So, I'm a nerd...I love information...lol. I've got an Orange Micro Dark that's 20W, 15V and 2A. I'm looking to upgrade my little 1×8 cab for at least a 2×12. So, how to I decide on a cabinet with series vs parallel as far as ohms go?
Animal - The Orange website lists the Orange Micro Dark as a 20W output amp with a single 12AX7 (tube) in the preamp section. It recommends a single cabinet with an impedance of between 8 and 16 ohms. Remember that the limiting factor is the ability of the amp to handle the current draw of the speakers. Specific to your question, if you want a 2X12 cabinet, I would try to find one with 16 ohm speakers and wire them in parallel, resulting in 8 ohm load. (Or, get a cabinet with 8 ohm speakers and wire them in series, resulting in 16 ohm load). You would think that the 8 ohm cabinet would be louder, but in my experience, there won't be much difference. You might also consider a cabinet with a single 12 or 15 inch speaker (my personal recommendation). Unless you're running the amp wide open and playing a heavily distorted guitar, you won't drive the amp into clipping and a high current draw situation. On a side note, it's amazing how loud a 20 watt amp can be. If you can, take your amp to a couple of music stores and try out different cabinets. Also, the Orange website says this amp is intended as a practice amp. If the reason you want to move to a 2X12 cabinet is to play in a band, my recommendation would be to go with a single 12 speaker and mic it into the PA board. You'll have much better control over your tone that way. Good luck. Ben Price - San Antonio. One last thing, for this amp, stay away from any cabinet that is rated at 4 ohms or less.
Great video Ben, enjoyed watching it, very helpful!
So, I'm a nerd...I love information...lol. I've got an Orange Micro Dark that's 20W, 15V and 2A. I'm looking to upgrade my little 1×8 cab for at least a 2×12. So, how to I decide on a cabinet with series vs parallel as far as ohms go?
Animal - The Orange website lists the Orange Micro Dark as a 20W output amp with a single 12AX7 (tube) in the preamp section. It recommends a single cabinet with an impedance of between 8 and 16 ohms. Remember that the limiting factor is the ability of the amp to handle the current draw of the speakers. Specific to your question, if you want a 2X12 cabinet, I would try to find one with 16 ohm speakers and wire them in parallel, resulting in 8 ohm load. (Or, get a cabinet with 8 ohm speakers and wire them in series, resulting in 16 ohm load). You would think that the 8 ohm cabinet would be louder, but in my experience, there won't be much difference. You might also consider a cabinet with a single 12 or 15 inch speaker (my personal recommendation). Unless you're running the amp wide open and playing a heavily distorted guitar, you won't drive the amp into clipping and a high current draw situation. On a side note, it's amazing how loud a 20 watt amp can be. If you can, take your amp to a couple of music stores and try out different cabinets. Also, the Orange website says this amp is intended as a practice amp. If the reason you want to move to a 2X12 cabinet is to play in a band, my recommendation would be to go with a single 12 speaker and mic it into the PA board. You'll have much better control over your tone that way. Good luck. Ben Price - San Antonio. One last thing, for this amp, stay away from any cabinet that is rated at 4 ohms or less.
@@ve3cda Thank u so much!