What kind of difference?

[wickenspoet]

If everything else was identical, how would a guitar amp with 1x12 speaker sound compared to an amp with 2x10's?

Would one configuration sound better or louder than the other?

.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: What kind of difference?

Speaker efficiency will change the volume significantly, much more so than the actual speaker diameter. That said, theoretically (if they're the same efficiency) 2X10's would move more air than a 1X12 . . . there's simply more speaker area:

Area = Pi * r^2
Area of a 10 inch speaker = 3.14 * 10^2 = 314 inches square
Therefor Area of 2 10 inch speakers = 314 * 2 = 628 inches square
Area of a 12 inch speaker = 3.14 * 12^2 = 452 inches square

628 > 452

 

[jeremy]

Re: What kind of difference?

speakers are actually a weird shape not a circle but the idea still holds

but stv is right, the efficiency can have a dramatic effect. a single 12" alnico blue is probably louder than a pair of 10" p10r but two 10" ramrods are probably louder than the blue

 

[lex666]

Re: What kind of difference?

Speaker efficiency will change the volume significantly, much more so than the actual speaker diameter. That said, theoretically (if they're the same efficiency) 2X10's would move more air than a 1X12 . . . there's simply more speaker area:

Area = Pi * r^2
Area of a 10 inch speaker = 3.14 * 10^2 = 314 inches square
Therefor Area of 2 10 inch speakers = 314 * 2 = 628 inches square
Area of a 12 inch speaker = 3.14 * 12^2 = 452 inches square

628 > 452

Wow!

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but a 2x10 would move more air, thereby increasing bass and overall presenece, but would not necessarily be any louder. The increase in volume would just be somewhat of an illusion right? For example, a 100 watt head set on "5" thru a 2x10 cab would not be any louder than a 1x12, but would feel louder due to the increased bass response and presence... Am I correct in this theory?

 

[Red_Label]

Re: What kind of difference?

Wow!

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but a 2x10 would move more air, thereby increasing bass and overall presenece, but would not necessarily be any louder. The increase in volume would just be somewhat of an illusion right? For example, a 100 watt head set on "5" thru a 2x10 cab would not be any louder than a 1x12, but would feel louder due to the increased bass response and presence... Am I correct in this theory?

I can tell you that two 4X12 cabs are not any louder than one 4X12 cab. But the sound is MUCH more full and well-balanced (to my ears).

 

[jeremy]

Re: What kind of difference?

it depends on how efficient the speakers are, two efficient 10" speakers will push more air and be significantly louder than one in-efficient 12"

 

[baritone]

Re: What kind of difference?

If the speakers are identical, the number of speakers will increase the apparent volume. My 4x10 cab is much louder than my 2x12, but there are differences in the design of the individual speakers.

 

[tonedeaf1]

Re: What kind of difference?

I don't know for sure personally, but a lot of people say a 4x12 is louder than a 1x12 at the same volume, the only thing I can figure is that speakers might be more efficient at the lower end of their power handling range. So 4 speakers pushing 5 watts each could be louder than one of the same speakers at 20 watts.

 

[emilio]

Re: What kind of difference?

Wow!

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but a 2x10 would move more air, thereby increasing bass and overall presenece, but would not necessarily be any louder. The increase in volume would just be somewhat of an illusion right? For example, a 100 watt head set on "5" thru a 2x10 cab would not be any louder than a 1x12, but would feel louder due to the increased bass response and presence... Am I correct in this theory?

yes because of the "size" of the sound.

 

[emilio]

Re: What kind of difference?

Speaker efficiency will change the volume significantly, much more so than the actual speaker diameter. That said, theoretically (if they're the same efficiency) 2X10's would move more air than a 1X12 . . . there's simply more speaker area:

Area = Pi * r^2
Area of a 10 inch speaker = 3.14 * 10^2 = 314 inches square
Therefor Area of 2 10 inch speakers = 314 * 2 = 628 inches square
Area of a 12 inch speaker = 3.14 * 12^2 = 452 inches square

628 > 452

logrithms *sigh*