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True to the Music
Radial Engineering Headbone Owner’s Manual
ance. You must manage the speaker connections for the best impedance
match. It is important to note that most amplifiers are designed to work
best at their rated impedance. If your amp features selectable impedance
loads, use the one that matches your speaker cabinet. Always consult the
amplifier’s specifications to ensure the speaker connections are within
the amplifier’s accepted working range.
While matched loads between the amplifier and speaker are the ideal,
unmatched loads can be used. The guidelines below will explain the
ramifications of using unmatched loads.
Using Unmatched Speaker Loads With Tube Amps
Driving a speaker load that is lower than the amps output impedance
(8-Ohm amp with 4-Ohm speaker) tends to drive the tubes harder, which
means they will not last as long. On the other hand, a higher speaker
impedance load (4-Ohm amp with 8-Ohm speaker) will generally sound
less full and less punchy, but tube life is extended.
Using Unmatched Speaker Loads With Solid State Amps
Transistor or solid-state amps work differently than tube amplifiers. With
solid-state amps, lowering the speaker impedance load generally makes
the amp sound louder with little change in tone. Most solid-state amps are
designed to see an 8-Ohm or 4-Ohm load. Never go below the rated
minimum impedance for transistor amplifiers.
Grounding for Safety!
The Headbone is powered by an external power supply with a floating
9
Amp type
Tube amp
Solid-state
amp
Lower speaker impedance
Connecting a 4-Ohm cabinet
will make amps sound more
punchy and warm. You get
shorter tube life.
Connecting a 4-Ohm cabinet
will increase the volume.
Check amp specification for
minimum load.
Higher speaker impedance
Connecting a 16-Ohm cabi-
net will make amps sound
less punchy & warm. You get
longer tube life.
Connecting a 16-Ohm
cabinet will reduce the power
and lower the volume.
Rated impedance
8-Ohm
8-Ohm
ground. This means that the guitar derives it’s ground thru the amplifier
connected to the Headbone’s To Amp-1 Input jack.
The To Amp-2 Input jack is transformer-isolated from ground to eliminate
hum or buzz caused by so-called ground loops passing between amp-1
and amp-2. A recessed ground-lift switch is provided to bypass the trans-
former and reconnect the ground through amp-2. The switch is factory
set in the lifted position Should the amplifier connected to the To Amp-1
Input jack not be properly grounded, this switch may be depressed to
connect the ground path through amp-2.
For safety, always use properly grounded guitar amps with 3-prong electri-
cal AC plugs. The third prong is a safety ground that is there to protect you