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bridged amp for subs or not????


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we've got a system with (2) Peavey sp218 subs. Right now we use (1) Bridged PV2600 for each sub. We were told it's best NOT to run the amps bridged.

 

Our subs are a little older model and only have the 1/4" input (not speakon). If the speakon was there, we could run a channel from each amp to each speaker in each cabinet. But it's not.

 

So should I re-wire the cabs up to be able to run them that way? Or should I just leave the amps bridged and run them the way they are?

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That's a lot of power in case you have an accident or lapse of good jusgement. The amp is also not rated for heavy duty bridged 4 ohm operation but is pretty well built for conservative use that way IMO.

 

IMO, 900 watts per box (the per channel 4 ohm rating) is a good match for the older Peavey subs and the amount of additional SPL is pretty minimal going to much higher power due to power compression and the added risk for damage. IMO, you can get just as much useable output allowing the amp to hit the DDT limiting without the mechanical rsik to the drivers over the long term. Just don't drive it too hard into limiting that you take away from the dynamics of the subs.

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That's a lot of power in case you have an accident or lapse of good jusgement. The amp is also not rated for heavy duty bridged 4 ohm operation but is pretty well built for conservative use that way IMO.

 

 

The PV2600 will run fine in bridge mode at 4 ohms ... but it will not pass the UL requirements when run that way so Peavey doesn't list it as such (although some manufacturers do:poke:). It's all about heat.

 

Should you do it? Well you get more power but if you run the amp in a low dynamic range situation you'll be running closer to current limiting so it probably won't sound as good. In a high dynamic range situation you won't have the problem.

 

Running high power demands running smart. Are you running smart? Andy is correct ... little accidents will be expensive.

 

It's all a tradeoff

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