[pstratman]

A question about the Z-Wreck cab- the cab in question features a Celestian Gold and a Celestian Blue- the Gold is rated at 50 watts and the Blue is at 15. The Z Wreck is a 30 watt amp. I would like to use the cab with the Maz Gt which is a 38 watt amp. Do you think the Blue will be OK paired with Maz Gt- worried I might blow it. Usually only run the amp at about 9 to 10 o clock- this is very loud. Obviously not an expert in this type of thing. Looking for someone who might know.

 

[Chitmo]

The blue is actually 30 watts I believe. When dealing with power it's not the same as impedance calculations. If you have a 30 watt speaker + a 50 watt speaker in a cabinet, you have a cabinet rated for 80 watts. It's just a matter of adding to power of each speaker up.

Cheers

 

[StevieMac]

The blue is actually 30 watts I believe. When dealing with power it's not the same as impedance calculations. If you have a 30 watt speaker + a 50 watt speaker in a cabinet, you have a cabinet rated for 80 watts. It's just a matter of adding to power of each speaker up.

Cheers

Since the OP is trying to avoid blowing an expensive speaker, I'll challenge the validity of this advice on 2 counts. First, the Blue is only rated at 15 watts, there is no higher wattage version. Second, in a multi-speaker set up with speakers of the same impedance, power gets distributed evenly. In a 38 watt amp then, each speaker (in a pair) "should" be rated for at least 19 watts. It sounds like you're not running it full out BUT there could still be some risk to the lower wattage Blue. With that said, Blues are often run at or very close to their 15 watt rating on a regular basis and still seem to survive. The willingness to assume this risk then is entirely up to you.

 

[cboutilier]

I would challenge the validity of this advice on 2 counts. First, the Blue is only rated at 15 watts....period. Second, in a multi-speaker set up with speakers of the same impedance, power gets distributed evenly. In a 38 watt amp then, each speaker (in a pair) "should" be rated for at least 19 watts. It sounds like you're not running it full out BUT there could still be some risk to the lower wattage Blue. With that said, Blues are often run at or very close to their 15 watt rating on a regular basis and still seem to survive. The willingness to assume this risk then is entirely up to you.

What he said! It's a risk I would be willing to take as long as you're not an all knobs on 11 kind of guy

 

[Chitmo]

Since the OP is trying to avoid blowing an expensive speaker, I'll challenge the validity of this advice on 2 counts. First, the Blue is only rated at 15 watts, there is no higher wattage version. Second, in a multi-speaker set up with speakers of the same impedance, power gets distributed evenly. In a 38 watt amp then, each speaker (in a pair) "should" be rated for at least 19 watts. It sounds like you're not running it full out BUT there could still be some risk to the lower wattage Blue. With that said, Blues are often run at or very close to their 15 watt rating on a regular basis and still seem to survive. The willingness to assume this risk then is entirely up to you.

Well then, disregard me. I guess I'm lucky not to have blown up expensive speakers

 

[pstratman]

Thanks guys!

 

[High/Deaf]

The speaker's impedances and wiring are critical in this, as well. If your Blue was a 16 ohm (OK, 15, potato, potahto) and your Gold was 8 ohms (and they were in parallel), the Gold would dissipate twice the power of the Blue, a slightly better balance. And you could divide the power 1/3 (Blue) and 2/3 (Gold).

But assuming the same efficiencies, the 8 ohm Gold would be louder by 3dB than the 15 ohm Blue. So except for close mic'ing or putting the Blue on the top of a 212 vertical cab, it may get lost in the mix.

And if you are playing the amp anywhere near power amp clipping, always assume more power than the rates suggest, which are a relatively low distortion levels (we need a somewhat level playing field to rate amps, and this is one way of trying to do that).

 

[Sugar]

What he said! It's a risk I would be willing to take as long as you're not an all knobs on 11 kind of guy

Exactly, would be fine as long as you don't have everything cranked to 10.

 

[StevieMac]

Exactly, would be fine as long as you don't have everything cranked to 10.

If the amp goes to 11 though, we'd definitely have to recalculate.....

 

[lovetoplay]

Power handling capacity in a 2-speaker cabinet is twice the power of the lowest speaker, 30 watt speaker and 50 watt speaker equals 60 watts. Assuming both speakers are the same impedance.