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Post new topic Getting 8 ohms out or two 4 ohm speakers
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Author Topic:  Getting 8 ohms out or two 4 ohm speakers
Jim Eller


From:
Kodak, TN (Michigan transplant)
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 8:27 am    
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I recently purchased a Boss Katana head an it calls for a minimum load of 8 ohms. All three of my speaker cabs(with Eminence, Tilonics and BW's) are loaded with 4 ohms speakers.

If I jump from one cab to the other(parallel hook up), I believe I end up with a 2 ohm load. According to my ohm meter.

So the question is how do I connect two separate cabs in series to get the needed 8 ohm load??

I'm sure this is not rocket science but I missing something here.

Please enlighten me. Thanks. JimE
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Paul Sutherland

 

From:
Placerville, California
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 9:04 am    
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You need to wire the speakers in series. There's lots of diagrams online of series vs. parallel wiring.
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Jim Eller


From:
Kodak, TN (Michigan transplant)
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 9:17 am    
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Paul,

I understand that and it doesn't create a problem if they are in one cabinet. But............ what about separate cabinets. Thanks. JimE
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Georg Sørtun


From:
Mandal, Agder, Norway
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 9:35 am    
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Same thing ... just more cable.
Only minus from amp to one cab/speaker, and only plus from amp to the other cab/speaker. A wire connected between the cabs/speakers to get them in series.
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Dick Sexton


From:
Greenville, Ohio
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 9:38 am     Series Cable
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Jim this is one way of doing it. Does not require rewiring a cabinet. Cable can be any length, requires 3 male 1/4 connectors.




Or...




Last edited by Dick Sexton on 5 Sep 2017 9:47 am; edited 1 time in total
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Paul Sutherland

 

From:
Placerville, California
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 9:42 am    
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I didn't mean to offend Jim. Lots of folks don't know things as simple as series versus parallel wiring. Since you mentioned using an ohm meter I should have realized you were a bit more savvy.
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Jim Eller


From:
Kodak, TN (Michigan transplant)
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 10:13 am    
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Paul,

I wasn't offended at all. Just trying to clarify. Sorry if I cam across in that manner.

Just because I own a meter that can read ohms doesn't mean I know anything. Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy

JimE
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Jim Eller


From:
Kodak, TN (Michigan transplant)
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 10:19 am    
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Thanks Dick.

I was hoping that wasn't the way I had to do it.

What a wire mess that's gonna create on the outside of the cabinets. Very Happy Especially if I get them far apart.

JimE

PS: Just went back and took a second look at option 2. That simplifies it a little and probably could be put in a small box to contain the wiring then just use two speaker cables to the cabs. Thanks.
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Dick Sexton


From:
Greenville, Ohio
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 11:39 am     Small Box...
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Jim, that is exactly what I would do. Might even use 3 female connectors in the box so I could use whatever cables I had. Just need to label everything real good and not use that box for something that would be harmed by it. My problem is, I'd forget what I made the box for. Lol! Good luck, my friend...
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Jim Eller


From:
Kodak, TN (Michigan transplant)
Post  Posted 5 Sep 2017 12:24 pm    
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That is the plan Dick.

Just ordered the boxes and female plugs to do a couple of them. Thanks for the help and drawings. I'm old and pictures are worth a thousand words. Very Happy JimE
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John Russell

 

From:
Austin, Texas
Post  Posted 6 Sep 2017 11:34 am     What about an 8-ohm speaker?
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If that works, fine. I have the Katana amp head and a couple of 4-ohm 15" speakers (both with neodymium magnets) but would rather not haul two speakers. Does anyone make an 8-ohm 15" neo speaker? I bought a Travis Toy Eminence 12" 8-ohm speaker and I have an older EV 15" (8-ohm) but it's heavy and I'd like to get a 15 for the Katana that's lighter. Suggestions?
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Roman Sonnleitner


From:
Vienna, Austria
Post  Posted 6 Sep 2017 12:01 pm    
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There's a 8 Ohm version of the Jensen Neo 15"-150. I have that in a homemade amp. sounds great, and weighs nothing, compared to other speakers...
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Randy Owens


From:
West Central Indiana, USA
Post  Posted 7 Sep 2017 12:39 am    
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I had the same dilemma with my Ampeg G15 that has a single 8 ohm, 15" Jensen speaker. I wanted to use my two D130s that are in separate cabinets (4 ohms). After a PM conversation with Ken Fox, I made up a harness that is wired just like Dick's diagram and it works great. Just be sure to use speaker wire rated for your amp's output.
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Willie Sims

 

From:
PADUCAH, KY, USA
Post  Posted 10 Sep 2017 10:37 am    
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you may already know, to use speaker wire and not guitar cables.for your speaker hook up;s.
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Jim Eller


From:
Kodak, TN (Michigan transplant)
Post  Posted 10 Sep 2017 11:02 am    
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Yup. Speaker wire it is. JimE
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Jim Eller


From:
Kodak, TN (Michigan transplant)
Post  Posted 10 Sep 2017 3:46 pm    
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Dick,

Followed the drawing and it worked fine..... until I put it in 2x4 box and it said 4 ohms instead of 8ohms.

Couldn't figure out where I went wrong................until I realize the box was aluminum.

Go ahead, have a good laugh. Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy

Thanks, JimE
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Dick Sexton


From:
Greenville, Ohio
Post  Posted 10 Sep 2017 4:55 pm     Ooops!
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Sorry Jim, should have mentioned I was thinking outside the box. Hehe! Easy fix...
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