Combo + Cab compatibility?

[ShredFetus]

Allright, I've got my 80w Peavey Bandit sitting ontop of a Marshall 4x12. The speaker out on the bandit is min. 8 ohms and the Marshall is an 8 ohm box, so no problems there I guess.

BUT what I wanna know, is it ok to leave the Bandit's speaker going or should I disconnect it? I don't think it's soldered in, it's just connected by lugs so it won't be hard to disconnect it.

It's late so I don't have time to test it now, but I thought I'd ask first before I blew something up for some odd reason!

Leave it or disconnect it???

Thanks guys!

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Combo + Cab compatibility?

I'm a bit confused by your post but....

I don't think it's soldered in, it's just connected by lugs so it won't be hard to disconnect it.

This leads me to think you only have an extension speaker out and that the internal speaker is wired directly to the amp and not via a standard jack. If that's the case the amp might not like you not using the internal speaker and you might run the danger of frying your amp if you disconnect it and accidently turn the amp on without plugging in your 4x12 cab.

So a bit of clarification is in order.

How many speaker jacks does the amp have? What are they named? What's is plugged in where at the moment? ....+ any other silk screened info on that back that might be relevant.

 

[ShredFetus]

Re: Combo + Cab compatibility?

Ok, it's a combo amp, so naturally there is already a 12" speaker wired in there. It is wired in there, but it's not soldered, the connectors just slide into position (lugs?). These wires come from up inside the amp.

Then on the back of the amp there is an "external speaker, 100watts, 20VRMS, 8 OHMS MIN. LOAD" This is where I'm connecting the quad to. This is the only speaker output jack.

Hope this helps, thanks for your time!

 

[HamerPlyr]

Re: Combo + Cab compatibility?

From the manual for a Peavey Bandit:
"Minimum external speaker impedance is 8 ohms (4 ohm total impedance)."

That means that the way that you're using it now is fine.

Find the manual here: http://www.peavey.com/search.cfm?c=3&lang=&term=Bandit

For the sake of it, the formula for speakers added in parallel is 8 Ohm x 8 Ohm / 8 Ohm + 8 Ohm = 64/16 = 4 Ohm load, for example.

 

[ShredFetus]

Re: Combo + Cab compatibility?

Thanks for the manual info! It works fine how I have it now, but the Bandits Sheffield speaker is just no match for the Marshalls Celestions! Would it do the amp any harm if I disconnected it??? Or is there at least a way to remove some of its icepicky frequencies? I think I heard a bit of tape placed correctly on the front can help this???

 

[HamerPlyr]

Re: Combo + Cab compatibility?

From an impedance standpoint, you'll be fine if you disconnect the combo's speaker, but you need to be careful. If you accidentally fire up the amp without the cabinet or the internal speaker attached (no speaker load), you stand to do some serious damage to your amp.

 

[ShredFetus]

Re: Combo + Cab compatibility?

So it's ok if I disconnect it, but I have to have the external cab plugged in? I suppose the load has to go somewhere! Also do I have to do anything to the wires once I disconnect them from the speaker? I think it would be a good idea to tape them up and not let them touch...?


Edit: And it says in the manual that the Studio Pro automatically cuts out it's speaker when an external cab is plugged in...why not the bandit?

 

[HamerPlyr]

Re: Combo + Cab compatibility?

So it's ok if I disconnect it, but I have to have the external cab plugged in? I suppose the load has to go somewhere! Also do I have to do anything to the wires once I disconnect them from the speaker? I think it would be a good idea to tape them up and not let them touch...?


Edit: And it says in the manual that the Studio Pro automatically cuts out it's speaker when an external cab is plugged in...why not the bandit?

Yep, I'd electrical tape 'em up. Maybe a better way to do it, but that's what I would do. I would also put a little reminder note on the back by the ext. speaker jack to always have the cab plugged in!

Actually, I would hate it if my amp automatically disconnected the internal speaker. I use 'em both.

 

[LiquidSky]

Re: Combo + Cab compatibility?

I run a Spyder combo through a 4x12 cab and I have both speakers disconnected in the combo because it just sounds better to me. Haven't had any problems and I've been running it like this for a few months now.

 

[ShredFetus]

Re: Combo + Cab compatibility?

Cool, thanks guys!