Author Topic: 20W Speaker in a 22W amp (Read 4017 times)

everton_fc · « **on:** February 23, 2008, 07:32:03 PM »

Will a 20W Greenback turn to toast in a 22w dimed amp? Or will it be working the speaker to it's optimum?

Cheers

indysmith · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2008, 07:58:16 PM »

Toast I'm afraid is the likely event.

Ted · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2008, 08:07:29 PM »

Not good.

everton_fc · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2008, 08:24:40 PM »

cheers!

dave_mc · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2008, 08:26:08 PM »

i'd have thought it might be ok, as speakers tend to be rated conservatively. but it's risky, and those heritages aren't cheap.

if you can easily afford to buy another one if it does blow, might be worth a try. if not, don't.

Elliot · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2008, 08:27:51 PM »

A good guide is that 22 watts needs double watts of speaker when wacked up high. So go for something 50 watt at least. hmmm Alnico Gold?

everton_fc · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2008, 08:45:18 PM »

those golds are so expensive

indysmith · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2008, 09:17:57 PM »

So is a Lamborghini; but ya get what ya pay for :lol:

dave_mc · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2008, 10:11:03 PM »

Quote from: Elliot

A good guide is that 22 watts needs double watts of speaker when wacked up high. So go for something 50 watt at least. hmmm Alnico Gold?

presumably the speaker manufacturers know that, though? I mean, ac30s had two alnico blues in them (30 watts). Putting out more than 30 watts (presumably) when cooking.

Could be wrong, I'm just working on common sense here, which, granted, is often foolish. :)

hamfist · « **Reply #9 on:** February 24, 2008, 08:31:23 AM »

The potential risk is not just blowing the speaker. If the speaker goes open circuit if/when it dies, there is a good chance you could fry you Output Transformer too. That's all an expensive business !
An alternative to a Greenback is a G12-65.
Scumback Speakers also make a sublime 65W rated pre-Rola Greenback clone - expensive to import (about £130) but worth it. I'll be able to report back about them as I am to receive some Scumbacks tommorow !

- http://www.scumbackspeakers.com/m_series.html

hunter · « **Reply #10 on:** February 24, 2008, 08:54:00 AM »

Quote from: everton_fc

those golds are so expensive

hotroxuk.com

here the Gold is as much as the Heritage on Thomann (130 GBP)

8)

ailean · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2008, 07:44:54 PM »

Quote from: dave_mc

Quote from: Elliot
A good guide is that 22 watts needs double watts of speaker when wacked up high. So go for something 50 watt at least. hmmm Alnico Gold?

presumably the speaker manufacturers know that, though? I mean, ac30s had two alnico blues in them (30 watts). Putting out more than 30 watts (presumably) when cooking.

Could be wrong, I'm just working on common sense here, which, granted, is often foolish. :)

I think the rating is the point at which you seriously run the risk of the speaker blowing. However most speakers (all?) will start to distort the sound long before they are pushed to that point, so even if don't push the speaker all the way it will still sound awful, hence the x2 rule, the speaker will be pushed when you drive your amp but won't distort. At what percentage of the power rating the speaker starts to distort will of course vary from speaker to speaker, and of course the type of sound will have an impact, metal is going to reach the limits of the speaker much earlier than some light blues at the same power rating.

everton_fc · « **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2008, 09:19:51 PM »

What are people's opinions on G12-65? Anyone got a used, broken in one to hand? I heard they are good if you wanna Greenback type speaker but obviously around 65W not 20W

hunter · « **Reply #13 on:** February 24, 2008, 09:26:04 PM »

Quote from: everton_fc

What are people's opinions on G12-65? Anyone got a used, broken in one to hand? I heard they are good if you wanna Greenback type speaker but obviously around 65W not 20W

quite trebly, but a very nice speaker. People say it's between Greenback and G12T75, personally I find it quite a bit different from Greenbacks.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2008, 09:43:58 PM »

dimed AC30s with alnico blues last a while, but the speakers ALWAYS go sooner or later - I found this out the hard way with a '63 AC30 and original speakers... where is the crying emoticon...

a Celestion alnico gold is the way to go with a 22w amp if you want that alnico tone.