 4x10s would provide the same sound as one 8x10? It'd be a lot easier to move two 4s around rather than the big fridge...

Thanks, guys!

[badeggs]

I would imagine, if they're at the same impedance and feature more-or-less the same construction AND the power was portioned evenly between the two, that two 4x10s would equal an 8x10. But I am not an amp expert...

All I can tell you about the 8x10 "fridge" from personal experience is that this guy I knew years ago, in a band that practiced at the same house as my band, tried to move one of those up the basement stairs by himself and it nearly fell on top of him. He couldn't wait like 10 seconds for me to lend a hand...based on that experience, I'd suggest you get two 4x10s. It's just safer!

[jps]

One of many reasons the 810 sounds better than the combination of 410/115 is that the 115 can not keep up with the 410 due to several factors. Two 410s will sound much better, perhaps not identical to the 810 but a whole lot closer than the two mismatched cabinets. There is a ton of info on this on TalkBass.

[ken_j]

The 8x10 will push twice the air as a 4x10. So in order to get the same volume out of the 4x10 the cones need to move twice as far. This slows down the transient response and may increase distortion depending on the Xmax of the drivers.

[daveman]

You want maximum portability *and* the sound of the Fridge? Stack four Ampeg SVT210AV's on their sides.....
(These are sealed cabs with two 100-watt drivers.)

[crawlspacestefan]

Thanks for the replies so far!

See, I liked the sound of the two mismatched cabinets - I felt like the 4x10 gave all the highs while the 1x15 pushed a lot of low end. But last time I played that 8x10 it just had this really great tough raw sound.

[badeggs]

It's hard to top the 4001/SVT combination, especially when it's an old one...but those 70s Sunns are nice, too.

I wish I had spending money...

[Badanovski]

2 4x10 cabs will sound different than 1 8x10 cab. The 4x10 cabs are ported cabs. The 8x10 cab has 4 separate 2x10 cabs & is a sealed enclosure. I personally think the 8x10 cabs sound much better but I sold my years ago & will never move another.

[jps]

I thought the 410HE was a sealed cabinet?

[johnallg]

I thought the 410HE was a sealed cabinet?

410 HE is sealed, 410 HLF is ported.

[jps]

I thought the 410HE was a sealed cabinet?

410 HE is sealed, 410 HLF is ported.

Stefan does not state what models he has, so I am assuming the HE as he is comparing it to the 810.

[ricaddic]

The Ampeg 410HLF ported cab will give you a full sound with all the low end you will need, it IMO is one of the best 410 cabs out there..

[rickboy1689]

One of many reasons the 810 sounds better than the combination of 410/115 is that the 115 can not keep up with the 410 due to several factors. Two 410s will sound much better, perhaps not identical to the 810 but a whole lot closer than the two mismatched cabinets. There is a ton of info on this on TalkBass.

so youre saying running a rig with mismatched speaker types is a bad idea?

[jps]

Technically, yes, but if you are happy with it then all is good. For one thing, a single 15" speaker will have a hard time keeping up with 4 10" speakers in the mechanical limit end of things, and both driver sizes are a lot closer in their frequency ranges than they are not. Phase relationships should be taken into account also. As I mentioned above, there is a whole lot of discussion about this, elsewhere, to the point of some very technical discussion, if you are interested.

[daveman]

Technically, yes, but if you are happy with it then all is good. For one thing, a single 15" speaker will have a hard time keeping up with 4 10" speakers in the mechanical limit end of things, and both driver sizes are a lot closer in their frequency ranges than they are not. Phase relationships should be taken into account also. As I mentioned above, there is a whole lot of discussion about this, elsewhere, to the point of some very technical discussion, if you are interested.

+1. If you're after the sound of the SVT 8x10 cabinet, you won't get it with the newer ported Ampeg cabs such as the HLF series. The SVT cabs do not have that much low end, and the drivers are rated lower in power handling -- but that's why we like them, for the "grinding" rock sound.