Is 20 watts enough to drive a 4x12 cab?

[Guitar Toad]

More speakers allow greater "expression" for a given amp right? And for better portability will 20 watts drive two 2x12 cabs?

What do you think amp guru's?

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Is 20 watts enough to drive a 4x12 cab?

I have a 20watter that I ran to a 2x12 cab & a 4x10 cab.......................






Yeah, it was pretty bada$$:bigthumb:

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Is 20 watts enough to drive a 4x12 cab?

You're saying 20 watts is plenty. Cool.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Is 20 watts enough to drive a 4x12 cab?

I've run my Crate GX-15 through my 4x12 with satisfactory results and I also have a 1/2 watt amp that pushes my 4x12.

 

[nuntius]

Re: Is 20 watts enough to drive a 4x12 cab?

There's a video on the smoky amp page of that driving a 4x12, and that's less than one watt.. I'm pretty sure a 20 watter will handle it

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Is 20 watts enough to drive a 4x12 cab?

I've run my Crate GX-15 through my 4x12 with satisfactory results and I also have a 1/2 watt amp that pushes my 4x12.

Since it's not about loud. I would still need to have 4x12 speakers that are appropriately rated for a 20 watt signal and proper impedance is the issue.

Thanks guys.

ErikH you said "satisfactory results". Does that mean it wasn't really a tone improvement over the crates 1x speaker? But it still sounded good.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Is 20 watts enough to drive a 4x12 cab?

Since it's not about loud. I would still need to have 4x12 speakers that are appropriately rated for a 20 watt signal and proper impedance is the issue.

Thanks guys.

ErikH you said satisfactory results. Does that mean it wasn't really a tone improvement over the crates 1x speaker? But it still sounded good.

It was actually a very good tone improvement. The closed back really helped fill out some of the low end void. I wouldn't gig with it like that though but for jamming at home and recording it's fine.

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Is 20 watts enough to drive a 4x12 cab?

As long as the speaker configuration has a total impedance load that is compatible with your amp, and assuming the speakers can handle the amp's wattage output, then the choice of speaker config should only relate to the volume and tone you want or need.

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Is 20 watts enough to drive a 4x12 cab?

As long as the speaker configuration has a total impedance load that is compatible with your amp, and assuming the speakers can handle the amp's wattage output, then the choice of speaker config should only relate to the volume and tone you want or need.

A 20 watt amp through a 4x12 cab would be much louder than through a 1x12? Does the 4x12 double the volume? I need to get out and try this, but I imagine that 4 speakers would give greater depth to tone as compared to the one.

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Is 20 watts enough to drive a 4x12 cab?

Adding speakers will push more air and increase volume (see a related thread here for some estimates). It will also change the tone, as a 1x12 cabinet has a different resonance and dispersion than a 4x12 cab (esp. if the 1x12 is in a combo cab). I'm no expert, so I can stand to be corrected, but this is what I have read and experienced so far.

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Is 20 watts enough to drive a 4x12 cab?

Adding speakers will push more air and increase volume (see a related thread here for some estimates). It will also change the tone, as a 1x12 cabinet has a different resonance and dispersion than a 4x12 cab (esp. if the 1x12 is in a combo cab). I'm no expert, so I can stand to be corrected, but this is what I have read and experienced so far.

Are you talking about the "It's not about loud..." thread? I'll read it more thoroughly then.

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Is 20 watts enough to drive a 4x12 cab?

Yup, I think that's the one -- around p. 4 or 5 I think.

 

[Davey]

Re: Is 20 watts enough to drive a 4x12 cab?

yes it is enough. it will be louder since your volume perceptance will percieve it as louder cos the speakers will push more air and it will sound fuller

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Is 20 watts enough to drive a 4x12 cab?

My bandmate used an 18w soldano atomic head into a marshall 1960 4x12 at last practice and sounded great. it definitely required me to pull back the throttle on the marshall I was using, though. Great for keeping rehearsals quiet and for recording.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Is 20 watts enough to drive a 4x12 cab?

I Like running my little 15 watt EL84 Fender Pro Juinor through my Marshall V30 4x12 cab...It rips and it's plenty loud...

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Is 20 watts enough to drive a 4x12 cab?

My brother runs his Kustom Tube 12 (great little amp BTW) into my Marshall 2X12 cab when jamming with his friends and it sounds great. It doesn't have much headroom, but it does a good Marshall impersonation for a hybrid practice amp.

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Is 20 watts enough to drive a 4x12 cab?

From all I hear I think I want a Super Reverb or a Bassman but I think they have too much power for me. It looks like I'm gonna stick to looking at 1x12, 15-20 watt combos with to option for running a extension cab.

Thanks Scott_F for your it's not about loud thread and the many other thread and contributions over the last several months. You guys have been an invaluable resource.