FAQ

What is the difference between a 4 ohm and 8 ohm cabinet?

Think of ohms as resistance to power. The more ohms, the more resistance there is to the power traveling from the amp to the speaker cabinet. If all else is equal, a 4 ohm cabinet will play louder than an 8 ohm model, since 4 ohms offers less resistance.

Each time you connect cabinets together, you decrease resistance: two 8-ohm cabs = 4 ohms, two 4-ohm cabs = 2 ohms. Always check your amplifier’s power rating — the maximum rating applies to the minimum ohm rating (e.g. 1000W @ 4 ohms may deliver only 500W through an 8-ohm cabinet).

How should I match my amp with my speaker cabinets?

For best performance, your amplifier power should be higher than your speaker cabinet’s rating. A 100W amp at full capacity strains, while a 500W or 1000W amp delivering 100W will sound smoother with cleaner tone and more headroom.

There are also sonic matching considerations — best explored by listening or consulting your dealer. You can also contact us for recommendations.

How should I set up my bass cabinet for optimum performance?

Place your cabinet squarely on the floor (all four corners touching). If the sound becomes boomy — especially on wooden floors — try raising or tilting it, or use an isolation riser to float the cab off the floor.

What type of cables should I use?

Use only a speaker cable between amp and cabinet — no lighter than 16 gauge (12 or 10 gauge is ideal). Keep it short. Never use an instrument cable for this connection.

For instrument cables, use high-quality shielded cables — also short — for connections like preamp to power amp, effects loop, or tuner out.

How can I best maintain my Epifani gear?

Use padded covers for speaker cabinets and flight cases for amplifiers. Do not leave amplifiers plugged in when not in use.

What is the difference between the series and parallel switch on the effects loop?

A series loop sends the full signal through the effect before entering the power amp — like a one-lane road. A parallel loop splits the signal into dry (direct) and wet (effect) paths, mixing them back together.

Series loops work best with high-quality processors that preserve tone; parallel loops are ideal for stomp boxes and vintage effects. Avoid parallel loops with effects that alter volume, such as tremolo or compression, to prevent phase issues.

Will 48V phantom power on a console damage my UL Series electronics?

No. UL Series electronics are designed to reject phantom power. On earlier units, use the ground lift to block the signal from entering the DI circuit.

Do you manufacture your own cabinets?

Yes. Epifani cabinets are conceived and designed by Nick Epifani, built to his specifications, assembled in Brooklyn, and tested by machine and bassist to meet our quality standards.

Can using a tube power amp damage Epifani drivers?

Tube amps have a lower damping factor, giving them less control over speaker movement. This can cause greater cone excursion and faster wear if pushed too hard. Within normal volume levels, they perform beautifully — many pros use our cabinets with tube amps for their tone.

Do you have a list of Epifani Authorized Dealers?

Yes — here is our current list of authorized Epifani dealers:

Does Epifani support music education or student programs?

Epifani proudly sponsors:

Frequently Asked Questions