Speaker wattage rating question

hydro

Prayin' to Cheeses
What results should I expect from pairing a speaker with a fairly high wattage rating with a lower output amp?

For example I have a 90 watt rated Celestion black shadow that is going into a 1x12 extension cabinet. What would/should I expect from using this with, for example, a Princeton reverb or some other lower wattage tube amp?

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Re: Speaker wattage rating question

Just because a speaker can handle a lot of juice doesn't mean you need to use a lot. So unless the sound of a speaker in distress is what you're going for just use your ears.
 
Re: Speaker wattage rating question

Think of speaker wattage as top speed on your car. Just because you car can do 120 mph doesn't mean it won't work for a trip to the grocery store. Short answer - it'll work just fine!
 
Re: Speaker wattage rating question

Some folks use lower wattage speakers for 'speaker break-up' as part of their signature 'tone'
Other folks don't want the speaker to contribute any coloration, so they use higher rated speakers.
your milage may vary....
 
Re: Speaker wattage rating question

What results should I expect from pairing a speaker with a fairly high wattage rating with a lower output amp?

For example I have a 90 watt rated Celestion black shadow that is going into a 1x12 extension cabinet. What would/should I expect from using this with, for example, a Princeton reverb or some other lower wattage tube amp?

Thanks!

Expect awesomeness.

A single Black Shadow C90 can handle just about anything to good results - from the teensiest of the tinies to halfpowered 120w heads

PS a princeton reverb isnt even particularly low wattage anyways. You can get away with throwing less than a single watt at most if not all celestions. And five watts generally powers a 412 cab pretty decent-like already
 
Last edited:
Re: Speaker wattage rating question

c90 is very big and deep sounding. Its also very efficient with the big magnet so it is quite loud. You'll get huge solid lows and a very defined top end with a fair amount of hi-fi mid scoop. Itll make your princeton sound a lot bigger than it is.
 
Re: Speaker wattage rating question

Cool - that sounds a lot like what I am hoping for. Thanks for all the input fellas --
 
Back
Top