Speaker Efficiency

[Ocelot]

What constitutes an 'efficient' speaker? Is it largely a question of dbs, and if so, how many dbs make for an efficient/loud speaker? I ask because I'm thinking of picking up a 1X12 cab to go with a 15-watt head, and I want as much volume as I can muster from the small head. Thanks!

[TweeDLX]

What constitutes an 'efficient' speaker? Is it largely a question of dbs, and if so, how many dbs make for an efficient/loud speaker? I ask because I'm thinking of picking up a 1X12 cab to go with a 15-watt head, and I want as much volume as I can muster from the small head. Thanks!
Efficiency or "sensitivity" is measured in dB's. The higher the rating, the more efficient (loud) the speaker. Eminence has this : http://www.eminence.com/guitar.asp?speaker_size=12
to help you choose a speaker. They also have a Tone guide:
http://www.eminence.com/pdf/tone_guide.pdf

Mike

[Ocelot]

Is there a downside to a very efficient speaker? Loss of tone somehow?

[WesKuhnley]

G12H style and most Alnico speakers are in the 99-100dB range, which is good for the context you're talking about. Depending on your application and needs (clean headroom, amp topology etc) that may be more than you need. Really depends on more than a few factors.

[Ocelot]

I have a 15-watt Vox style head and am looking for loud, clean headroom, and preferably from as light a speaker as possible (I live in NYC and cart things around via subway and cab). I play in a fairly loud alt-country band and was wondering what might maximize the output, without compromising the tone of the amp.

[strat a various]

Sensitivity in terms of dBs is one factor. Power handling is another. Finally, how the speaker is voiced, what the usable frequency range is, and what the resonant frequency is. I find Neo-type magnet speakers usually sound good over all, and are real light. There are so many choices and so many opinions, it's worth getting an ebay account and planning to buy, try, sell (the ones you don't keep).
Tone-wise, I find my favorite speakers are usually inefficient, but that's just me. You may love the tone of high SPL speakers.

[WesKuhnley]

I have a 15-watt Vox style head and am looking for loud, clean headroom, and preferably from as light a speaker as possible (I live in NYC and cart things around via subway and cab). I play in a fairly loud alt-country band and was wondering what might maximize the output, without compromising the tone of the amp.

If I may make a suggestion...
Since you're looking for "loud, clean headroom..." I would suggest finding a higher powered amp.
Of course, exactly what "loud" is varies from room to room and band to band, but in my personal experience, 15-20 watt amps don't deliver "loud" and "clean headroom" at the same time. The exception to that rule could be the Deluxe Reverb, depending on your definition of clean.
Personally, I'd rather cart around a 30 watt 1x12 combo, rather than a 15 watt head and 1 or 2x12 cabinet. With 30 watts behind you, your speaker choices increase greatly, including the less efficient Jensen types and G12M style speakers that you probably couldn't get away with a 15 watter.
As always, YMMV.

[deeval]

I installed a JBL K120 in my Blues JR,and the amp gives me plenty of loud clean head and volume with no problems for gigs.

[Ocelot]

If I may make a suggestion...
Since you're looking for "loud, clean headroom..." I would suggest finding a higher powered amp.
Of course, exactly what "loud" is varies from room to room and band to band, but in my personal experience, 15-20 watt amps don't deliver "loud" and "clean headroom" at the same time. The exception to that rule could be the Deluxe Reverb, depending on your definition of clean.
Personally, I'd rather cart around a 30 watt 1x12 combo, rather than a 15 watt head and 1 or 2x12 cabinet. With 30 watts behind you, your speaker choices increase greatly, including the less efficient Jensen types and G12M style speakers that you probably couldn't get away with a 15 watter.
As always, YMMV.
Wes, it's a complicated scenario. lol. I got the head because it sounds great, but also because it's light enough (12lbs) to carry on the subway, as opposed to taking a cab back and forth from gigs, which costs $$. Most of the clubs we play have a backline 4X12 Marshall cab to plug into, which is fine. But some don't, so I was wondering if I got a small cab, which speaker would really maximize those 15 watts.

[rockon1]

I have a 15-watt Vox style head and am looking for loud, clean headroom, and preferably from as light a speaker as possible (I live in NYC and cart things around via subway and cab). I play in a fairly loud alt-country band and was wondering what might maximize the output, without compromising the tone of the amp.

A neo like the Emi Tonkerlite would be ideal if of coarse its sound suited your tastes. With a 101 sensitivity rating and only 4 lb weight its both light and loud! FWIW- Anything with 100db sensitivity ratings would maximize your wattage. Eminence seem to be some of the more efficient speakers out there. The ones Ive tried definately are. Unfortunately I cant say Ive stuck with any of them.

Hey if you could pick up or have a pine cab made and used a neo it would be amazingly light comparitively speaking. Bob

[Ocelot]

A neo like the Emi Tonkerlite would be ideal if of coarse its sound suited your tastes. With a 101 sensitivity rating and only 4 lb weight its both light and loud! FWIW- Anything with 100db sensitivity ratings would maximize your wattage. Eminence seem to be some of the more efficient speakers out there. The ones Ive tried definately are. Unfortunately I cant say Ive stuck with any of them.

Hey if you could pick up or have a pine cab made and used a neo it would be amazingly light comparitively speaking. Bob

Thanks, Bob. That's great info. I had no idea that Pine was a light wood. And I was just on the Eminence website reading about the Tonkerlite speaker. That, and the Weber Neomag.

[WesKuhnley]

Wes, it's a complicated scenario. lol. I got the head because it sounds great, but also because it's light enough (12lbs) to carry on the subway, as opposed to taking a cab back and forth from gigs, which costs $$. Most of the clubs we play have a backline 4X12 Marshall cab to plug into, which is fine. But some don't, so I was wondering if I got a small cab, which speaker would really maximize those 15 watts.

Like I said, these situations always have too many variables to deal with over the net. If you decided that you're going to go with a 1x12, find a driver with high sensitivity, 100+dB if you can. Your problem will lie then in weight, as most of those highly sensitive speakers require very large magnets. The exception being neo's which some like, and some hate.
I would suggest either one of Ted Weber's offerings, or the new Jensen neo's which I keep hearing rave reviews about.
Good luck finding something loud and portable!

[Ocelot]

You know I love living in NYC, but life was so much easier as a guitar player when I could throw my Twin or Blues Deluxe in the back of a Honda Civic! :)

[rockon1]

Thanks, Bob. That's great info. I had no idea that Pine was a light wood. And I was just on the Eminence website reading about the Tonkerlite speaker. That, and the Weber Neomag.

I know that Eminence ratings are seeminly fairly realistic. If they say its 101 db its loud with fairly little power input. weber doesnt give ratings for thiers that Ive found but perhaps you could call and ask. In order for your plan to work the speaker will need to be efficient.

I noticed Lopoline carries an affordable lightweight 1x12 cab. Lopo construction is good too. I own thier 2x12. Anyhow this cab is 12 lbs-loaded with a 4 lb neo it would only weight 16 lbs! Thats light!

http://www.lopoline.com/catalog/item/5403191/5358814.htm

HTH Bob

[Ocelot]

I know that Eminence ratings are seeminly fairly realistic. If they say its 101 db its loud with fairly little power input. weber doesnt give ratings for thiers that Ive found but perhaps you could call and ask. In order for your plan to work the speaker will need to be efficient.

I noticed Lopoline carries an affordable lightweight 1x12 cab. Lopo construction is good too. I own thier 2x12. Anyhow this cab is 12 lbs-loaded with a 4 lb neo it would only weight 16 lbs! Thats light!

http://www.lopoline.com/catalog/item/5403191/5358814.htm

HTH Bob

Wow! That's crazy-light for a cab.

[teleman55]

I got a Lopo 1x12 cab. It's well made and light. Any speaker that's really about 100 or above eff. will max your available loudness. Eminence has a bunch. Just pick the one that sounds best for you and also watch the different weights of the speakers. In Illinois there is a store where you can try all the Eminence speakers with your amp. Maybe there's one out there too. I remember when I was younger hauling stuff around Chicago via el, subway, cab and bus. It was especially nice in January or at 4:00 am in a bad neighborhood. I don't miss that.

[rockon1]

Wow! That's crazy-light for a cab.

Just remember to look for thier lightweight model not thier regular 1x12 model if you choose to order one. Bob

[donnyjaguar]

Efficient speakers have stronger magnets, lighter coil assemblies and larger cone diameters.

No need to over complicate things here! ;)