The PowerStage 170 is 170 watts mono into a 4 ohm load.
The PowerStage 200 is 200 watts mono into a 4 ohm load.
The PowerStage 100s is stereo 100 watts per side into a 4 ohm load per side.
The PowerStage 700 is stereo 700 watts per side into a 4 ohm load per side.
Can I run my 8 ohm speaker or my 16 ohm speaker with the PowerStage amps?
Yes, but the power output changes as the speaker load changes.
PowerStage 170: 85 watts at 8 ohms, 43 watts at 16 ohms
PowerStage 200: 100 watts at 8 ohms, 50 watts at 16 ohms
Note: PowerStage 200 has two speaker jacks wired in parallel. The total ohm load should not be less than 4 ohms. You can use two 8 ohm speakers cabs, which will be a 4 ohm load, or two 16 ohm cabs, which will be an 8 ohm load. Two 4 ohm cabs will result in a 2 ohm load, which can potentially damage the PowerStage 200 or speakers.
PowerStage 100s (per side): 50 watts at 8 ohms, 25 watts at 16 ohms
Note: PowerStage 100s has a Left Speaker out and a Right Speaker out. The total ohm load per speaker out should not be less than 4 ohms. You can chain two 8 ohm speakers cabs in parallel per output, which will be a 4 ohm load, or two 16 ohm cabs, which will be an 8 ohm load.
PowerStage 700 (per side): 350 watts at 8 ohms, 175 watts at 16 ohms
Note: PowerStage 700 has a Left Speaker out and a Right Speaker out. The total ohm load per speaker out should not be less than 4 ohms. You can chain two 8 ohm speakers cabs in parallel per output, which will be a 4 ohm load, or two 16 ohm cabs, which will be an 8 ohm load.
Can I run my PowerStage 700, 200 or 100s using direct outputs without a speaker load?
Yes, Power stage amps can be run without a speaker load (despite it saying in the manual and the bottom of the amp to have a speaker load). If you run without a speaker load, we recommend that the volume control be set to minimum to avoid overheating the amp.
Can I combine cabinets with different speaker configurations and different Ohm ratings?
Yes, as long as you don’t go below the recommended ohm load per speaker output for the PowerStage model that you have. For instance, connecting the one 8 ohm cabinet to one output, you could connect an 8 ohm load for the 4 ohm minimum. If you connect the 2nd cabinet at 16 ohms, the total load would be about 5.3 ohms, which is above the 4 ohm minimum. Here is a handy online calculator for figuring out the Parallel loads.
Why is the POWER AMP CLIP / OVER-CURRENT / OVER-TEMPERATURE INDICATOR coming on?
This LED serves multiple purposes, indicating the following:
Power Amp voltage clipping
Power Amp current limiting
Power Amp over-temperature warning
LIGHTING OF THIS INDICATOR CAN BE CAUSED BY THE FOLLOWING:
Shorted speaker cable
Speaker voice coil shorted to speaker pole piece or frame.
Either + or – output signal connected to Ground.
Total speaker impedance (parallel combination of speakers/cabinets) in excess of maximum rating.
Level control set too high on PowerStage.
Level control set too high from input source.
Internal fault. Contact support@seymourduncan.com for further instrucitons.
OVER TEMPERATURE PROTECTION: The over-temperature circuit monitors
the temperature in the output stage and power supply. As the temperature in either approaches 125° C (257° F), the Pwr Amp Clip/O.C. indicator will light continuously.
When the temperature reaches 150° C (302° F), the amplifier will shut down until the
temperature drops below 120°C (248° F), at which point it will reset.
Lighting of the “Temp” indicator can be caused by the following:
Lack of air circulation around amplifier.
Blocked vents.
Blocked or stopped cooling fan.
Excessively high ambient temperatures.
Heavy loading of output (low impedance loads) coupled with high power demand.
Combinations of any or all the above.
Why is my PREAMP CLIP / STATUS INDICATOR coming on?
This LED also serves multiple purposes, indicating the following.
Preamp voltage clip warning – the LED will begin to light when the input signal is 6dB below the level of clipping. You should adjust the output level of the audio device directly feeding the PowerStage input so that this LED flashes on signal peaks.
Protect Status of the power supply/power amp module – when lit continuously, the amplifier has shut itself down and entered protect mode due to potentially destructive overload conditions. In these cases, the amplifier will typically resume operation after a short delay or after the overload condition has been eliminated.
Some causes are:
Severe overcurrent conditions and/or a short circuit on the speaker output.
Over-temperature conditions due to heavy loading at high output levels.
Over-temperature conditions due to inadequate air flow or excessively high ambient temperatures.
Internal fault. Contact support@seymourduncan.com for more information.
Can I use my PowerStage amp outside the United States, or can I use a PowerStage bought outside the United States within the United States?
Powerstage 170 is the only unit that is designed to only work within regional voltages. If you have a PS170 purchased in the US, it will only work in the US. If you live outside the United States, you must get the appropriate PowerStage for your country’s voltage. Using the US Voltage PowerStage 170 outside the US will most likely damage the power section of the amplifier beyond repair.
The PowerStage 200, PowerStage 100s and PowerStage 700 amps are able to handle voltages from 120v to 240v without issue.
Can I use my PowerStage 100s or PowerStage 700 in dual mono?
Yes, but it is different for each of these models
PowerStage 100s: Plug your mono signal to input 1. This signal will appear in Speaker Out 1 as well as Speaker Out 2. If you are using only 1 cabinet, use Speaker Out 1.
PowerStage 700: In the PowerStage 700, the signal coming in to the Left and Right Inputs come out of their respective outputs.
For dual-mono operation, a Y-cable must be used to connect both inputs to a mono effects box/pedal board.
For straight mono operation, either left or right channel can be used. The unused channel can always act as a back-up. If you have connected the left channel speaker out, be sure to use the left input channel, and vice-versa.
Can I plug a different instrument into each of the inputs of my PowerStage 100s or PowerStage 700?
Yes, the instrument that you plug into the Left input will be heard in the left speaker out or direct out and the instrument plugged into the right input will be heard in the right speaker out or right direct out. There is no "pan" control in the PowerStage 100s or PowerStage 700 to sweep a signal from left speaker to right speaker.