Author Topic: 50w vs 100w (Read 3433 times)

Woogie · « **on:** January 25, 2008, 10:46:53 PM »

When it comes to Plexi's I know that either will be VERY loud. So that doesn't bother me but what are the tonal differences between the two?

Is there enough difference to warrant one over the other?

Cheers

Jonny · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2008, 11:30:02 PM »

I would think getting a 50w would be more distinct than a 100w because it's basically just LOUDER than any 'better' but I'm a total newbie @ amps but that's what I would think.

It's my two cents, no more, no less.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2008, 11:54:34 PM »

50w heads compress more and distort at a slight more sensible volume - but we're still talking LOUD gig volumes.

100w heads have more bass, attack and are brutally loud.

I prefer 100s fwiw. Then again, people always told me that my band was the loudest they'd ever heard at every venue we played. The drums were getting drowned out so we mic'd them through the PA.

:lol:

Twinfan · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2008, 12:30:12 AM »

I'm with HTH. I love the sound of four EL34s or four KT-66s. Power, punch, definition. Ear bleedingly loud though, so a master volume is a must if you wnat valve distortion.

If you prefer a more compressed, gainy sound then 50s are the way to go.

shaman · « **Reply #4 on:** January 26, 2008, 12:49:24 AM »

I agree with hth and twin-I have a Boogie Coliseum(180 watts) I love the punch and headroom-nothing lik e 6 6l6's pumpin' it out 8) !!
-I used to play 50 watt marshalls(just like Duane allman and dickie Betts),,my idols..), but I like the versatility of more watts -now I can cop that tone AND others as well(fwiw, it allowed me to do the most important thing: find MY tone!!..my thiele cabs have A LOT to do with that as well...sooo many variables...)
-both kick ass-I suggest having both!

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #5 on:** January 26, 2008, 01:18:08 AM »

four KT66s, Mmmm!!! - now we're talking.

btw Dave, I've got the transformers for my JTM45/100 build - they f'in huge and look very authentic with the hammertone end covers. Well chuffed!

I might be sorted with a chassis too (Metro are doing another run of JTM45/100 bare-bones kits).

Anyway, sorry to hijack the thread (whoops)

:lol:

Twinfan · « **Reply #6 on:** January 26, 2008, 12:08:50 PM »

Top stuff mate - apparantly the transformers from Nik for my build are MASSIVE :D

Henk · « **Reply #7 on:** January 26, 2008, 03:40:05 PM »

100w has more muscle generally, and 50w sounds more mean at comparable volumes IMO.

50w is a bit more flexible, but 100w can sound a bit bigger IMO

If i had to choose, i prefer 50w, mean rocks! :twisted:

gwEm · « **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2008, 11:48:29 AM »

I must say I also like 50s... On the one hand, although they are still insanely loud, I think 'home' volumes sound nicer. Also maintainence is cheaper :) (less valves to buy). Fully cranked tone-wise... I can't really say which I prefer.

hunter · « **Reply #9 on:** January 28, 2008, 07:48:03 PM »

I was lucky to own an Einstein top, where I could pull two tubes to compare the two options. 50W was kind of "further away" sounding, a tad more ambient, less "fast" and less headroom, so when you hit those strings, the 100W were more dynamic, even at low volume.

I preferred 100W at that occasion.

It's also a matter of design I suppose, e.g. my Shiva is 2xEL34 only, but still very tight.

Davey · « **Reply #10 on:** January 28, 2008, 08:09:32 PM »

i got a 50W at the moment and i love the sound. i dont think i'll be buying or needing a 100W anytime soon

Twinfan · « **Reply #11 on:** January 28, 2008, 08:46:11 PM »

Nobody NEEDS 100w. Sometimes you just WANT one :twisted:

dave_mc · « **Reply #12 on:** January 28, 2008, 08:59:00 PM »

Quote from: hunter

I was lucky to own an Einstein top, where I could pull two tubes to compare the two options. 50W was kind of "further away" sounding, a tad more ambient, less "fast" and less headroom, so when you hit those strings, the 100W were more dynamic, even at low volume.

I preferred 100W at that occasion.

It's also a matter of design I suppose, e.g. my Shiva is 2xEL34 only, but still very tight.

that probably isn't giving you a fair indication of a good 50 watter though... the OT etc. is aimed at 100 watts, so at the 50 watt setting won't saturate as much etc. (i think).

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #13 on:** January 28, 2008, 09:23:35 PM »

Quote from: Twinfan

Nobody NEEDS 100w. Sometimes you just WANT one :twisted:

Dunno about that.

At certain festival gigs when playing through a stack, I notice my amp is much more at ease when playing in 100W. In general, I prefer my amp in 100W when playing a fulls stack; 50W for anything smaller.

Henk · « **Reply #14 on:** January 29, 2008, 08:55:14 AM »

Quote from: dave_mc

Quote from: hunter
I was lucky to own an Einstein top, where I could pull two tubes to compare the two options. 50W was kind of "further away" sounding, a tad more ambient, less "fast" and less headroom, so when you hit those strings, the 100W were more dynamic, even at low volume.

I preferred 100W at that occasion.

It's also a matter of design I suppose, e.g. my Shiva is 2xEL34 only, but still very tight.

that probably isn't giving you a fair indication of a good 50 watter though... the OT etc. is aimed at 100 watts, so at the 50 watt setting won't saturate as much etc. (i think).

If you take out two tubes out of a 100w 4 tube power stage you must set the output impendance accordingly. I have too look that up but it think you need to set it at 8 ohm when you play a 16 ohm load.

If you dont adjust the OT you will hear some nasty sh8t i guess.

Also many amps that can switch between 100w and 50w just decrease power to the speakers in some way, it never sounds as a 'real' 50w that way.

Author Topic: 50w vs 100w (Read 3433 times)

TwilightOdyssey