Acceptable sensitivity difference when coupling two different speakers?

Emopunk

New member
Good day to all of you.

I upgraded the speaker in my combo with a G12M-65 and I love every bit of it. Before the upgrade, I thought my fuzz pedal was worthless and now it rocks like a bastard..
I want to add a 1x12 cabinet when I gig in places, and I would like to mix a different speaker with the one I have. At the moment, I am considering the Classic Lead 80 and the G12H-75. Do you find it a good plan?
And expecially, I hear that different speakers should be within a certain range concerning sensitivity, in order to not play at wildly different volumes. What is this range? Within 3db?

Thanks to all of you willing to help.
 
Re: Acceptable sensitivity difference when coupling two different speakers?

Any amount of match or mismatch might very well work to provide a good tone. But if you want to keep things pretty even I'd say within 3dB maybe 4. How much energy is in the 1-2 khz range of a particular speaker needs to be considered as well as that range is where our ears are most sensitive. So if a speaker is down a few dB overall but has a good spike in the 1-2khz range it might hang pretty well with a more sensitive unit that is a bit deficient in the same range.
 
Re: Acceptable sensitivity difference when coupling two different speakers?

Any amount of match or mismatch might very well work to provide a good tone. But if you want to keep things pretty even I'd say within 3dB maybe 4. How much energy is in the 1-2 khz range of a particular speaker needs to be considered as well as that range is where our ears are most sensitive. So if a speaker is down a few dB overall but has a good spike in the 1-2khz range it might hang pretty well with a more sensitive unit that is a bit deficient in the same range.

Hi SlyFoxx and thanks for replying. Which speaker would match nicely with my G12M-65? I even have the Seventy 80 I uninstalled from the combo, if that could turn out to compliment good. Otherwise, after some research i ended up on the Classic Lead 80 and the G12H-75 (which is the one suggested by Celestion themselves to couple with the G12M-65). I mainly play classic rock, hard rock, alternative. Thanks.
 
Re: Acceptable sensitivity difference when coupling two different speakers?

I agree no more than 3db.

If you have a 4x12 with G12T75s side by side with a 4x12 with Vintage 30s, the V30 cab will bury the t75 cab. However mixing 100 db speakers with 97dbs speakers in a 4x12 seems to work if the lower sensitivity speakers are on top and the louder ones on bottom. Also open backed cabs are a bit louder than closed back cabs given the same speaker. By stacking the combo on top of the extension cab it may work.
 
Re: Acceptable sensitivity difference when coupling two different speakers?

I agree no more than 3db.

If you have a 4x12 with G12T75s side by side with a 4x12 with Vintage 30s, the V30 cab will bury the t75 cab. However mixing 100 db speakers with 97dbs speakers in a 4x12 seems to work if the lower sensitivity speakers are on top and the louder ones on bottom. Also open backed cabs are a bit louder than closed back cabs given the same speaker. By stacking the combo on top of the extension cab it may work.

Do you mean that if I had the combo with G12M and the extension cab with G12H both on the floor, they wouldn't blend nicely?
 
Re: Acceptable sensitivity difference when coupling two different speakers?

I have EVH siggies (96dB) mixed with V30's (100dB) in my Marshall cab, and I think they sound fine. Yes, the V30's dominate, but the EVH's still add their flavor to the sound.
 
Re: Acceptable sensitivity difference when coupling two different speakers?

I have EVH siggies (96dB) mixed with V30's (100dB) in my Marshall cab, and I think they sound fine. Yes, the V30's dominate, but the EVH's still add their flavor to the sound.

Yeah.. That is exactly my concern.. How much difference would both in one cab vs 2 1x12 cabs (one being the combo) make..?
 
Re: Acceptable sensitivity difference when coupling two different speakers?

Perhaps you might consider mixing speaker magnet types like one Ceramic and one Alnico........best of both worlds.
 
Re: Acceptable sensitivity difference when coupling two different speakers?

Perhaps you might consider mixing speaker magnet types like one Ceramic and one Alnico........best of both worlds.

Yeah, that was an option on my mind too.. Perhaps something like this would be a good match?
 
Re: Acceptable sensitivity difference when coupling two different speakers?

Do you mean that if I had the combo with G12M and the extension cab with G12H both on the floor, they wouldn't blend nicely?

I think they might blend nicely, but the G12H will be louder than the G12M. Is the extension cab closed back? If the G12M is open back and the G12H is closed back they difference in volume would not be much.

Another combination to consider is putting a G12T75 in the extension cab. The extra bass of the G12T75 would probably be welcome in the blend, with the mids covered by the 65. Both are 97db.
 
Re: Acceptable sensitivity difference when coupling two different speakers?

Yeah I agree with above, definitely no more than 3. 75's are only 3 less and V30s and the V30's will dominate. Also has to do with their voicing as well, as the 75's are a bit scooped.
 
Re: Acceptable sensitivity difference when coupling two different speakers?

I think they might blend nicely, but the G12H will be louder than the G12M. Is the extension cab closed back? If the G12M is open back and the G12H is closed back they difference in volume would not be much.

Another combination to consider is putting a G12T75 in the extension cab. The extra bass of the G12T75 would probably be welcome in the blend, with the mids covered by the 65. Both are 97db.
Yes, the G12T75 would be a good option too. Moreover I really liked it in my old JCM900, years ago. BTW the extension can is open back, the combo is closed back; if that might be of help.

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Re: Acceptable sensitivity difference when coupling two different speakers?

A Celestion Creamback is something I'd be interested in. I would also consider a Celestion Gold.
Jeff maybe you missed the post, but I already have G12M-65 installed in my combo. My doubt is what to couple it with in an extension cab.

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Re: Acceptable sensitivity difference when coupling two different speakers?

Jeff maybe you missed the post, but I already have G12M-65 installed in my combo. My doubt is what to couple it with in an extension cab.

Yep, I got that. Extension cab with either a Celestion Creamback OR a Celestion Gold. so you will mix your amp tone with an Alnico and a Ceramic speaker.
 
Re: Acceptable sensitivity difference when coupling two different speakers?

Jeff maybe you missed the post, but I already have G12M-65 installed in my combo. My doubt is what to couple it with in an extension cab.

Yep, I got that. Extension cab with either a Celestion Creamback OR a Celestion Gold. so you will mix your amp tone with an Alnico and a Ceramic speaker.

That would be really nice to try.. But I see Alnico speakers are 3 times the price of the other ones :bigeyes:
Are they really that better to justify such a price increase?
 
Re: Acceptable sensitivity difference when coupling two different speakers?

May I ask you why you'd choose it over a Classic Lead 80? Is it just because of the sensitivity?

IMO it's a better match in tone, breakup, and db,,,,,,and also a better fit for a 112-closed.

You might want to get wild and consider a 212 to go with the combo.
Better tone (IMO) and a better base to sit the combo on top of.
Not a big price difference vs a 112,,,,,,,,,,unless you just already have the 112 and are just buying a speaker.(t75 much cheaper)

212 closed-back and 112 open-back combo is a match made in hell!
 
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Re: Acceptable sensitivity difference when coupling two different speakers?

IMO it's a better match in tone, breakup, and db,,,,,,and also a better fit for a 112-closed.

You might want to get wild and consider a 212 to go with the combo.
Better tone (IMO) and a better base to sit the combo on top of.
Not a big price difference vs a 112,,,,,,,,,,unless you just already have the 112 and are just buying a speaker.(t75 much cheaper)

This is the extension cabinet I'd put it in, it's actually an open back. Does it make some difference?
I didn't consider the 212 because I am afraid it would turn overkill to bring it arount to gigs together with the combo. Lot of work and weight to carry.
 
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