head for an epiphani

[blakemaclean]

i'm strongy considering getting an epiphani 4x10, but i have no clue what kind head to get. Any suggestions as to something powerful(1000watts and up) and versatile in tone?

[Travis Harms]

I don't think 1000 watts is really necessary for one 4x10, unless they are really inefficient like Acme cabs. If you really require massive volume, get 2 cabs. The only heads I can think of in that power range would be the high end models from Ampeg and Gallien-Krueger. Don't dismiss the possibility of a power amp with a separate pre amp. Some suggestions for power amps would be Mackie, Crown, and QSC. For a pre amp you could check out Demeter, Kern, or Aguilar. Going the with the separate pre and power amp might be more expensive, but then again if are going with an Epiphani that might not be a problem.

[...]

You may want to check out a separate preamp/amp combo to plug into the cab if you're looking for insane amounts of power. I use an Ashdown RPM-1 pre with a Mackie 1400i power amp and it just kills. The Demeter preamps are also extremely tasty. BenLoy loves his Demeter and I know LizzyD loves hers as well (hell, I love it too, as I get to use it during rehearsals every week. ) The versatility of separate preamp/amp combos is just great. Mine cost somewhere around $1300 for the two pieces. That's less than the street price of a brand new SWR SM900, SWR Mo' Bass, or SVT IV; which are all in the same power range that you are asking about. My $.02 worth.

[_Sweet Willie_]

Even though the Epi 4x10 is rated for 1000W RMS, you really might not need 1000W. What kind of playing situation are you in? 500W and that cab will give you much large sound -- enough for most clubs. If you play lots of outdoor gigs or really large venues, you might want to have more speakers (as suggested above) -- but, probably should be running a chunk o' bass thru a powerful PA.

 

If you need the power of 1000W or more, separates is probably the way to go. If you don't, you could choose from a range of tasty heads with less power -- Ashdown ABM500 (575W into 4 ohms), Eden WT-550 (550W into 4 ohms), Mesa M-Pulse 600 (600W into 4 ohms, but about $1300 -- so you could buy separates for that!), and more.

 

Peace.

[blakemaclean]

I think i like the idea of seperates, in seems to be cheaper for the same price. For the power amps though, do you run them bridged or one side?

[_Sweet Willie_]

Depends somewhat on how powerful the power amp is. However, if I'm running into a single cab, I'd probably run bridged.

 

For example, if I had the 4-ohm version of the Epi 4x10 cab, I might use a Stewart World 1.2 (1200W RMS bridged into 4 ohms) or a QSC PLX-1602 (1600W RMS bridged into 4 ohms) or one on many other power amp choices.

 

Peace.

[orphan wells]

if your going to run bridged you should get two 8 ohm cabs and run amp to cab one and cab one to cab two. this will give you a 4 ohm load and a truly massive sound. be sure not to use an 8 ohm and a 4 ohm or 2 4 ohm. the 2.6 ohm and 2 ohm load doesn't sound as tight or responsive. with the 2 epifani 4x10 cabs at 1000 watts apice you would only need 1500 watts bridged at 4 ohms to blow the doors off anything. i run one of their 2x12 cabs, which is rated at 800 watts, with 1000 watt amp and that thing sounds huge. i love the sound of their stuff.