AmpTalk.com

[calebkingofscots]

Okay I've got a noob question, may have already been asked but I cruised the topics and didn't see one that answered it specifically.

If I had a 100w amp head and then I hooked up two speaker cabinets to it, would each cab run at 50w or would they both run at 100w?

In other words, by hooking up two cabinets do you effectively double your volume or is it just going to spread the wattage across both cabs?

[tw001_tw]

output watts / number of speakers = watts per speaker

example:
100W amp into 1 4x12 cabinet = each speaker gets 25W
(100 / 4 = 25)

100W amp into 1 2x12 cabinet = each speaker gets 50W
(100 / 2 = 50)

100W amp into 2 2x12 cabinet = each speaker gets 25W
(4 speakers just as in the 4x12 example)
(100 / 4 = 25)

100W amp into 1 3x12 cabinet = each speaker gets 33.3W
(100 / 3 = 3.33)

To answer your volume question..... kind of? You do push more air with
an additional cabinet which certainly does have an effect on perceived volume.
Its pretty simple in most cases for us guitarist. If you go adding cabs,
make sure your impedance is right

[BritishSteel]

Also check your documenation for the amp. It is sometimes require to change the Impedence switch over when adding cabinets/speakers to the line.

[calebkingofscots]

Okay thanks, that answers my question.

As far as the impedance goes I read up on it a little and I know the one I'm looking at switches between 4/8/16ohms. The cabinets are rated at 16 ohms, so for one cab I set it for 16 and then for two I just set it for 8, right?

[BritishSteel]

You got it, unless it is wired up for stereo in which case you may not have to but generally you will. It won't hurt to run over impenence cabinets but running under will give you a bad day. What amp are you using if I might ask?

[calebkingofscots]

Right now I'm looking at the Hiwatt Custom 50. I like the sound of the Hiwatts, but you definitely pay for it... haha