16 ohm speaker in a 4x12 with 3 other 8 ohm speakers?

[Will462]

Hi, I'm new here and have a question for ya. I just got a mg412 ( please spare me any scoldings, I know it's crap, but it was free). Anyways, I got a 16ohm WGS Retro 30 that I'd like to throw in there to replace 1 of the crappy speakers in the cab. But the WGS is 16 ohm and the others are 8 ohm. Can I do this without frying my output trans? Amp is a Jet City 20. (Tube). Thanks for any advice and glad to be here. Seems like a good forum.

 

[RealtyViking]

Re: 16 ohm speaker in a 4x12 with 3 other 8 ohm speakers?

Go for it. The addition will bump up your total resistance from 8 to about 10 ohms. That is insignificant. Now if that cab has a stereo option it may get more complicated, but would still be relatively insignificant.

 

[Will462]

Re: 16 ohm speaker in a 4x12 with 3 other 8 ohm speakers?

Ok, thanks. Glad to hear it. I'll give it a shot!

 

[IM4Tone]

Re: 16 ohm speaker in a 4x12 with 3 other 8 ohm speakers?

I wouldn't expect good results. The power distribution (wattage) to each speaker from the amp is inversely proportional to the impedance. So, the 16 ohm speaker will get 1/2 the power that the 8 ohm speakers see. The volume will probably be enough lower that you won't hear the WGS as the others overpower it. Other factors do enter in, such as sensitivity, but don't expect good results.

 

[Securb]

Re: 16 ohm speaker in a 4x12 with 3 other 8 ohm speakers?

It wont hurt anything go for it and have fun.

 

[trevorus]

Re: 16 ohm speaker in a 4x12 with 3 other 8 ohm speakers?

May sound a tiny bit off if you're really paying attention, but on an 8 ohm tap, you should be fine. Remember, ohm ratings are nominal, and change with frequency in the real world.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: 16 ohm speaker in a 4x12 with 3 other 8 ohm speakers?

Another thing you might consider...

Take out 2 of the stock spkrs and replace them with the one 16 ohm Retro. The two existing 8 ohms in series, and those in parallel with the one 16 ohm will give you a total impedance of 8 ohms. Plus this will give the Retro an equal share of the total power making its tone a more important part of the whole.

 

[Will462]

Re: 16 ohm speaker in a 4x12 with 3 other 8 ohm speakers?

Good info. Thanks to all you guys for your help.

 

[trevorus]

Re: 16 ohm speaker in a 4x12 with 3 other 8 ohm speakers?

Another thing you might consider...

Take out 2 of the stock spkrs and replace them with the one 16 ohm Retro. The two existing 8 ohms in series, and those in parallel with the one 16 ohm will give you a total impedance of 8 ohms. Plus this will give the Retro an equal share of the total power making its tone a more important part of the whole.

This will result in a detuned cab (if I am assuming correctly that one spot will be open), which can be cool. Some people do that purposely.

 

[IM4Tone]

Re: 16 ohm speaker in a 4x12 with 3 other 8 ohm speakers?

Another thing you might consider...

Take out 2 of the stock spkrs and replace them with the one 16 ohm Retro. The two existing 8 ohms in series, and those in parallel with the one 16 ohm will give you a total impedance of 8 ohms. Plus this will give the Retro an equal share of the total power making its tone a more important part of the whole.

Good idea as far as getting a cab with a total impedance of 8 ohms. However, All three speakers will not get the same share of the power. Half the power will go to each of the parallel legs of the circuit and the two existing 8 ohm speakers (representing one of the legs) will share that half (i.e. 1/4 each). Don't know how that might sound volume-wise, but it'd be interesting to find out.