closed back v. open back

hellatone

New member
what's the difference in sound? also, i;ve heard that alnicos are better for closed than ceramics, or maybe the other way around -- is there anything to this?
 
Re: closed back v. open back

what's the difference in sound? also, i;ve heard that alnicos are better for closed than ceramics, or maybe the other way around -- is there anything to this?

Closed back gives you overall more frontal projection and tighter lows...

Open back gives you more sense of sound all around since the sound comes out both front and back...You lose lows....

I Love an open back for clean tones and closed for overdriven/distortion...You don't get the dimension of sound as well playing clean through the closed back cab...

I Like Ceramics and I'm not sure on the cab with ceramic vs alnico?
 
Re: closed back v. open back

Probably you heard that ceramics are "better" for closed backs because that's the way they were: ie in closed back marshall cabs from the 60s...

The same goes for the alnico speakers but for fender open back combos in 50s and 60s...

They sound "better" because we are used to them through the music we listen to!
 
Re: closed back v. open back

Ceramics are punchier and don't breakup as soon, which compliment the closed back design - which is very direct like STRATDELUXER97 mentioned. Alnico speakers are usually warmer with more compression/creamier which compliments the more open dispersion of sound of the open back design.

As a disclaimer, I'm stating this as a "general" assessment. There are higher power handling alnico speakers as well as lower power handling speakers that are ceramic, it's all a matter of specifications from the manufacturer.
 
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