Guest Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 Hi Guys! I've just joined up on BC after a fair while of lurking. Anyhow, I've just picked up my first proper bass amp an Ashdown (I've been using an old Trace Elliot combo, which has seen better days). I've never actually used a head and couple of cabs before, and this will be a painfully simple question, but hey ho. Speaker output from the head goes to the input of the first cab. Then to connect the second cab I take a speaker lead out of the link, of the first cab, into the input of the second cab? Or the link input? Anyway, apologies for a dumb question Cheers! Quote
Chienmortbb Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 Assuming both cabs are 8 ohms, that will be fine. If the Head had two output sockets it is better practice to take a cable from the head directly to each cabinet. Otherwise all the power goes into the top cable, Quote
warwickhunt Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 "[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] Then to connect the second cab I take a speaker lead out of the link, of the first cab, into the input of the second cab" [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]^ This[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]...BUT if your amp has two outputs it is better to connect one cab to each output. Nothing wrong with your first suggestion but preference is to do two outputs (if you have them).[/font][/color] Quote
bonzodog Posted February 25, 2017 Posted February 25, 2017 Yes as above the way you are doing it is fine. If your amp has two speaker outputs then connect one speaker to each but more and more amps only have one output. As mentioned above i am assuming your amp is probably 4ohm so you need to make sure your speakers are 8ohm each otherwise you will run into trouble. Quote
Guest Posted February 25, 2017 Posted February 25, 2017 Thanks for all the help guys! Yep, the head has one output of 4 ohms to be connected to 2 cabs 8 ohms a piece. Quote
bazzbass Posted February 28, 2017 Posted February 28, 2017 If you only use one output from the amp, and your speaker cable goes bung, you will lose output to both cabs, whereas if you use both amp outputs you will still have one working cab. Quote
Kev Posted February 28, 2017 Posted February 28, 2017 [quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1488257796' post='3247245'] If you only use one output from the amp, and your speaker cable goes bung, you will lose output to both cabs, whereas if you use both amp outputs you will still have one working cab. [/quote] He only has one output Just don't use cheap thin cables and you'll be fine. Quote
Guest Posted March 2, 2017 Posted March 2, 2017 Got some decent speakon leads, and all is good! I gigged it the other night, and I have never had such a clear tone! I gig in a 6 piece band so being able to actually hear what I'm playing makes a nice change Quote
lurkingbass Posted April 3, 2017 Posted April 3, 2017 (edited) [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Hi, another newbie here.[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]I bought Behringer Ultrabass BXD3000H head, which is [color=#000000]300W @ 4Ω or 180W @ 8Ω.[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]I want to buy [/color][/font][color=#000000][font=sans-serif]Harley Benton BB115T cab, which is [/font][/color][color=#000000][font=sans-serif]8 Ohm 200 Watt RMS.[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=sans-serif]I have 2 quesions:[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=sans-serif]1.) How do I know if head is in [/font][/color][color=#000000][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]4Ω or 8Ω mode? I assume I need to use it in [/font][/color][color=#000000][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]8Ω to be on a safe side.[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]2.) Which cable do I need to connect head with amp? There are few outputs on head and inputs on cab.[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]This is photo of head: [/font][/color][url="https://thumbs4.static-thomann.de/thumb/bdbmagic/pics/bdb/288556/8722847_800.jpg"]https://thumbs4.stat...8722847_800.jpg[/url][/size] [size=4]And this is cab: [url="https://thumbs4.static-thomann.de/thumb/bdbmagic/pics/bdb/238706/6088561_800.jpg"]https://thumbs4.stat...6088561_800.jpg[/url][/size] [size=4]Please advise. [/size] [size=4]Thanks![/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]EDIT: I found one review of this head, google translation from German: "[color=#141414]according to the official data sheet and user manual, there is as a speaker output both jack and a "professional speaker connection" (which is probably Speakon).[/color][color=#141414] [/color][/font][/size]In practice, however, it has only latch" He also posted photo of this head connected with this amp which you can see here: https://www.musiker-board.de/attachments/p1000044-jpg.278781/ Edited April 3, 2017 by lurkingbass Quote
Treb Posted April 3, 2017 Posted April 3, 2017 1. hook up an 8 ohm load and the amp can deliver 180 watts, hook up a 4 ohm load (two 8 ohm cabs [i]or[/i] one 4 ohm cab) and the amp can deliver 300 watts. 2. It looks like the amp only has a jack output, no speakon. Use a jack to speakon cable (as in the last picture), [i]never[/i] use a guitar cable. These jack to speakon cables can be bought ready-made. Quote
lurkingbass Posted April 3, 2017 Posted April 3, 2017 So amp has only jack output. Do I get any benefits using jack to speakon instead of jack to jack, in this particular case? Thanks! Quote
Dan Dare Posted April 3, 2017 Posted April 3, 2017 [quote name='lurkingbass' timestamp='1491226629' post='3271331'] So amp has only jack output. Do I get any benefits using jack to speakon instead of jack to jack, in this particular case? Thanks! [/quote] Probably not in terms of sound quality at lower power levels. Speakons are for higher current duties. They are more reliable, though, which is nice. So if you have the option to use them, probably worth doing so. Quote
lurkingbass Posted April 3, 2017 Posted April 3, 2017 Yes, I understand that. But in this case I am only able to connect jack to speakon. So, what you are saying is, it should be same as speakon to speakon, or did I misundersand? Tnx! Quote
Treb Posted April 3, 2017 Posted April 3, 2017 In your case you have no choice, you have use a jack plug at the amp side. At the cab you have a choice, either jack or speakon. With regard to the amps power output it doesn't really matter what you use both are fine. Just don't use a guitar cable! These are for low level signals only. Speakon is a better and safer method of connection however (twist-lock, capable of higher currents, larger contact surface area, can't be confused with signal levels (line, instrument) commonly using jack plugs). Quote
lurkingbass Posted April 3, 2017 Posted April 3, 2017 Everything understood now. I contacted Thomann regarding this and they suggested this cable: https://www.thomann.de/gb/pro_snake_bassamp_speakercable_15_m.htm I guess I'll go with that one. Thanks for helping me out everyone! Quote
bazzbass Posted April 5, 2017 Posted April 5, 2017 how the hell did we all survive in the 70s 80s and 90s using instrument cables as speaker cables ? Maybe because amps weren't as powerful as nowadays? Sometimes knowledge is a burden Quote
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