speakers... mix n match.. help!

[ailean]

I've been thinking about trying some new speakers in my cab. It's an Orange 4x12 loaded with v30's.

I've been hearing good things about Eminence speakers so I'm tempted to give them a try. However I'm pretty ignorant about speakers so I'm hoping you guys (and gals) can help.

I was thinking of keeping 2 v30's as I'm not unhappy with the tone, I just want to try to give it something 'extra'. I know I need to get 16 Ohm speakers to match the v30's and I know the db rating is a measure of how loud the speaker is at a given amount of power ( and I know I need 12" speakers :) ).

However what I don't know is if it's advisable to mix power ratings, can you mix 60w V30's with 50w, 75 or 100w speakers? I'm using a Rockerverb 50w head so the speakers aren't going to get pushed, one day I'll get a 100w I expect (eyeing a VH4 with envious eyes :D ), but even that isn't going to push the cab that hard.

As yet I'm not looking at any specific models, can anyone recommend a good match with a v30?

Thanks in advance :)

[gwEm]

Vintage 30 and G12H30 is a classic match which i tried myself and works well

by all means mix power ratings, but not impedances. the overall power rating is :

number of speakers X smallest power rating

2 v30 and 2 g12h30 will give 120w rating - certainly safe for 100w head

though i haven't tried it myself, some people have mixed v30 with hot100s or g12-75t with apparently good results

[hamfist]

Yup, V30 with g12H-30 is the classic match. They complement each other really nicely, filling in frequencies that the other is not strong on. - all in a very guitar friendly way.

All my experiences with Eminence speakers have been somewhat unimpressive. They just don't seem to have the British tonality that I crave. It's all just personal preference really, but that's my take on it.

[ailean]

Thanks guys. The only thing that puts me off is the low power rating, I'd never be comfortable using a 100w head with it. It probably doesn't matter of course :)

[Elliot]

I personally prefer the sound of Eminence speakers to Celestions - but then I like the American speaker tone over the British.  The Texas Heat provides a great Americanised green back type tone and the Red White and Blue is every the Italian Jensen's should be.

[ailean]

Hmm... That's a good point, would it be sensible to use an American voiced speaker with a British voiced amp or could I get a horrible mis match?

[_tom_]

Vintage 30 and G12H30 is a classic match which i tried myself and works well

Have you compared the V30/G12H30 mix to a pair of G12H30s, by any chance? If so, what is the difference in tone?

Also, does it work as well in a 2x12 as it would in a x-pattern in a 4x12?

Sorry for the semi-hijack :P

[hamfist]

Hmm... That's a good point, would it be sensible to use an American voiced speaker with a British voiced amp or could I get a horrible mis match?

I don't think it would inherently be a bad thing Rich. It all comes down to what your personal preferences for tone are.

[ailean]

Sorry for the semi-hijack :P

Not aproblem, I'm interested to hear the answer myself :)

[PhilKing]

The biggest thing to remember when mixing and matching speakers is to try to get similar efficiencies.  If you have one speaker at 93db and one at 101db, the 8db difference will mean that you really only hear the more efficient one unless you have your ear to the other!

I have lots of different speakers (Celestion, Eminence, Goodmans, Tone Tubby, Scumback, Jenson (originals), JBL and others).  Depending on what you are going for, I like the Scumbacks, Eminence Tone Spotter, Eminence Blue Tick Hound, Celestion Sidewinder (possibly my favourite), and JBL's in Fender Blackface amps.

I know this wasn't much help in which speaker to go for, but you like the one speaker I don't - the V30 - I have used them but never get on with their tone.  I would tell you to look for Sidewinders if you can find them and then you will never want anything else!

[gwEm]

Vintage 30 and G12H30 is a classic match which i tried myself and works well

Have you compared the V30/G12H30 mix to a pair of G12H30s, by any chance? If so, what is the difference in tone?

Also, does it work as well in a 2x12 as it would in a x-pattern in a 4x12?

Sorry for the semi-hijack :P

i have the combo in a 2x12, both speakers are contemporary made in china celestions (in other words - the anniversary edition g12h). indysmith also has it.

since they are both 100db speakers they are just as loud.

the mids are in a different place on both speakers, as i hear it the 12h has more grinding low mids, and the v30 is all about the upper mids. i found the 12h a bit starved in the upper mids, though i loved its raspy sound. working together the speakers give a fuller larger sound. i'm a 12h fan rather than a v30 fan - i think the 12h on its own sounds quite nice, the v30 is a little honky, but it works really well with the 12h.

[Pete24v]

i've been trying lots of speakers with my Matamp. Have finally decided to leave in a V30 and a Fane Alnico. That pairing gives a full rounded almost 3D sound. I wasn't to keen on the V30 on it's own, but it did sound better after  a 15 gig break in period.

[MDV]

V30 + G12T75 gets my vote

Both are pretty snappy, the G12Ts have the top the V30s lack, the V30s have the high mig definition and bottom the G12Ts lack. Uber-good (yes, I use that combo in an uberkab).

[Denim n Leather]

The V30s are incredibly nasal.

The 12T75 is just plain brittle sounding.

You really should try to play more speaker cabs to get a feel on what you want; there are lots of speakers better than the V30 out there!

[hamfist]

The V30s are incredibly nasal.

The 12T75 is just plain brittle sounding.

You really should try to play more speaker cabs to get a feel on what you want; there are lots of speakers better than the V30 out there!

In a Marshall cab, yes.

But the V30's sound much, much less mid-spikey in the Orange 4x12 for some reason. Just my humble opinion.