I have a Prolight (Warrior) KT-600 amp. In the spec it tells me that at 4ohms its 300rms per channel and at 8ohms its 180rms per channel.
This just goes over my head as i am not that technically minded.
Is there an easy to understand explaination to this, so i can learn to understand my equipment more.
Any help would be gratefully received.

Basically most disco speakers are 8 Ohms impedence, this is the Load that they present to the amplifier.

Connecting one 8 Ohm speaker to one amplifier channel will produce 180 Watts RMS per channel.

If you add another 8 Ohm speaker to the same channel then the combined load:- 8 Ohms + 8 Ohms will total a 4 Ohm load to the amplifier. Since the load has increased, the amplifier will produce more power and in this case produce 300 Watts RMS.

So if you would like to get the full 300 Watts per channel output, then you need to connect 2 speakers to each channel. If you are only using one speaker per channel, then you are only getting 2x 180 Watts Rms output.

Hope this helps.

[QUOTE]So if you would like to get the full 300 Watts per channel output, then you need to connect 2 speakers to each channel. If you are only using one speaker per channel, then you are only getting 2x 180 Watts Rms output.

So does this mean that if I only use one speaker per channel I can turn the Amp up more??

No the speakers will distort and eventually fry. If you want a louder response then connecting a pair of speakers to each side will get you 300w.

Er No!. Even at maximum power the Amp will still only deliver the 180 Watts into one pair of speakers. You will find that you will need to "Push" the Amp harder to achieve the same level as you would with two speakers connected.

Either way you should never run your amplifier into the "Red", i.e clipping the output so that the "clip" or "Peak" leds light on a regular basis. If you do, then it is time for another pair of speakers. If you are already running four speakers (2 per channel) and its still clipping, then your system is not powerful enough for the venues you are doing.

Ideally a well balanced Sound system should be providing enough power for your gigs at around 50 - 75% of its rated output, this allows plenty of headroom, and means that you are getting low distorton levels - i.e good quality sound. When you start clipping the Amplifier, you are risking damage to the speakers and overheating the amp, not to mention increasing the distortion levels.

A good comparison that I've used several times before on here is as follows.

A sound system is like a car. Imagaine a Fiesta and a Porsche travelling down the motorway. Both cars will do 70mph, but the Porsche will achieve it easier, with more power headroom in reserve

Maybe chris you could sort me out!!(confused)

I have 4x350 (max power) speakers, all running off of a 700W amp (RMS)

With all speakers connected (Amp on full) it has a louder richer sound, for smaller venues I use 2 speakers with the same amp, but I dont turn it up so much (about3/4 of the up).

Will my speakers fry, because I've had not problems with them since I bought them!!(Touch wood)

No, I don't see any problems with that combination. I assume by 700W Amp you mean a 2x 350W stereo amp producing 350 Watts per channel?.

You should still avoid running the Amp into clipping, but this applies to ANY amp and not just yours!. Is it a Studiomaster D700 or the new soundlab version of it by any chance?.

[QUOTE] I assume by 700W Amp you mean a 2x 350W stereo amp producing 350 Watts per channel?.

Yes its a 2x350W, but JB systems-AX700 (If that helps),

PS Ive found a way round the problem of clipping. On the mixer I set all the eqs to 12 0'clock so nothings added or taken away, then to make the sound better I take away the mid this sounds good and keeps the sound level up-Clever (But I bet most of u knew that already!!)

QUOTE

PS Ive found a way round the problem of clipping. On the mixer I set all the eqs to 12 0'clock so nothings added or taken away, then to make the sound better I take away the mid this sounds good and keeps the sound level up-Clever (But I bet most of u knew that already!!)

Hmm thats basically running everything "Flat", if you attend every venue and flat EQ settings are acceptable then you are very lucky. I must admit, that I take great care at adjusting my EQ controls at various points during the gig (And going out to the dancefloor, back of the room etc to double check and making adjustments etc).

Yes adjusting the bass burns up Amp headroom due to the power required, but I wouldn't keep it at flat levels just because it clips my amp . If it sounds okay fine, but if you are keeping it at "0" solely because it clips your amp then that is for the wrong reasons.

Just my opinon!.

I don't always run it flat because things do need to be teaked to obtain a good sound, I just finished like that because I couldn't be bothered to carry on typing (this is hurting my wrists!! )

Sorry I keep posting but I'm bored and addicted to this site (after being dragged around a large office superstore looking for a uv pen and then finding out they dont have them I'm not in the fittest state of health!! still I get to sit here all day waiting for my next exam-umm the delights of study leave yet im still learning!!)

Any one know were I can get a uv pen from?

I also want to make a sign to go in front of my stand, and paint it in uv paint (white) then put a lamp in front of it so it glows blue-Anyone got any advice

Ps Chris did you receive the new pics of my setup, if so can you publish them (or one to replace the old) I did wait an hour for them to send!!

I don`t think Chris sells this so........
You can buy UV-active paint from various disco suppliers but, why not go to Tesco and buy some UV-Actvie Brylcreem?? Works a treat for writing signs, and for "hidden" messages at kids` parties.
Oh yes - it`s cool on yer hair as well