ohms

[Mr. Pickle]

Basically, what are the pros and cons between 4 and 8 ohm cabs, besides the potential greater output volume w/ 4 ohms? i've always heard 8 ohms can have a better overall sound quality, fact or myth? i've been looking into avatars and wanna know if 4 ohms would be a good choice or just be overkill.

k,
me

[Mr. Pickle]

sweet, thanks

[Spazzout22]

I think ohms are just a power thing, they have nothing to do with sound quality. I don't know much about the subject so I'm kinda iffy about saying anything. I would post this is the main forum and try to catch Edgebass, he's really smart about these things.

[Liebensaft]

Ohms are the measurement of the resistance against the electrical flow. I'm not sure if or how it affects sound quality.

[PaulSimonon]

4 ohm cabs draw more power than a comparable 8 ohm cabs. A lot of buying it depends on your head's capabilities. If you only want to have one cab and your head can handle 4 ohms (most can), then the 4 ohm cab would be better. If you plan to add on another cab later on and your head can't handle 2 ohms, then the 8 ohm cab would be the better option, and so on.

[edgebass5]

I've heard the argument that 8 ohms will sound better than 4 and I've also heard it completely contrary to that. Both arguments had very convincing facts to back each other up, but at th end of the day I've come to my own conclusions:

1. At an identical volume between the 4 and the 8 ohm cabs, if the power amp is not clipping, you will notice no sound difference.

2. The power amp will clip sooner with the 8 ohm cabinet due to the reduction in headroom. Clipping sounds bad. That will be your only tone difference.

In other words, if you're not clipping you won't notice any sound difference. If you are clipping you will. End of story.

[Mr. Pickle]

thanks guys, but i pretty much knew all of that stuff. now that the 'sounding better' myth is cleared up, i see no reason why not to get a 4. thanks again.