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Post subject: OPEN-BACK SPEAKER CABINETS (vs) CLOSED-BACK SPEAKER CABINETS
Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 12:42 am
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Hi! The subject of OPEN-BACK Speaker Cabinets, CLOSED-BACK Speaker Cabinets,
and SIMI-CLOSED-BACK Speaker Cabinets with "AIR-PORTs" is very interesting to me.

First of all, I understand to some degree how closed back speaker cabinets offer speaker cone
support via back-side air pressure. It does suprise me to learn that possibly my four
(pictured below) CLOSED-BACK speaker cabinets: have no air ports at all :?: :?: :?:
(Fender 1963 Tremolux 2x10, Fender 1994 Tone Master 2x12, 1x15 Fender, 4x10 Fender)


Please follow me on my bungled attempt of a question, as it'll comes together, maybe :lol:
My speaker cabinet idea begs an inquiring mind to ask this simple/complex question :lol:


In reality, I have or can produce:
1) 1994 Tone Master 100w "amp head" with 2x12 CLOSED-BACK speaker cabinet.
2) 1968 Fender Twin Reverb 94w "Combo" with 2x12 OPEN-BACK speaker cabinet.
3) 1984 Twin Reverb II 105w "amp head" with 2x12 OPEN-BACK speaker cabinet.

Pretend all speaker are the same, or popped from one cabinet to another.
Obviously not, but pretend all the chassis are the same 100w outputs.
Then, pretend, the only difference within the three different setups
are the back-panels of the speaker cabinets: one closed-back and two open-backs.

Will the Twin Reverb 2x12 Combo be ANY different than Twin Reverb II amp head & open-back cabinet?

Will the closed-back 2x12 sound that much different than an open-back 2x12?


My goal is to build some dedicated OPEN-BACK speaker cabinets driven by amp heads.
That way, one speaker cabinet can work with a variety of amp heads.
I'd decided upon open-back for the same results as guitar cabinets with open-back cabs.

Obviously the two open back setups will fill a hotel lobby area fairly well.
The closed back cabinet will be straight ahead with powerful forward sound projections.

So, "THE" question is:
1) Why do guitar amps have open-back cabinets?
2) Why are dedicated speaker cabinets USUALLY closed-back with no air-ports?
3) Why not have closed-back speaker cabinets that can easily convert to open-back cabinets?
4) Why not all speaker cabinets be closed-back or all open back?


Personally, I've sent some rough sketches of dedicated speaker cab to be built, all to be
open-back: "Top-Third Panel" closed, middle third open, "Bottom Third Pane" closed.
My plan is for the custom cabinets to be similar as Fender 4x10 Bassmans' backsides.

Does anyone UNDERSTAND my ideas (don't have to disagree or agree)?
I really do not see the need for home, church, small venue or medium venues to have
closed back speaker cabinets (especially for 2x10 or 2x12 cabinets). For big venues,
I can see closed back cabinets, but they will need to be mic'd, anyway. Therefore,
within my way of thinking, anytime you REALLY NEED a closed-back cabinet, it will
be in a big/large venue and will need to be mic'd. If you use a closed-back cabinet
in a smaller venue, then you could/should have used a combo amp or an open-back cab.

A point for closed-back cabinets is some guitarists may like the tone. Therefore, within a recording studio
setup, a closed-back cabinet makes sense if the tone works and volume is not a pressing concern.

Again, all my humble opinion. Please share your experiences and do's & don'ts.
Please share your ideas, pluses & minuses, good and bad. Thank you. Toppscore 8)



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Post subject: Re: OPEN-BACK SPEAKER CABINETS (vs) CLOSED-BACK SPEAKER CABI
Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 8:16 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Toppscore, check out Mesa/Boogie's website. They have every configuration you could imagine. They have closed-back, open-back, 3/4 back, convertables, they even have a 2x12 and a 4x12 that is one side open and one side closed,operational in stereo or mono. They also have compact and thiele 1x12's. Even if some people don't like thier amps, most would agree thier speaker cabinets are some of the best available.

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Post subject: Re: OPEN-BACK SPEAKER CABINETS (vs) CLOSED-BACK SPEAKER CABI
Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 8:28 pm
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Hollis Prince wrote:
Toppscore, check out Mesa/Boogie's website. They have every configuration you could imagine. They have closed-back, open-back, 3/4 back, convertables, they even have a 2x12 and a 4x12 that is one side open and one side closed,operational in stereo or mono. They also have compact and thiele 1x12's. Even if some people don't like thier amps, most would agree thier speaker cabinets are some of the best available.


Thank you, Hollis. I went to their webpage and saw the different Mesa Boogie speaker amp models.

Most are open back.

Interestingly, the few closed back speaker cabinets that I saw, still have air-ports on the baffle.
Maybe I missed them, but I believe that Mesa Boogie does not make totally sealed speaker cabinets
similar to my Fender Tremulox or my Fender Tone Mster.

Now, I gotta admit that I have not taken off the grill on any of my four speaker cabinets
to verify no air-ports. Never know what custom air-port orders Fender produced :lol:

Toppscore 8)

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Post subject: Re: OPEN-BACK SPEAKER CABINETS (vs) CLOSED-BACK SPEAKER CABI
Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 8:33 pm
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Still would like to hear from those who have experienced
Closed-Back speaker cabinets (with air-ports or without air-ports,
dedicated open-back speaker cabinets, and similar combo amp speaker setup.

Thanks ahead of time. Toppscore :)

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Post subject: Re: OPEN-BACK SPEAKER CABINETS (vs) CLOSED-BACK SPEAKER CABI
Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 11:10 pm
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Top, your thread is too complicated for me. Have a cab, that has 1/3 center panel, readily installed-or not. But it's only for a 5watt amp. So probably wouldn't apply to your inquiry. Art

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Post subject: Re: OPEN-BACK SPEAKER CABINETS (vs) CLOSED-BACK SPEAKER CABI
Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 11:32 pm
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aclempoppi wrote:
Top, your thread is too complicated for me. Have a cab, that has 1/3 center panel, readily installed-or not. But it's only for a 5watt amp. So probably wouldn't apply to your inquiry. Art



Thanks. I am going to have some cabinets built.
I fancy the open-back cabinets, and I purchase many Fender amp heads to be able
to use a custom speaker cabinet with several different amp heads at different times.

Then with all being equal (speakers and guitars) I can see which amp heads sound
best with certain speaker cabinets.

I noticed most all Fender Speaker cabinets are not open-back, and seldom ported.
Hollis mentioned to investigate Mesa Boogie. I noticed that most all of Mesa Boogie's
dedicated guitar speaker cabinets are open-backed. Good news for me.

Therefore, I desired comments from those who've experienced both open & closed back
speaker cabinets, preferably with the same amp head and the same guitar.

I'll be having fun experimenting myself (down the road).

Sorry that I've a hard time putting into words what's within my mind :)

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Post subject: Re: OPEN-BACK SPEAKER CABINETS (vs) CLOSED-BACK SPEAKER CABI
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 10:44 am
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Topp, if you are having custom cabs made, why not have them made to both open and closed back specs? With a variable port that can be closed off? Then you can play around with parameters (such as 1/2 open, 3/4 open, closed, etc) and listen for the end results. My bet is depending on the situation, you'd get better tone outta an open back & other situations, a closed back (and maybe ported).


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Post subject: Re: OPEN-BACK SPEAKER CABINETS (vs) CLOSED-BACK SPEAKER CABI
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 6:32 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
Topp, if you are having custom cabs made, why not have them made to both open and closed back specs? With a variable port that can be closed off? Then you can play around with parameters (such as 1/2 open, 3/4 open, closed, etc) and listen for the end results. My bet is depending on the situation, you'd get better tone outta an open back & other situations, a closed back (and maybe ported).

BMW2002Ti wrote:
Topp, if you are having custom cabs made, why not have them made to both open and closed back specs? With a variable port that can be closed off? Then you can play around with parameters (such as 1/2 open, 3/4 open, closed, etc) and listen for the end results. My bet is depending on the situation, you'd get better tone outta an open back & other situations, a closed back (and maybe ported).



The problem with being a Fender Man is not seeing the whole picture :lol:

Now that I know top end guitar speaker cabinets supply open-backed cabinets,
I am good to go. I believe all will be built convertable style with a removable
1/3rd back-panel for the convertable and can be closed if desired.
Also, maybe that removable back-panel can have one or two four inch ports
that can be closed or opened to various degrees.

Problem solved! And, there will be more "tone" creations with these cabinet possibilites.

Where would I be without you guys :shock:


Now, I have a plan and need to locate a builder who is willing to do things different.
I have chatted with some who love my ideas and some who will not vary from
thier existing line-up.

Thanks again. Toppscore :)

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