what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

[34029324079]

I mean, stereo speakers come in various sizes, usually 8", 10", or 12". Why do most guitar amps have 12" speakers (moreso in 1/2 stacks although 10" are featured in some cabs)? Is this tradition, or sound, or both?

 

[Corbic]

Re: what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

I wonder this as well. I guess it was because most speakers were that size, so when they made specialized speakers for guitars they based them off the designs they had, which were mainly 12" speakers. But remember, some of the first amps were smallers ones like Fender Champs and such. They had 8" speakers. Maybe they just give a better tone because of the size...which they evidently do because they are used more often (There are some exceptions...none that I can think of though).

 

[jdm61]

Re: what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

When you read the specs of Celstion speakers, they list the resonant frequencies. Wonder if a 12" is the best size in that regard.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

I've always wondered why it wasn't popular to have cabs like 10/12/15 or 10/10/12. I'm assuming it's because different size speakers move air at a different rate, and could cause phasing issues, but bass cabs use mixed combinations all the time. The Gibson Goldtone often comes in a 12/10 configuration though. I think it boils down to tradition, and also weight issues.

 

[Aceman]

Re: what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

I like 10's! They just seem "tighter" and more "responsive"

 

[ES350]

Re: what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

At one time, 15" was thought to be the choice for serious professionals...12" just became a standard size by the 70's due to the popularity of Marshalls, Fender Twins, etc. I don't think there is anything inherently superior about that speaker size--after all, who knows what a 14" or a 11" sounds like?

 

[Curly]

Re: what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

these things usually don't happen by accident, especially after decades of PAs and guitar amps.

nothing's wrong with 10s or 15s though... or 8s for that matter.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

I like 10's! They just seem "tighter" and more "responsive"

+1.....I've learned to really like a 4x10 cab

But certain amps just sound better with a 12".....my Edana (JTM45) sounds better thru an open-backed 2x12 than it does closed back or thru a 4x10 open or closed.

:dunno:

Taste & personal preference I s'pose!

 

[saladin]

Re: what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

For clean sounds 15" sound amazing. They don't have the midrange detail that 12" have when distorted, which is why 12" speakers get used in most amps.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

For clean sounds 15" sound amazing. They don't have the midrange detail that 12" have when distorted, which is why 12" speakers get used in most amps.

I think that right there answers the question as to why 12" speakers are the "magic size".

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

I've always wondered why it wasn't popular to have cabs like 10/12/15 or 10/10/12. I'm assuming it's because different size speakers move air at a different rate, and could cause phasing issues, but bass cabs use mixed combinations all the time. The Gibson Goldtone often comes in a 12/10 configuration though. I think it boils down to tradition, and also weight issues.

Some people think that because the voice coil of a 12 and a 10 are in differant planes when mounted on the same baffle board that there are phase issues. I don't know...

One 12 is cheaper than two 10's and that's one reason you see more one 12 amps than two 10 amps.

And 12's have a deeper, fuller tone and usually handle more power than most 10's.

I think you see 12's more often than 10's simply because 12's have a bigger, deeper tone than 10's and sound better to most players.

I like them both!

Lew

 

[Sludgenutz]

Re: what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

The larger the primary diameter of a speaker, the deeper the "primay tone". Asking a 10" speaker to create a fundamental tone as low as a 12" speaker is limited.

A 12" speaker can create the tones of a 10" speaker, as the the higher frequencies generated from both speakers emanates from the smaller radii of the cone. If the user wants to boost the lost treble of the 12" speaker...grab the tone control and turn clockwise.

15" speakers tend to sound "tubby". There are limits.

This is a simplistic explanation. The Hi-Fi speaker builder has different rules. Creating heavy/complex ported cabs to overcome the smallness in speaker size is part of the process, and makes economic sense in that part of the sonic universe.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

For clean sounds 15" sound amazing. They don't have the midrange detail that 12" have when distorted, which is why 12" speakers get used in most amps.

That's pretty close to my theory. It's that midrange response that increases as the speaker gets to 15" and by the time you get to 18" it transforms into an entirely different character. However, when you get to 15" that midrange response is tempered by the actual mass of the speaker pushing the air- where some would say the 15" is 'flubby' is that the speaker can't respond and recover as quickly as a 10 or 12.

 

[Bludave]

Re: what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

I like 10's! They just seem "tighter" and more "responsive"

My 4 10" Speakers in My Super Reverb is my Favorite Amp.... I don't even know what kind they are!! It just sounds real solid to me. Crisp Highs and plenty of Bottom.:fingersx:

 

[Telesexual]

Re: what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

4 ten or 2 twelves. I really dont like half stacks.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

Today my friend and I were talking about how cool a 2x12 4x10 2x15 stack would be...the whole town would vibrate

-X

 

[Sludgenutz]

Re: what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

Today my friend and I were talking about how cool a 2x12 4x10 2x15 stack would be...the whole town would vibrate

-X

Randall makes a 1/2 stack cab with two-12's, and one-15". That may be might be my next big step-up.

 

[34029324079]

Re: what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

^ I have seen those when dime was playin em...they gotta hit for people tuned to c#...

warning: bassists, beware of being drowned out!!

The guy from staind did that with a 15" and his bassist hated it per a Guitar Magazine interview

 

[James Rock]

Re: what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

Also most speaker brands most expensive (best sounding because of materials) are 12" because 10" aren't as popular

 

[Zerberus]

Re: what makes a 12" speaker the magic size for guitar amps?

Who said they´re the magic size??? What´s wrong with 4x10+2x15 for example..

I think it depends on the tone you´re going after.. every speaker and size has a different range of frequencies it can produce with minimal coloring of the tone, the question is essentially "what coloring do you want and where"