12" speaker comparisons

[jps]

Here is an interesting test of speaker tone:

[Hotzenplotz]

Thank You for the link!!! That is a real comparison!

Love the Celestion Vintage 30 most.


PS: What about a poll of it?

@Jeffrey: perfect and "pricey" upgrade for the speaker boxes of my ELA project (viewtopic.php?f=19&t=403264). A million thanks!

[jps]

I like that he did not try to equalize the volume between samples, as this shows the sensitivity differences between the drivers.

I have to say, I like the tone of the G12M-70, but then, maybe that is because I have a nice old one in my early '70s Princeton Reverb Amp.

[Hotzenplotz]

I like that he did not try to equalize the volume between samples, as this shows the sensitivity differences between the drivers.

+1

That would destroy the comparability already from the beginning. Good choice to assume it.
Even if some speakers do not have their own, "right" settings, the differences in character become very clear.

[whojamfan]

Thanks Jeff, really digging the sweetness of the Swamp Thang. Just got 1 for my Ampeg VT-120, just need a bigger 112 cab to sit it on. Breaking it in inside of a Vox 112TV and the speaker sounds great!

[whojamfan]

Anybody got a Tonker 8ohm they ain't married to?

[Hotzenplotz]

Well, this thread cost me now some bucks, but it seems to bring me the perfection I was looking for:

As some here already know I am a totally convinced user of the VOX AC30VR. And as I said before: a great, versatile amp, cheap and cheerful!

VOX is offering this amp equipped with the Celestion G12 Seventy 80 (Custom made for VOX called "VX12"). Not a bad speaker, indeed.

But I was still looking for a special, warm but still clear and crisp punch - and a bit more sound level. - Then this thread crossed my way...

Both speakers are in this comparison vid. While the Seventy 80 offers 98dB, the V30 offers 100dB and as You can hear more clarity in tone (but it is not "cold" at all!). The V30 is a legend - and now my new favourite!!! The vid is really close to reality!

Although my new (just a few hours before installed!) V30s are still at the beginning of the "run in period" my first impressions are:


Next tuesday we do the next rehearsal. I will keep You all informed!


@jps: Thank You a lot for this thread!!! You made my day and MY sound!

[winston]

That's a very cool way of comparing speakers. Thanks Jeff. You have performed a great service to the guitar players on the RRF by posting that video.

I wonder........... is there a similar comparison for bass speakers?

[johnhall]

While it's an excellent depiction of a static test, it does nothing to show the effect the cabinet might have on the sound. Specifically, the cabinet should be tuned to the speaker and without doing so, some may be optimized but others not.

Nevertheless, it's a demo that gives some means for rough comparison. Tuning is more likely to affect volume than tone anyway, although those are related.

[Hotzenplotz]

Of course the cabinet (open/ closed, type of wood, etc.) has got a lot of influence on the sound, I agree immediately. The benefit of the vid is that just one parameter was changed during the whole test.

But the vid shows the different characters of the speakers as good as it can do, IMHO. Based on this I was listening and reading about different speakers for a longer time (since Nov. last year).
BTW: An "objective" comparison is not possible at all, because the speakers at home when listening and looking at the vid have an influence, too. I was listening at home with my hi-fi system, for example. Others use earphones, etc...

As a convinced user of the VOX AC30VR I wrote about my personal experience, taste and results. - Even the VOX AC30VR can be discussed until the earth stops to turn... I love it, others prefer the "real" AC30, I do not.

Now I sell the original, nearly unused speakers at eBay. In the end this very recommendable upgrade will just cost me about 50,-€, shipping included!!! Combined with toasters and flatwounds the sound is just amazing!!!
Hey, all in all I just payed 500,- €-bucks for my customized VR amp! A very pricey way to a very good, "gigable" and versatile sound with as less as possible maintenance (just one small tube to change!).


So there was some money remaining for a VOX lil' night train combined with the "greenbacked" 12" VOX cab V112NT (not the standard bundle with the V110NT!). - More about that funny beast in another thread...

[jps]

While it's an excellent depiction of a static test, it does nothing to show the effect the cabinet might have on the sound. Specifically, the cabinet should be tuned to the speaker and without doing so, some may be optimized but others not.

Nevertheless, it's a demo that gives some means for rough comparison. Tuning is more likely to affect volume than tone anyway, although those are related.

I agree, especially since these are guitar speakers that are usually used in either open back or sealed cabinets that have far less affect than ported cabinets; the one in the video looks for all intents, like a bass cabinet, instead.

[jimk]

Thank You for the link!!! That is a real comparison!

Love the Celestion Vintage 30 most.

For that guitar, and using that level of distortion, I agree. I'm not at all certain how it would sound with a Rickenbacker 360/12 string and a Janglebox. It might be OK. Or it might be too much of a good thing. Who knows?
JimK

[Hotzenplotz]

As promised, after three joyful hours of today's rehearsal a first result: GREAT, GREAT and GREAT!!!

The tone is absolutely clear, warm, full and ringing. No harsh at all, it just vibes! And such a nice punch! I am sure a twelve-string will fit perfectly, too. Already with a six-string the opening chord of "A Hard Day's Night" sounds very close to the original.

I had to reduce the output 30% in the end (the others did not change their settings)! Now the AC30VR offers more headroom than I need. Do not forget the speakers are still in the run in period (I read it needs about 40 hours for that). The first ten minutes the sound was some kind of stiff, panic! - but then I had to reduce the volume song by song and the speakers started to behave smoother and smoother. My bandmates did not want to believe it is the same amp they knew before.

For all who are looking for a pricey, full and ringing Rickenbacker sound, british-coloured in the typical AC30 style: Buy the VOX AC30VR, upgrade to the Celestion Vintage 30 and be just happy! The original speakers can be sold to reduce the price for this upgrade to a ridiculous minimum, too.
I personally think this combination is some kind of insider's tip, suitable for making the marketing department of VOX a bit nervous when they think of selling the all tube AC30!

Yummy!

@ jps: This thread brought me more than I ever wanted, I am happy to tripped over it. - Many thanks!

[jps]