Power amp Impedance question

[rodrigo_echeverri]

Guys,

If my power amp has the following outputs:

1 - 8 ohm
2 - 4 ohm

Can I connect them all in series to create a 16 ohm output?... is that what mesa intended? (and never told the user!)... I know their support engineer doesn't know the answer to this question because I talked to him already...

I ask bacause my 2x12 cab is 16 ohms per channel and I know I am losing some tone in my current connection ... [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

[ May 13, 2003, 10:21 PM: Message edited by: rodrigo_echeverri ]

[DRH]

Re: Power amp Impedance question

Hi Rodrigo,

by 16 Ohms per channel do you mean each speaker is completely separate? If so, couldn't you connect the speakers in parallel and use output 1 to drive them?


DRH

[rodrigo_echeverri]

Re: Power amp Impedance question

DRH,

My cabinet only has two speakers. Each speaker is 16 ohms. I want to use the thing in stereo!... I can get an 8 ohm load by connecting the speakers in parallel but I wont have stereo... that is the problem....

[rstites]

Re: Power amp Impedance question

You can't connect speaker outs in series. The thing to do is just connect from the 8 ohm out on each channel to each 16 ohm speaker and just live with the mismatch. Long-term, it'd be nice to get an 8 ohm load on each side of the power amp, but short term it shouldn't hurt anything.

[rodrigo_echeverri]

Re: Power amp Impedance question

thanks Ross... that's the right answer to the question I think... actually I am trying right now and I cant hear the different in the tone under the unmatched load from the 20/20... its staying like that...

[ May 17, 2003, 12:34 AM: Message edited by: rodrigo_echeverri ]

[slayer]

Re: Power amp Impedance question

Roddy, is that 2x12 the Madison? Man I been really digging mine, I love the speakers because of the serious SCOOPED sound they produce, I can`t stand too much Midrange. I am going to buy one of their 4x12`s soon [img]graemlins/headbang.gif[/img] Jack.

[rodrigo_echeverri]

Re: Power amp Impedance question

Jack,

Yeah that is the Madison... I think mine is one of the early ones when the speakers they made were all 16 ohms... not very convenient... I do know they have them with 8 ohm speakers now....

If you get one of their 4x12 just make sure what the impedances are... it should be 8 ohms in stereo which your amp will handle... actually John (cleve) tells me his VHT head has 16 ohm outputs... this problem is actually not Madison's but Mesa's... it is stupid they dont put 16 ohm outputs in their power amps....

Did you get setup recording yet?... when are you going to submit your first mp3?...

P.S. Hey, the Madison sign on my cab fell off!... I actually didnt mind it because I always thought it was kind of silly looking and now it just looks more badass since it is all black with the metal grill all exposed in front.. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[slayer]

Re: Power amp Impedance question

Ya Roddy, my Madsion has the Newer 8 ohm Mono setup. I just ordered a 4x12 Straight Cabinet!! These speaker are the best scooped sound I have ever heard without modding, the 4x12 is going to blow the walls down with my VHT hooked up to it [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] I didn`t get the recording stuff yet, but I kept all of the info you sent me and will surely buy that stuff soon [img]graemlins/toast.gif[/img] Jack.

[rodrigo_echeverri]

Re: Power amp Impedance question

Originally posted by slayer:
my Madsion has the Newer 8 ohm Mono setup.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Mine is also 8 ohm mono but 16 ohm stereo.. we have the same cabinet...

I am sure that 4x12 is going to do some pretty serious damage in your neighbourhood!... [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

How much was that, like $350?... (if you dont mind me asking)...

[slayer]

Re: Power amp Impedance question

It cost me $380 Shipped, and I got it with the Black Cone speakers, I don`t care for the Green ones that come standard with them. I would rather the speakers not be visable thru the metal grilling. I will send pictures to you when I get it [img]graemlins/toast.gif[/img] Jack.