Hello everybody,

As always, I have a question for you.

If two amplifiers are same in every way, but one has one speaker, the other two, and another four, what would the difference be? (The speaker sizes would be the same as well)

Would there be a difference in sound quality or volume significant enough for me to spend a few extra hundreds?

Assuming the amps AND speakers are all the same, more speaker will be more volume. But not like 2 speakers are twice as loud as 1. It's not that big of a difference. It's more about sound coverage. More speakers equals more sound dispersion. Someone in the amp forum can probably explain it better.

But speaker sensitivity plays a big part. For example, if you have 1 highly efficient ceramic magnet speaker, let's say with a sensitivity over 100 db, then it concievably blow away 4 low powered alnico speakers with a sensitivity of less than 95 db or whatever vintage Jensen's are. Assuming that the same amps are being used for this test too.

So if you get that combo amp with one speaker and feel it's not cutting it for volume. Try upgrading the speaker to one with a higher sensitivity rating. Just make sure speaker wattage rating is OK for the amp and ohms match.

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Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

I can give a technical answer based on audio theory but you might not understand..or you might.

All else being equal...a doubling of power, or the number of speakers will yield a 3 decibel (db) increase in sound pressure level (SPL) or, how loud it is.

This is not a linear measurement..so simply doubling the power...or number of speakers will not make it "twice as loud". In theory, it requires a 10db increase to be "twice as loud", and this is assuming the speakers can handle the power.

So in essence, at the same power level per speaker, if one cab has one speaker, and another has two, it will be 3db louder...which is noticeable, but not substantial. If comparing a one speaker cab to a 4 speaker cab, it theoretically will be 6db louder..not quite twice as loud..but quite noticeable.

As well, low frequency response will be enhanced, since more speakers equal more cone surface area, which equals more air movement. And a speaker essentially is an air mover. In other words..all else being equal, a cab with more speakers will sound "fatter".

Hope this helped a little.

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I'm almost out of stuff to sell.

here's another way to look at it....

the fender stage 100 is a 100 watt amp with 1 8-ohm speaker. by adding another 8-ohm speaker, the power goes to 160 watts.

it is louder, and gives you a fuller sound

In this case..you get more then a 3db gain. You have around 60% more power...and twice the number of speakers. But..since there are now 2 speakers...the power level is less to each speaker (80 watts each) vs one speaker getting 100 watts.

But, it will be louder and fatter no doubt. As a side benefit, the speakers should last longer as two speakers doing less work is easier on a speaker, then demanding more work from one speaker...that is assuming you run the amp all out or close to it for extended periods. If you only play at low to moderate levels...then concern regarding overpowering is a non issue.

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I'm almost out of stuff to sell.

It also depends on how the speakers are wired. In Parellel or Series. Series increases the load and causes speaker output to decline as more load is added. In Parellel the load impedence delines and such the power output increases.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

You've posted your thread on a wrong discussion page. There are specific amp sections in which you can discuss all your problems.

Cheers ya,

John

A huge change in volume! Plus, larger speakers have a deeper bottom end. Try playing a Blues Deville 2x10 and 4x10 and you'll notice how much louder it is. A Twin Reverb 15 has a much basier tone, but a little less total volume that its 2x10 verison...

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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