Running EVH 50 watt at 8 ohms

[EyesOfTheSouth]

I've read numerous times about the EVH 50 not liking 8 ohm loads. However, there is no description or explanation of why.

All of my cabs are 8 ohm and I think it sounds great. But this talk makes me wonder if I'm missing something. Can anyone shed some light on this???

 

[JamesPeters]

A few possible explanations:

-A difference in sound of the 8 ohm version of a particular speaker, compared to the 16 ohm version (sometimes even the spec sheets show a difference in the EQ response)

-Running speakers in series versus parallel will change the sound due to how the inductance of the speakers are combined (for instance I prefer parallel-series instead of series-parallel for this reason, even though it's not a big difference in sound)

-Considerations about combining multiple cabinets with one amp head might limit his choices of impedance per cabinet

-It's EVH.

 

[EyesOfTheSouth]

A few possible explanations:

-A difference in sound of the 8 ohm version of a particular speaker, compared to the 16 ohm version (sometimes even the spec sheets show a difference in the EQ response)

-Running speakers in series versus parallel will change the sound due to how the inductance of the speakers are combined (for instance I prefer parallel-series instead of series-parallel for this reason, even though it's not a big difference in sound)

-Considerations about combining multiple cabinets with one amp head might limit his choices of impedance per cabinet

-It's EVH.

Thanks James. I agree with everything you said. I understand the tone differences between series/parallel and parallel/series. I have experimented with both and there is definitely a difference. I also tend to prefer 8ohm speakers over their 16ohm counterparts. I find them "slightly" more compressed/focused. That is why I use them in my 4x12 (in series/parallel). I find series/parallel 4x12's slightly warmer and quieter......which allows me to push the power section a bit more.

However, the "EVH 50 at 8ohm" seems to go beyond those fundamental differences.........at least based on comments around the web. I'm not too concerned about it because I think it sounds fine. But every time I see those comments, it makes me wonder what I'm missing.

 

[Aidanspaghetti]

Hope im not de-railing but i've often wondered - what happens if you've a head and a 4x12 at 16 ohms and a 2x12 @ 8 ohms?
What speaker jacks do/can you use?

 

[EyesOfTheSouth]

Hope im not de-railing but i've often wondered - what happens if you've a head and a 4x12 at 16 ohms and a 2x12 @ 8 ohms?
What speaker jacks do/can you use?

Those cabs would equal 6 ohms if run in parallel. You should be able to run those safely on the 4 ohm setting.

 

[Stramm8]

There was a comment made by Howard Kaplan from Fender on the big TGP thread about the amp. He said something about the amp utilizing all of the winding in the transformer that made it sound different and was what EVH preferred which is why all the EVH cabs are 16ohms. I thought it was bullshit until I picked up a 16ohm cab and now I'm a believer. I compared it to my 8ohm mesa 2x12 and the difference was enough for me to sell that cab. Try a 16ohm cab for grins...

 

[nevusofota]

There was a comment made by Howard Kaplan from Fender on the big TGP thread about the amp. He said something about the amp utilizing all of the winding in the transformer that made it sound different and was what EVH preferred which is why all the EVH cabs are 16ohms. I thought it was bullshit until I picked up a 16ohm cab and now I'm a believer. I compared it to my 8ohm mesa 2x12 and the difference was enough for me to sell that cab. Try a 16ohm cab for grins...

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