So I have celestion g12l 35s currently and if I were to switch them out to some other speakers what would be the difference in volume? Also I dont know which speakers to go for for metal... I just want a low volume balanced speaker really, nothing special, whatever is cheap...
How much do speakers effect the overall volume?
- Thread starter Chazzy
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Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
Re: How much do speakers effect the overall volume?
Speakers are rated for efficiency in decibels, the more efficient the speaker, the louder it will be for any given wattage level. Less efficient speakers let you run your amp at a higher volume setting, which, if it's a tube amp, gets you into power tube breakup at a lower volume level.
Speakers are rated for efficiency in decibels, the more efficient the speaker, the louder it will be for any given wattage level. Less efficient speakers let you run your amp at a higher volume setting, which, if it's a tube amp, gets you into power tube breakup at a lower volume level.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: How much do speakers effect the overall volume?
The general rule of thumb is that for every 3dB of sensitivity you double your amp's effective wattage.
+1
The general rule of thumb is that for every 3dB of sensitivity you double your amp's effective wattage.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: How much do speakers effect the overall volume?
5dB, or about a 50% subjective difference between the two if the amp's volume were the same. The human ear perceives increases of 10dB SPL as a doubling in subjective volume.
5dB, or about a 50% subjective difference between the two if the amp's volume were the same. The human ear perceives increases of 10dB SPL as a doubling in subjective volume.
Re: How much do speakers effect the overall volume?
Although volume is important...you dont want to just focus on that. You might get some speaker that is loud as hell but might make your tone sound like you're playing though a Ibanez tone blaster...hence the name lol. I personally play a lot of heavy rock and wouldnt consider a speaker rated any higher than 50watts (for a 4X12 cab anyway). Eminence Red Coat speakers have a really nice balance of tone/clarity and volume. Vintage 30's are always nice but not really that loud. Eminence SLM speakers tend to be a good choice too. Also depends on your amplifier of course...
Although volume is important...you dont want to just focus on that. You might get some speaker that is loud as hell but might make your tone sound like you're playing though a Ibanez tone blaster...hence the name lol. I personally play a lot of heavy rock and wouldnt consider a speaker rated any higher than 50watts (for a 4X12 cab anyway). Eminence Red Coat speakers have a really nice balance of tone/clarity and volume. Vintage 30's are always nice but not really that loud. Eminence SLM speakers tend to be a good choice too. Also depends on your amplifier of course...
Re: How much do speakers effect the overall volume?
Yep. I have an open back 2X12 that, subjectively, seems much louder (I would be safe saying that I perceive it as almost twice as loud, depending on amp settings) as either of my closed back 4x12's with the same amp settings. One of the speakers in the 2X12 is an Alnico which is far "brighter" than any of the speakers in the 4X12's. Along with more treble in the response is certainly a bump in the upper mids, probably 3-4Khz range, right around where our ears are most sensitive. It also has a Celestion G12H which adds some balance. Both speakers sensitivity is rated pretty high, maybe around 100db. Probably 1 or 2db higher than those in the 4X12's. But doing that math, that wouldn't account for the difference (more cone area in the 4X12's). There may also be some room effects due to the open back and the cab not being too far from the wall. Cancellations that may be occurring due to the open back sure aint winning this one. I agree with uOPT, most of it is the frequency response of the speakers. That can be really big in our perception of loudness.
Yep. I have an open back 2X12 that, subjectively, seems much louder (I would be safe saying that I perceive it as almost twice as loud, depending on amp settings) as either of my closed back 4x12's with the same amp settings. One of the speakers in the 2X12 is an Alnico which is far "brighter" than any of the speakers in the 4X12's. Along with more treble in the response is certainly a bump in the upper mids, probably 3-4Khz range, right around where our ears are most sensitive. It also has a Celestion G12H which adds some balance. Both speakers sensitivity is rated pretty high, maybe around 100db. Probably 1 or 2db higher than those in the 4X12's. But doing that math, that wouldn't account for the difference (more cone area in the 4X12's). There may also be some room effects due to the open back and the cab not being too far from the wall. Cancellations that may be occurring due to the open back sure aint winning this one. I agree with uOPT, most of it is the frequency response of the speakers. That can be really big in our perception of loudness.
Johnny-DK
New member
Re: How much do speakers effect the overall volume?
Hard to get any 12" with a lower SPL that the G12L I think.
Don't know but I think metal players are looking for something tight, and that usually means larger magnets like the G12H or V30, and they sure will be louder.
A 10" speaker maybe - or closed cab for your G12L (if it isn't already). Closed cab makes the speaker more focused, but also dampens it to some degree depending on cabinet size.
Hard to get any 12" with a lower SPL that the G12L I think.
Don't know but I think metal players are looking for something tight, and that usually means larger magnets like the G12H or V30, and they sure will be louder.
A 10" speaker maybe - or closed cab for your G12L (if it isn't already). Closed cab makes the speaker more focused, but also dampens it to some degree depending on cabinet size.
Gone_Shootin
New member
Re: How much do speakers effect the overall volume?
Eminence Maverick or Reignmaker.
Eminence Maverick or Reignmaker.
Re: How much do speakers effect the overall volume?
It is not really a problem to be solved on paper...LOTS of variables.
5dB is something, but not huge. More importantly (as said already) will be the difference in amplitude of the frequency response of the different speakers.
I have mixed all kinds of different speakers, it has never been an issue of concern, until you start looking at specs.
good luck
Others have already said, but.......humans hear logarithmically, not linearly.
It is not really a problem to be solved on paper...LOTS of variables.
5dB is something, but not huge. More importantly (as said already) will be the difference in amplitude of the frequency response of the different speakers.
I have mixed all kinds of different speakers, it has never been an issue of concern, until you start looking at specs.
good luck
jackson111
New member
Re: How much do speakers effect the overall volume?
I just switched my speakers out for a pair of warehouse guitar speakers ET-65s and I like them a lot. they sound great clean and breakup nicely. they do good for rock and they sound good for metal if you have an amp that can do high gain as the speaker does seem to be smoother then the celestion 70eightys I replaced. if you want metal you may want to try the wgs veteran 30, retro 30 or hm75.
I just switched my speakers out for a pair of warehouse guitar speakers ET-65s and I like them a lot. they sound great clean and breakup nicely. they do good for rock and they sound good for metal if you have an amp that can do high gain as the speaker does seem to be smoother then the celestion 70eightys I replaced. if you want metal you may want to try the wgs veteran 30, retro 30 or hm75.
SirJackdeFuzz
New member
Re: How much do speakers effect the overall volume?
What do you not like about your current speaker(s) ?
If you want a low volume speaker, do NOT look at Emi drivers . . . most of them have HUGE efficiency ratings.
You can look in to the Jensen series and the Guitar Warehouse offerings.
http://www.jensentone.com/mod_series
https://wgs4.com/
What do you not like about your current speaker(s) ?
If you want a low volume speaker, do NOT look at Emi drivers . . . most of them have HUGE efficiency ratings.
You can look in to the Jensen series and the Guitar Warehouse offerings.
http://www.jensentone.com/mod_series
https://wgs4.com/
xntrick
New member
Re: How much do speakers effect the overall volume?
I have the same pair in my 2x12 and they were a nice upgrade from the wizard/governor combo. The Eminence speakers made my amp louder, and volume is the last thing I needed.
I have the same pair in my 2x12 and they were a nice upgrade from the wizard/governor combo. The Eminence speakers made my amp louder, and volume is the last thing I needed.