Author Topic: mismatched amp+cab watt-rating (Read 7076 times)

sambo · « **on:** January 07, 2007, 08:17:29 PM »

Just thinking about running my ENGL through a cab... and wanted to try it through my Hughes and Kettners 4x12.... then realised that the ENGL is 50 watts, whereas the cab is 100...

is it ok to use them together?

i should know this but like i said in the other thread i just have no idea when it comes to speakers/cabs e.t.c. as ive never had to deal with them at all.... cheers guys. :oops:

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #1 on:** January 07, 2007, 08:18:48 PM »

Yeah it's fine.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #2 on:** January 07, 2007, 08:26:08 PM »

more importantly, make sure the cab's impedance matches that of the amp.

38thBeatle · « **Reply #3 on:** January 07, 2007, 08:28:13 PM »

Sam, basically you need a cab that can more than cope with the power of the amp.In this case you have more than enough- the cab has the capability of handling up to 100w. Not as mind boggling as impedences.

38thBeatle · « **Reply #4 on:** January 07, 2007, 08:29:08 PM »

check, though, that the impedence matches.

maverickf1jockey · « **Reply #5 on:** January 07, 2007, 08:31:35 PM »

the more wattage in the cab the better!
you don't want to crank the amp and for speakers to suddenly fall to pieces do you?

sambo · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2007, 08:50:26 PM »

cheers guys, yer it makes more sense that the cabs need to be higher wattage than the amp lol.... silly me....

and HTH and beetle- i did exactly as you suggested and made sure about the impedance.

the ENGLs output options almost threw me though... as theres different options for 2x16, 1x16, 2x8, 1x8 and i was almost not sure about where to plug in due to the wording on the back. got it in the end though and sounds fine now.

how about unplugging though?

am i gonna have to turn the amp off before taking out the speaker cable of the cab?

and maverick- does the higher the wattage make a sonic difference? or is it just useful to have a bigger 'buffer zone' between the wattage of the amp+cab to ensure like you said, that it doesnt blow or something....?

cheers again for the replies guys, i dunno what id do without you lot some times. :D

38thBeatle · « **Reply #7 on:** January 07, 2007, 10:47:55 PM »

Hi Sam, yes turn the amp off before unplugging the speaker.

sambo · « **Reply #8 on:** January 07, 2007, 10:49:35 PM »

thanks again mate.

i really must catch up on basic amp stuff, im so far behind its embarassing.

dave_mc · « **Reply #9 on:** January 07, 2007, 11:42:22 PM »

Quote from: maverickf1jockey

the more wattage in the cab the better!
you don't want to crank the amp and for speakers to suddenly fall to pieces do you?

you don't want the cab's rating too high, though, or the amp won't push the speakers enough. As happens with my valve junior and 4x12 with vintage 30's.

sambo · « **Reply #10 on:** January 07, 2007, 11:43:34 PM »

i see i see.

so if i was gonna buy a new cab for the ENGL, it would have to be at least 50 watts, but no higher than...... ? a couple of 100?

dave_mc · « **Reply #11 on:** January 07, 2007, 11:46:40 PM »

^ depends on the speakers, but around about twice the wattage of the amp (for a tube) is about right.

To be fair, my VJ + Laney cab is about as extreme a mismatch as you're going to get- 5 watt amp, 240 watt cab, lol.

But yeah, something around 100- 200 watts for the cab should be fine. I dare say you'd even get away with a vintage-30 loaded 4x12 (240 watts mono). Problem is, valves can put out more than their rated wattage when pushed (up to about twice as much, so I hear), which is why you want the cab rated higher than the amp's nominal rating.

I think. :lol:

EDIT: you won't do any harm if it's too high, it just won't sound as good.

sambo · « **Reply #12 on:** January 07, 2007, 11:49:24 PM »

haha!... yer i did wonder whether valve/solid state would make a difference.

right ok, so i'll be needing (probably) a 100w or so cab.

got any recommendations btw dave? yours is a TT isnt it? or is that me being a fool as usual?

cheers

_tom_ · « **Reply #13 on:** January 07, 2007, 11:56:37 PM »

Quote from: dave_mc

^ depends on the speakers, but around about twice the wattage of the amp (for a tube) is about right.

To be fair, my VJ + Laney cab is about as extreme a mismatch as you're going to get- 5 watt amp, 240 watt cab, lol.

But yeah, something around 100- 200 watts for the cab should be fine. I dare say you'd even get away with a vintage-30 loaded 4x12 (240 watts mono). Problem is, valves can put out more than their rated wattage when pushed (up to about twice as much, so I hear), which is why you want the cab rated higher than the amp's nominal rating.

I think. :lol:

EDIT: you won't do any harm if it's too high, it just won't sound as good.

Hmmm.. using my Laney with a 60w cab.. it sounds fine so far but would I damage it? I dont ever crank it all the way up though I guess..

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #14 on:** January 08, 2007, 12:02:49 AM »

it's not just a matter of wattage either - depending on what speakers are in the cab you will get different tonal results.

a 100w Marshall 4x12 with Greenback (G12Ms) will give you that old school tone with some compression in the mids and that cone-cry with the amp cranked.

next step up is a Marshall 4x12 with G12H-30s... these are similar to the Greenbacks but with a tighter overall 'feel'. These are my favourite rock speaker. you'll probably have to special order a cab from Marshall with these speakers in.

you've then got 4x12s with V30s or G12T-75s... the V30-loaded cabs are great for modern metal whereas the G12T-75s-loaded cabs are better for 80s metal. I would pick neither of these for classic rock tones.

:twisted: