Amp/speaker cable question

  • Thread starter Thread starter reflux
  • Start date Start date
R

reflux

New member
OK, so I bought a new all-tube KILLER sounding combo amp with 4-10" to finally replace my shitty sounding solid state amp--OK, the clean channel was and still is fantastic, but the lead channel sounded like a mouse trying to dig out of a cereal box.

The one thing I'd like to do is add a 2x12 extension cabinet to my current amp--lo and behold, my old combo has a 2 12"s in it. What I'd like to do is unplug the speakers from the old amp and use it as the extension...

So here are my questions...

1)Has anyone ever seen a cable that will go from 1/4" male to the two (four, since I'm using two speakers) tabs that slide onto the actual speaker connectors? (prolly not)

2)How would I go about making one? Obviously go to Radio Shack and buy the 1/4" connector and the tabs, but how will the connections (hot, ground) connect in the 1/4" connector to ensure that they end up putting the speakers in parallel (since my amp needs to drive a 4 ohm load)?
 
I have seen cables like that, but I wouldnt suggest doing that. I had a similar situation and I drilled a hole in the back of the cab and wired the speakers to a 1/4" input.
 
These folks have just about everything:

http://www.partsexpress.com/index.cfm

Buy the parts and put a 1/4 jack on back of cabinet for connection.

What is impendance of the existing 2x12 speakers? You will also need to be sure final result in wired so that the two cabinets are in phase.


Ed
 
Thanks....the existing speakers are 8 ohms each, so once they're in parallel, I'll have the necessary 4 ohm impedance I need.

So if I make the cables myself, what's the connection in the jack like? i.e., tip is hot, sleeve is ground?
 
With the 4 ohm 2x12 cabinet and your existing 4x10 cabinet (impedance not mentioned), you will likely be less than a 4 ohm load. Going below the rated min may cause amp problems.

What is impedance of 4x10?

Ed
 
Honestly, I'm not sure, but the manual that came with the driving amp said that it could/should be connected to an extension cabinet with a 4 ohm load, and obviously 8ohms||8ohms is 4ohms. Again, it's a combo amp, so the impedance of the 4x10 doesn't much matter (the way it's balanced) as long as the extension cab is 4ohms.
 
Thought your comments about 4 ohm load was for amp in total and not extension cabinet. If labeled for 4 ohms extension, then all is well.

Wire in parellel for 4 ohms. You will have to try each combin of pos/net to speaker terminals to determine which combination is in phase.


Ed
 
Back
Top