1x10 or 2x12 for a low watt tube amp

[these_go211]

i'm thinking about getting the zvex 1/2 watt tube amp:
http://zvexamps.com/amp_view.html

and to go with it i'll likely be buying either an orange 1x10 speaker or the 2x12 cabinet. which do you think would go better with a 1/2 watt amp? i realize better may be subjective but i'm thinking since the amp is only 1/2 watt maybe the 1x10 would deliver the sound in a more focused manner. but would the 2x12 make it seem louder somehow? i'm curious as to what characteristics each of these speaker choices would affect in conjunction with this small amp. thanks!

 

[these_go211]

Re: 1x10 or 2x12 for a low watt tube amp

i did some more poking around and think i found the answer to this question. yes, using 2x12 instead of a 1x12 (i was wrong when i originally wrote 1x10) will make it sound louder, and with more bass response. but if any of you has more words of wisdom about this please feel free to chime in.

 

[Kane17]

Re: 1x10 or 2x12 for a low watt tube amp

Personnally I'd go with the 1x12 but it is hard to say.

If you want to mic it on a stage, the 1x12 may be better since you will get more focus on the actual sound and less pointless stage noise,

on the other hand 2x12 (I think)will probably be louder and have more bass response since you will be moving more air.

 

[these_go211]

Re: 1x10 or 2x12 for a low watt tube amp

this setup would stricltly be for home use, practicing and recording. thanks for the input!

 

[Slider]

Re: 1x10 or 2x12 for a low watt tube amp

I'd go with a 1x12", but use a cabinet that is designed for a 15"

 

[baritone]

Re: 1x10 or 2x12 for a low watt tube amp

Technically, you can run it into a full stack if you wanted to. I have the Epiphone Valve Jr., which is only 5 watts. I run it into a 2x12 and a 4x10 at different times for different sounds. The 2x12 is more reasonable, since it gets really loud with the 4x10.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: 1x10 or 2x12 for a low watt tube amp

it's completely up to you, I got to hear a Nano head through a 4x12 not too long ago and was blown away by it...great amp!

I guess if I were gonna get one I would get a 1x12 with a single G12H30...

 

[these_go211]

Re: 1x10 or 2x12 for a low watt tube amp

thanks for the input on this. seems like the consensus is to use 1 speaker with it for recording.

slider, interesting idea. i'll think about that.

baritone, yea, i know it can be run into a 4x12. the soundclips on the zvex website are done using that. but for one i don't have room for a 4x12, and secondly i want to tame the volume with this setup. a 4x12 is waaay too much for me right now.

 

[JfromHouston]

Re: 1x10 or 2x12 for a low watt tube amp

I use 2x12s on all my low wattage amps due to the lack of bottom end. My 1 watt Bumbox sounds wimpy through a 1x12 so I can only imagine what a 1/2 watt would sound like. Personally, I'd go for at least a 2x12 with the v30/h30 combo of speakers to help out even more with the bottom end.

IMO low wattage amps sound OK through a 1x12, great through a 2x12 and huge through a 4x12.

.02

 

[these_go211]

Re: 1x10 or 2x12 for a low watt tube amp

^ damn you continuing to make this harder for me!

 

[JfromHouston]

Re: 1x10 or 2x12 for a low watt tube amp

:laughing:

I guess the lack of bottom end is inherent of low wattage amps so you'll want to make up for this deficiency by helping out any way you can. Another 12 definitely helps.

It's kind of like short guys driving giant trucks :laugh2:

 

[these_go211]

Re: 1x10 or 2x12 for a low watt tube amp

i'm going to try a few of them out for sure. buying a 2x12 probably future proofs this setup pretty well too. like, if i get more room sometime in the future i'll be wishing i had bought a bigger speaker cab.

and yea, low wattage does indeed rock!