Speaker Wattage and Tone

[alanfc]

hello-
can someone run down the key differences for me-

between higher watt vs. lower watt?

and "speaker distortion"?

thanks
:newangel:

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Speaker Wattage and Tone

wattage means it can handle x ammount of power

speaker OD is when the volume you're playing at gets too loud for the speaker, and it starts vibrating pretty violently & makes a distorted sound

 

[joelap]

Re: Speaker Wattage and Tone

Expanding on that, speakers with lower wattage will distort quicker than higher wattage speakers. For example, Celestion Greenbacks (25watts) will start to distort at a lower volume than Vintage30's (60watts) will.

Hope this helped.

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Speaker Wattage and Tone

i dont like speaker distortion, it seems that the speaker begins to get real muddy and flabby in tone when this happens. on my peavey im running old school scorpions and they give with my master vcl on 10 and my normal channel volume at 3.5 . Sorry to hijack a tad, but whats a good highwattage vintage sounding speaker?

 

[alanfc]

Re: Speaker Wattage and Tone

i dont like speaker distortion, it seems that the speaker begins to get real muddy and flabby in tone when this happens. on my peavey im running old school scorpions and they give with my master vcl on 10 and my normal channel volume at 3.5 . Sorry to hijack a tad, but whats a good highwattage vintage sounding speaker?

thanks guys

Quencho- this is what I'm getting at I think- the end results of x wattage under volume vs. y wattage

I am shopping for a 2x12 . I have a Carvin 1x12 right now that has an Eminence clone of a V30. Its mushy and not my style. My Combo amp speaker has a Celestion 85w and I like it alot better. This means I don't like low watt speakers that distort?
:smack:

 

[Thames]

Re: Speaker Wattage and Tone

Hmm... wait wait wait

First of all, the Peavey Scorpions arent great speakers at all, and as a normal effect, they arent "musical" at all when pushed hard.

A normally great low wattage speaker will have a pleasant, musical distortion.

BTW, the V12 (eminence) isnt a real "clone" of the V30. Close, but not "that".

I prefer low wattage speakers, 'cause I like when my speakers vibrate and wail with me

 

[alanfc]

Re: Speaker Wattage and Tone

Hmm... wait wait wait

First of all, the Peavey Scorpions arent great speakers at all, and as a normal effect, they arent "musical" at all when pushed hard.

A normally great low wattage speaker will have a pleasant, musical distortion.

BTW, the V12 (eminence) isnt a real "clone" of the V30. Close, but not "that".

I prefer low wattage speakers, 'cause I like when my speakers vibrate and wail with me

OK I think I know what you mean now.
The expression "pleasant musical distortion" clicks with me, since with vocal recording we get the distortion of a tube preamp+compressor and it is pleasing when done properly. Maybe what I've been hearing all these years from classic rock + other guitar tones is partly the speakers and not just the guts of the amp...

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Speaker Wattage and Tone

I was talking with Hawkman, who has two Bogner 2-12s. Vin 30's in one, and H-30's in the other. He says the H-30's still have that classic Celestion sound, but are bigger and more wide open sounding. I'm curious about those, now.

 

[alanfc]

Re: Speaker Wattage and Tone

I was talking with Hawkman, who has two Bogner 2-12s. Vin 30's in one, and H-30's in the other. He says the H-30's still have that classic Celestion sound, but are bigger and more wide open sounding. I'm curious about those, now.

hey thanks-
I just went to your gear site and also the Revolution site. Revolution is a few blocks from my place ! (I'm right there by the SM Airport)
Is Revolution a storefront/walk-in type store?

 

[alanfc]

Re: Speaker Wattage and Tone

update on the QUEST:

In my quest to learn about speaker types & wattage, so as to have my best cab mic'ed for live play, I've asked a million questions but have done no real tests. But here is one.

2 :30 clips
One is the Eminence V30-type
One is the Celestion 85w

Same amp settings, same guitar, same mic preamp levels, same mic position, (head on 1cm off grill just like the club techs have been doing). I just moved the mic from one speaker to the other. A little buzzy due bedroom volume/low master vol., and a little sloppy due I'm playing hooky from work right now on my lunch hour.

which do you think is which, and whats going to come out better live?. I've found my answer in the test.

please give me your opinions !

It's TRACK 1 entitled
"Cab Mic Test"

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=2962&alid=1070

click the big Play button for hi-fi stream, small for lo-fi, and the down arrow to download.

 

[Thames]

Re: Speaker Wattage and Tone

I was talking with Hawkman, who has two Bogner 2-12s. Vin 30's in one, and H-30's in the other. He says the H-30's still have that classic Celestion sound, but are bigger and more wide open sounding. I'm curious about those, now.

I have a Vintage30 and G12H30 in my 2x12 cab. I prefer the H30, and thinking replacing the V30 for a Greenback. I prefer a warm, woody tone more than a cutting V30 tone.

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Speaker Wattage and Tone

hmmmm...that got me thinking...pehaps a good set of old school jensen alnicos would be just what the doctor ordered!

 

[alanfc]

Re: Speaker Wattage and Tone

do you guys have a guess at which speaker is which on my clip?