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Can you convert an 8 ohm cab to 4 ohms?


Clarky
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I have an Acme 8 ohm 2x10 cab that I have been trying to sell unsuccessfully. Its fabulous sounding (studio quality, a la Euphonic Audio) but not very loud and apparently needs a good 600W through it to push any serious air. The 4 ohm version I am told is plenty loud and is what I should have bought.

Question for you more technically minded - is is possible to convert an 8 ohm cab to 4 ohms simply and at relatively low expense (obviously via an electrical specialist not by an idiot like me!)?

I am sure I could get it done if I sent back to the manufacturer but thats not an option as Acme are in the US.

Edited by Clarky
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[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1330297590' post='1555500']
Thanks Dave, ho hum. Looks like a great sounding practice (as opposed to gigging) cab on my hands for the foreseeable future then!
[/quote]

if you can't take the impedance down then take the watts up and drive it from a bridged power amp that will deliver oodles of watts into 8-ohms.

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I agree with the Foxen... I had 2 4 Ohm Acme Low B2s and actually rewired them so they were 16 Ohm. Even that didn't change perceived volume. Though it did stop me blowing fuses and melting transistors in my amp.

They just aren't particularly efficient cabs. They sound great, go low and do go dead loud when pushed with the right juice, but they do need the right juice.

I much prefer 8 Ohm cabs now. Not sure I'd ever consider a 4 Ohm one again.

Edited by bigjohn
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Maybe something like [url="http://www.glockenklang.de/en/products/bass_systems/impedance-transformer.htm"]this[/url] would do what you want? Don't know what effect it'd have in practical terms or how much it'd cost to try, but I saw it when I was reading up on onboard pre-amps the other day, so thought I'd mention it.

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[quote name='Ed_S' timestamp='1330353830' post='1556030']
Maybe something like [url="http://www.glockenklang.de/en/products/bass_systems/impedance-transformer.htm"]this[/url] would do what you want? Don't know what effect it'd have in practical terms or how much it'd cost to try, but I saw it when I was reading up on onboard pre-amps the other day, so thought I'd mention it.
[/quote]

The function of that box is allow you to connect speakers or arrays of speakers into amps with different impedances without causing damage isn't it?

What I'd be doing with 2 4Ohm Acmes is doing what I did with them. Turn them into 2 16 Ohm cabs. Then do what I should have done with them and run them in parallel using a nice powerful bridged power amp at 8 Ohm. Or singly @ 16 Ohm.

The problem I found with them @ 4 Ohm (even without a low B ) is the strain they put on the power transistors. Even amps that should be able to run them get very hot! This is because you have to give them plenty of power because of their relative inefficiency and their proficiency at reproducing low end which draws even more power than you think you are hearing.

Didn't have a problem at all after they were required. Amps ran noticeably cooler at higher gain.

Edited by bigjohn
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[quote name='bigjohn' timestamp='1330355787' post='1556082']
The function of that box is allow you to connect speakers or arrays of speakers into amps with different impedances without causing damage isn't it?
[/quote]

Yeah, appears to be just a matching transformer, so will turn 8 to 4 or vice versa for whatever reason you like. I was more replying to the OP than commenting on your setup, though. Sorry for the confusion - I should have quoted! :)

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http://www.soundindustry.co.uk/acatalog/W-Audio-1100W-1U-Amplifier-Horizon1100-47.html

I have one of these Clarky - in fact, you played through it for a while on Saturday.

If you want to bring your cab round here, you're welcome to fire it up and see what you think as a means of pumping through enough wattage.

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[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1330357508' post='1556128']
[url="http://www.soundindustry.co.uk/acatalog/W-Audio-1100W-1U-Amplifier-Horizon1100-47.html"]http://www.soundindu...zon1100-47.html[/url]

I have one of these Clarky - in fact, you played through it for a while on Saturday.

If you want to bring your cab round here, you're welcome to fire it up and see what you think as a means of pumping through enough wattage.
[/quote]
Thanks Jack, kind offer but I'm not looking to buy another amp. Already got two perfectly decent amps (Markbass F1 and AI Clarus) and was hoping there's a quick/easy/cheap way of converting my cab. It appears not, in which case it remians for sale until such time someone moseys along wanting a clear cab for double bass or for studio use :rolleyes:

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