Break up and impedance question.... [message #6770] |
Sun, 12 March 2006 18:56 |
MikeB
Messages: 12 Registered: March 2006
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Junior Member |
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Hello:
I have a couple of 2X15 cabs with reconed Altec 421A's. The speakers are 8 ohms in parallel to make a 4 ohm load in each cabinet.I have been splitting the signal from my bass and a Sans Amp DI into 2 K200 heads- a B1 and a B4 (one for each cab). They sound great- plenty loud at 9 or 10 o'clock- but start to break up after that. My question- is there a way to wire two 8 ohm speakers to get an 8 ohm load and would that enable me to get MORE VOLUME?
It seems that the heads are capable of even more but turning past 12 o'clock seriously degrades the tone, etc. Oh, did I mention they are all RED SPARKLE? Just kidding they are all black- but they look very cool with their little 3" chrome voice coil covers peeking through the grilles. thanks
Mike in WI
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Re: Break up and impedance question.... [message #6772 is a reply to message #6770] |
Mon, 13 March 2006 07:59 |
LesS
Messages: 478 Registered: December 2002
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Senior Member |
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With the average input, it is normal to get full volume at about 10 o’clock.
The preamps in the Kustoms were fairly sensitive.
Is it pretty loud?
If it is not loud enough for you, 100 watts for bass is not a lot, you might need more power – 400 watts or more.
Have you checked each speaker with a multimeter?
Stock Altecs sometimes have very low measured impedances.
I have owned several 8 ohm Altecs that measured 4.3 to 4.4 ohms.
Also, with a recone, it could have been reconed with a 16 ohm voice coil.
I would reduce the amount of bass boost, if any, that you are using. I would set the bass control on 12 o'clock or a little lower. This will give you more headroom.
(see the posting titled: Bass Distorts on Volume 4 from April 15, 2004)
-Les S
[Updated on: Mon, 13 March 2006 08:02] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Break up and impedance question.... [message #6775 is a reply to message #6772] |
Mon, 13 March 2006 11:09 |
MikeB
Messages: 12 Registered: March 2006
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Junior Member |
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Thanks for the reply. The amps are loud...so I guess they are working as they should. In fact the B4 has been completely gone through by a tech. All 4 speakers are newly reconed. Apparently 10 or 11 o'clock is peak operating range, then. My basses are passive- a Fender and a Rick. I HIGHLY recommend the SansAmp D.I. to anyone looking to maximize their tonal options through these amazing amps.
Mike in WI
[Updated on: Mon, 13 March 2006 11:10] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Break up and impedance question.... [message #6778 is a reply to message #6777] |
Tue, 14 March 2006 09:09 |
MikeB
Messages: 12 Registered: March 2006
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Junior Member |
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Thanks, Ed. The tech 21 SansAmp does what you're describing- shapes the signal- plus it has an XLR out to the house- and it's active (9v). I always use it now, no matter what I play through. I also have a SC150 w/two Scorpion 10's and the SansAmp really makes that one sound bigger. That's a great little bass amp!
Mike in WI
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