Speaker cabinet question

[Bfeeney]

So I'm thinking about expanding the number of 12" speakers I have, Right now I just have a 1-12. My question is what sound do the different setups promote? Two 1-12, one 2-12, two 2-12, 4-12. I'm not really interested in opinions since I know it's in the eye of the beholder, just want to know basic sound properties. Thanks

 

[jmh151]

Re: Speaker cabinet question

More speakers give a bigger sound due to the angle at which each speaker disperses sound. Some speakers like a Celestion Vintage 30 can sound very harsh if you're standing directly in front of the cone, so putting one on the floor and another on top, angled, gives you a good combination. Figure a speaker disperses sound in a V shape- 2 speakers side by side will disperse the sound in a VV shape, giving a wider, bigger sound. Now a 4x12 gives you the highs from the top speakers, while the bottom speakers boom on the floor- giving you a much bigger sound.

a 2x12 I like since it allows you to use combinations of speakers- like one dark, one bright- popular combinations are Celestion Vintage 30/ G12H30, or for metal, Vintage 30/GT1275, which many consider the best tone possible. You can also do it on a 4x12, though a 4x12 is heavier to carry around and louder.

There are other speaker manufacturers as well, like Eminence

Also, you have to look at cabinet construction. My Carvin Legacy 2x12 cabinet was on the small side. The trend these days is to use an oversized , deep 2x12, like Mesa, EVH, or in Marshall, making it taller, to give a bigger, bassier tone. You also have to look at the baffle- most baffles on 2x12's are straight, which don't help much if you're using a 2x12 on the floor- some manufacturers angle the baffle slightly upward, giving you better upward projection.

 

[Bfeeney]

Re: Speaker cabinet question

I was doing a little looking around and found the Marshall MG stack (10") and was thinking about doing something like that. I would get the Celestion Vin30/G12T-75. The cabinets would be a flat bottom and an angled top (like a full stack). This is all just an idea right now, still open to suggestions.

 

[JCM900MkIII]

Re: Speaker cabinet question

Speakers have a frequency curve. Some frequencies are more pronounced then others. Moslty at the ends of the spectrum.
But if you add up the unpronounced or less audible frequencies you might get to hear them.
This gives a much fuller sound.

This is the simple explanation (as far as I understand it, being a carpenter instead of a soundtech etc.)