Quick speaker/impedence question

[Cory_Dylan]

OK dumb question... I'll put it simple as possible.

Is there anything wrong with putting 2 speakers that are in parallel with eachother - in series with a single speaker? (2 16 ohms in parallel - in series with an 8 ohm speaker for a 16 ohm load) nder:

FYI, I just had one of those light bulb moments.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Quick speaker/impedence question

no

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Quick speaker/impedence question

No, EXCEPT...

They won't share the power equally. In this particular case, the 16's will each take 1/4 the total power, and the 8 will take 1/2. There are a couple of ramifications to this. First, the tone may not be balanced the way you like. Second, the 8-ohm speaker must be rated for 1/2 the power you're going to throw at it, not 1/3 like you might think.

Thus educated, go for it and have fun.

 

[Cory_Dylan]

Re: Quick speaker/impedence question

No, EXCEPT...

They won't share the power equally. In this particular case, the 16's will each take 1/4 the total power, and the 8 will take 1/2. There are a couple of ramifications to this. First, the tone may not be balanced the way you like. Second, the 8-ohm speaker must be rated for 1/2 the power you're going to throw at it, not 1/3 like you might think.

Thus educated, go for it and have fun.

Interesting. I thought about balance issues. I have two speakers rated at 30 watts in the cab, and if I were to go through with my plan I would put a 60 watt speaker (vintage 30) in my amp.

I was hoping it would all be balanced though. I think I'll probably end up just converting my speakerless combo to a head. My goal was to be able to grab my amp and go when I need to, but be able to plug in the ext. cab when I need to and have correct impedence. I don't like the idea of the speaker in the amp receiving all more power, though.

Hmm... there goes my awesome idea!! :laugh2:

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Quick speaker/impedence question

I would go ahead and try it. I'm a big fan of combos for their grab-it-and-go factor, and then augmenting them with a cab when you need the extra oomph.

 

[doveman]

Re: Quick speaker/impedence question

I have done this with my Mesa Boogie. The regular amp has an 8 ohm EVM12L that can take huge power. I have recently purchased a 2x10 (2 16 ohm in parallel makes 8 ohm) speaker cabinet with Eminence 75w speakers. It's true that the EVM gets twice the power as the Eminence. But the two
Eminence have more cubic inches of speaker material.

So when it's all said and done, the EVM is slightly louder but not much. Actually works well and I can use it I want to ... mic either a 10" or a 12".

It's a pretty nice setup ... works well.