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Post subject: Mismatching Impedance
Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 12:17 pm
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Hi,

I just bought an Orange Micro Terror to go with my EVH (Fender ) 5150 2x12 cab. I know this sort of question has been asked a thousand times, but nobody seems to really know the answer... Am I able to use the Orange (Min 4 Ohms) and the EVH (16 Ohms) together?

Thanks in advance!

P.S - I assume I am able to post this on this forum due to the EVH being made by Fender?


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Post subject: Re: Mismatching Impedance
Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 12:41 pm
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It's too big of a mismatch to be safe, I would rewire the cab.


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Post subject: Re: Mismatching Impedance
Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 12:48 pm
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atolleter wrote:
It's too big of a mismatch to be safe, I would rewire the cab.


I was told that due to the Micro Terror having a solid state power section that it would be fine?


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Post subject: Re: Mismatching Impedance
Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 12:59 pm
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Hmm, I always thought the old Fender trannies and tubes could handle some fluctuations but the solid state chips could not. Let's wait until amp gurus chime.


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Post subject: Re: Mismatching Impedance
Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 4:40 pm
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With tube amps, impedance mismatches (higher or lower) reduce power output and increase stress on components.

Solid state is different. Power output and component stress go up as the impedance goes down. If you plug a solid state amp into a dead short (0 ohms), the amp will try to put out infinite watts and instantly fry(although many ss amps have protection circuits built in to shut them off before damage occurs). Plugging a ss amp into a higher impedance simple reduces power, lowers the amount of heat produced, and actually lowers stress. So never plug a ss amp into a speaker load that's lower than the amp's minimum rating, but higher is fine.

The Micro Terror puts out 20 watts into a 4 ohm load, but will only pump about 5 watts into a 16 ohm load. That will still be pretty loud, but don't worry that it's not as loud as it is when driving a 4 ohm load - it's behaving the way it should and the amp is actually under much less stress than when driving a 4 ohm load.

The one exception is Class D solid state amps (like the Orange Terror Bass amp). Some of those require close impedance matching. But the Micro Terror is fine with 4, 8, or 16 ohms.


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Post subject: Re: Mismatching Impedance
Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 4:46 pm
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strayedstrater wrote:
With tube amps, impedance mismatches (higher or lower) reduce power output and increase stress on components.

Solid state is different. Power output and component stress go up as the impedance goes down. If you plug a solid state amp into a dead short (0 ohms), the amp will try to put out infinite watts and instantly fry(although many ss amps have protection circuits built in to shut them off before damage occurs). Plugging a ss amp into a higher impedance simple reduces power, lowers the amount of heat produced, and actually lowers stress. So never plug a ss amp into a speaker load that's lower than the amp's minimum rating, but higher is fine.

The Micro Terror puts out 20 watts into a 4 ohm load, but will only pump about 5 watts into a 16 ohm load. That will still be pretty loud, but don't worry that it's not as loud as it is when driving a 4 ohm load - it's behaving the way it should and the amp is actually under much less stress than when driving a 4 ohm load.

The one exception is Class D solid state amps (like the Orange Terror Bass amp). Some of those require close impedance matching. But the Micro Terror is fine with 4, 8, or 16 ohms.


I see. Glad I will actually be able to use it! When I bought it I didn't even think to check the impedance for some reason. I actually bought it to use temporarily while I wait for a specific store to get stock of the 5150 50 watt head.

I'm somewhat glad that it won't be able to run at it's full power since I have heard that it is pretty loud despite it's size. I assume running it at full volume shouldn't cause any harm to the amp?

Anyway, thanks for clearing that up!


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Post subject: Re: Mismatching Impedance
Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 5:11 pm
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The external power supply that comes with the Micro is a little undersized. Some people have reported that when running at full volume into a 4 ohm load (20 watts) the Micro's sometimes cut out or crackle. No damage is done, it just doesn't sound good. Orange sells an optional (overpriced) upgraded power supply, but most people who run into the problem just buy a computer power supply (you'd need one that has the same voltage but a higher amperage rating).

But running into a 16 ohm cab the stock power supply will have plenty of reserve and you can crank the Micro all the way up all day long if you want.

(Keep in mind that the Micro has a tube preamp and a solid state output -- the good distortion comes from the tube preamp. All-tube amps tend to sound better when run hard enough to push the tube output section, but the Micro might get harsh if you have to crank it all the way up.)


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Post subject: Re: Mismatching Impedance
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 3:35 pm
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+1 for everything strayedstrater said. Match your tube amp's speaker load as close as you can but don't worry about transistor output stages because they'll handle pretty much anything that isn't a short circuit.

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