Questions Regarding New Amp Purchase:

[:amaze:]

So I'm seriously considering upgrading my head. I just got a new avatar cab, but I don't feel like I'm getting as much volume as I'd like ... and I've always had this problem with my current head: (http://www.sixstardj.com/pepro500baam.html).

I'm considering getting one of these:

http://www.imuso.co.uk/ProductDetail.asp?StockCode=EG03417

But i'm a little confused about when it talks about the wattage, specifically this part:

1000 watts delivered to a 4 ohm speaker system or 500 watts to an 8
ohm speaker system.
Dual Parallel Mode: 2 x 225 watts @ 8 ohms, 2 x 320 watts @ 4 ohms, 2 x 545 watts @ 2 ohms.
Bridge Mode: 1 x 750 watts @ 8 ohms, 1 x 1100 watts @ 4 ohms.

Right now I've got two 8-ohm cabs (2x12 and 4x10). i guess i'm just confused about the difference between "dual parallel" mode and bridge mode. which would i be using (or which should i use), and what difference does it make?

thanks.

[FunkMetalBass]

I believe dual parallel just means that your head has two channels and is biampable. Bridged mode combines both channels into a single output. This is really only preferred if you want a full range through your cab(s). You, with two cabs of varying sizes, would probably want to biamp and utilize a crossover.

[PaulSimonon]

In Dual Parallel (BRIDGE mode switch to the left), the two amplifier channels are receiving the same input signal from the pre amp, but are operating separately, so each channel sees its own speaker load. In BRIDGE mode (Bridge mode switch to the right), the two amplifier channels work as one and therefore, a single impedance load from the connected speakers is presented to the amplifier.

Seems like Dual Parallel mode is basically splitting the signal from the pre and sending it into two seperate power amps, and bridge mode is using both of the power amps on a single output.

In short... what he said.

[FunkMetalBass]

It's cuter when you say it....


:-o

[:amaze:]

so if i have two eight ohm cabs and want to run bi-amped, i'd be getting 2x225 watts, or 2x320 watts?

[FunkMetalBass]

so if i have two eight ohm cabs and want to run bi-amped, i'd be getting 2x225 watts, or 2x320 watts?

According to what you posted, 2x225W. Because the cabs aren't connected to each other, you don't get to have fun and add their resistances together.

Now, if you ran bridged into one cab and used the extension into the second cab, you'd essentially be running 1100W @ 4ohms. The problem with this is that you'll be running full range into both cabs which may not be your best bet tonally.

I'm fairly certain that's how you run both cabs bridged. I'd wait for somebody like Edge to confirm though.

What's your price range for heads? I have a carvin BX1200 head that I love to death. Probably run about 350 GBP and a little more power.

- Advanced Equalization - three EQ sections
- Active Passive front panel input gain switch
- 5-band three sweep tone control section
- 9-band foot switch able graphic EQ
- Single knob silent Optical compressor w/auto limiter
- Internal crossover for bi-amp system
- Preamp DRIVE and MASTER volume controls
- XLR Direct out with Level, ground lift & pre-post preamp controls
- Effects loop Switch able by front panel or FS22 footswitch
- Tune output jack independent of mute switch.
- High current Speakon connectors
- RMS 8 ohm 275W/ch, 4 ohm 400W/ch, 2ohm 600W/ch
- 8 ohms Bridge 800W, 4 ohms Bridge 1200W
- THD less than .03% at 90% output.
- Freq. Resp.: 20-20k Hz
- Dual speed fan
- Active Passive input (-10DB)
- Covered in black vinyl
- 5.7" H x 21.6" W x 12" D
https://www.carvinguitars.com/products/single.php?product=BX1200

[:amaze:]

around 600$. honestly, i'm no tone whore ... i just want as much volume as i can get.

[FunkMetalBass]

around 600$. honestly, i'm no tone whore ... i just want as much volume as i can get.

What is the power rating of each of your cabs?

[:amaze:]

when i upgrade my 4x10 it'll be 500 and 1000. right now it's less than that, but i hope to be upgrading within the next month or two.

[edgebass5]

Dual parallel is just another name for "stereo." Everyone keeps talking about biamping, but since this is a standalone head, there's not really any way to put a crossover after the preamp stage and before the power stage... Unless I missed it and the head has a built-in crossover for biamping.

As far as I can tell, the only reason this head was designed with a stereo power section was to allow for 2 ohm operation. Operating in bridged mono under a 4 ohm load is the same thing as operating in stereo under a 2 ohm load.

For your situation, you'll be getting the most by running in bridged mono operation. There's a couple caveats to this. Most heads require a specific pin configuration of your speakon cable(s) to operate in bridged mono. Look in your owner's manual, or find one online that describes which pin configuration will allow bridged mono operation. If it's supposed to be set to +1 +2 and your cable is +1 -1, regardless of how you have the controls on the amp set, it will only be using one of the two power amps in the head. Changing pins on a speakon cable is as easy as disassembling the end and turning a phillips head screwdriver. Check your manual and get the definitive answer on your pin configuration and go from there.

[FunkMetalBass]

Edge to the rescue!

Thank you for clarifying. Now onto more pressing matters, my string-thru bridge gives a tighter B string than any top-load bridge. Discuss. :P

[fatbandit]

Buy a matamp.

[:amaze:]

Dual parallel is just another name for "stereo." Everyone keeps talking about biamping, but since this is a standalone head, there's not really any way to put a crossover after the preamp stage and before the power stage... Unless I missed it and the head has a built-in crossover for biamping.

As far as I can tell, the only reason this head was designed with a stereo power section was to allow for 2 ohm operation. Operating in bridged mono under a 4 ohm load is the same thing as operating in stereo under a 2 ohm load.

For your situation, you'll be getting the most by running in bridged mono operation. There's a couple caveats to this. Most heads require a specific pin configuration of your speakon cable(s) to operate in bridged mono. Look in your owner's manual, or find one online that describes which pin configuration will allow bridged mono operation. If it's supposed to be set to +1 +2 and your cable is +1 -1, regardless of how you have the controls on the amp set, it will only be using one of the two power amps in the head. Changing pins on a speakon cable is as easy as disassembling the end and turning a phillips head screwdriver. Check your manual and get the definitive answer on your pin configuration and go from there.

so under the bridged mono configuration, would 2 8ohm cabs still add up to a 4ohm load?

[da_s_man13]

TBH, dont see why you'd be needing more than 350watts unless you're gigging on massive stages. Even then its still stupid.

[FunkMetalBass]

TBH, dont see why you'd be needing more than 350watts unless you're gigging on massive stages. Even then its still stupid.

Every amp is different in terms of the volume it produces. I had a 120W SWR and a 100W Crate. Both had a 15" driver and the SWR had an added horn. The Crate was louder with the gain at 0 and the master volume at 6 than the SWR was at 0 and 10, respectively.

[:amaze:]

TBH, dont see why you'd be needing more than 350watts unless you're gigging on massive stages. Even then its still stupid.

plain and simple, because i'm not loud enough. I rarely DI into a PA at our shows, so my amp has to provide all of the low end.

[Jaded]

TBH, dont see why you'd be needing more than 350watts unless you're gigging on massive stages. Even then its still stupid.

um.......headroom?

[:amaze:]

According to what you posted, 2x225W. Because the cabs aren't connected to each other, you don't get to have fun and add their resistances together.

Now, if you ran bridged into one cab and used the extension into the second cab, you'd essentially be running 1100W @ 4ohms. The problem with this is that you'll be running full range into both cabs which may not be your best bet tonally.

I'm fairly certain that's how you run both cabs bridged. I'd wait for somebody like Edge to confirm though.

What's your price range for heads? I have a carvin BX1200 head that I love to death. Probably run about 350 GBP and a little more power.


https://www.carvinguitars.com/products/single.php?product=BX1200
this amp seems to be a pretty great deal ... i'm still a bit confused about bridging.

- RMS 8 ohm 275W/ch, 4 ohm 400W/ch, 2ohm 600W/ch
- 8 ohms Bridge 800W, 4 ohms Bridge 1200W

so if i have two 8-ohm cabs, i'd be getting 275watts per channel?

and if i bridge them (which i don't entirely know how to do), i'd be getting basically 400watts per channel (cab)? Or would it then be 4ohm bridge at 1200watts?

Would it be better to have 2 4-ohm cabs (or an 8 and 4 ohm cab?)