What are some really IN-efficient speakers?

[Roe]

my plan is to use a scumback M 65w - it's 97-96db, but a beam blocker and thick grill cloth in a closed 1x12 cab should help keep the volume down too

Originally Posted by mad dog

My favorites so far are the old Jensen C12PS ceramics. Not a big magnet. Not tremendously loud, but what a sweet sound. I've played a few older Gretsch amps with angelic tone, due to two of these. I do have one now in an old Magnatone. Much as I love how it sounds, I'm trying out a CRex in there to make it more stage worthy.

I happen to have a Gretsch 6159 Dual Bass from the mid-60's with Jensen C12R's and they compress and overdrive at verrrrry low volume. It is verrrry nice and ineffecient.

[wopr]

This is a great topic . . .what other Weber 12' speakers are inefficient. Is anything under 100 db considered inefficient?

Thanks,

steve

[Roe]

the 50w alnico blue dog and silver bell aint loud

[Southbay Ampworks]

Originally Posted by TimH

G12-65's are rated at 96db aren't they? That'd qualify them

97db for the G12-65. G12M Reissues are 98 db. Heritage G12M 20 watters are 96 db.
Heritage G12-65 spec sheet:
http://professional.celestion.com/gu...spec.asp?ID=32
Classic G12M Reissue spec sheet:
http://professional.celestion.com/gu.../spec.asp?ID=6

[atomicmassunit]

My favorite is the Jensen Vibranto (C12RS?). Very low volume, sweet breakup.

[troublehead]

I really like the cheap Celestion V12-60. I think its 96db. Very smooth, dark, and takes the top end fizz off of high gain amps.

[Rod]

I used to run a Gauss 12" speaker with my Jim Kelley amp, and that speaker was incredibily inefficient...Wish I still had it...I think it was also a Bass speaker, and it weighed a ton

[1964]

> "Is anything under 100 db considered inefficient?"

<RANT ON>

Sorry guys, but it seems there might have been too much holiday season smoking of the wacky tobaccy going on...or, just maybe my concepts of low and even moderate listening levels are from another planet...

Until the release of the "new" Eminence range, only a few years ago, the 100dB Celestion Blue was generally considered about as efficient as it got (apart from some of the out-of-production JBL monsters). And none of the speakers being mentioned herein would have been characterised as inefficient.

While, playing a small tube amp through a 103dB speaker might do wonders for its potential gig-ability, I'm afraid that when it comes to taming a powerful amp in order that you can push the power tubes at low-moderate volumes, you've got to play it through more inefficient speakers than 96dB! The main reason the likes Fender Champs sound small, is not the low watt rating, but the seriously inefficient and tiny speakers!

Examples of what are arguably only moderately powerful amps by today's standards that are sold with relatively inefficient 95dB speakers (Jensen P10Rs), which you still wouldn’t sensibly crank in the house, or even at a small-medium venue, include: Fender's 45W 1965 Super Reverb and 1959 Bassman LTD reissues.

Speakers like the Jensen P12R (93.6dB), C12R (93.8), C12Q (93.9), and MOD12-50 (94.3), just might start reining in a powerful amp enough to facilitate some significantly reduced volumes when moderately cranked.

So, to answer the question; IMHO, anyone who might consider anything under 100dB inefficient, either needs to get off the crack or out of the 1970s. Maybe it’s little wonder that there are a seemingly ever-increasing number of venues that prohibit real amps, because it seems too many real amp owners are out of the real world.

YMMV, and all that.

<RANT OFF>

[slider313]

Originally Posted by atomicmassunit

My favorite is the Jensen Vibranto (C12RS?). Very low volume, sweet breakup.

I believe the Vibranto's are a higher wattage, more efficent version of the C12P.

[CarlH]

Originally Posted by 1964

So, to answer the question; IMHO, anyone who might consider anything under 100dB inefficient, either needs to get off the crack or out of the 1970s.

Don't you mean anyone who considers anything over 100dB to be inefficient ...

I would not consider any speaker over 100dB to be inefficient. In fact, the Jensens you pointed out are my idea of inefficient, and sadly there are not many choices in the low 90dB.

[Boogs]

The majority of speakers available today are 100-102db efficient. People use the term in a relative way, which makes sense.

Also, criticizing people for wondering whether a 98db speaker will make a difference compared to a 103db speaker is neither necessary or constructive. While neither are inefficient in terms of the history of guitar speakers, it WILL make a difference to the user in question.

[1964]

> "Don't you mean anyone who considers anything over 100dB to be inefficient ..."

No, though I admit "anything" is somewhat misleading, but it's how the question was framed.

[1964]

> "The majority of speakers available today are 100-102db efficient."

Really??!!

[1964]

Originally Posted by Boogs

Also, criticizing people for wondering whether a 98db speaker will make a difference compared to a 103db speaker is neither necessary or constructive. While neither are inefficient in terms of the history of guitar speakers, it WILL make a difference to the user in question.

I guess this is aimed at me? If so, I didn't criticise anyone for wondering.

dk_ace, the thread starter, posted:

"We are always talking about good effecient speakers. It's great that they can get so loud with so little power, but what about speakers that you can feed a lot of power and they don't get very loud? I know this is exactly the opposite of what most people are looking for, but do they exist? There seem to be a lot of people looking for low volume options, so I thought this might be a cool thread to keep a list of speakers that aren't loud. I don't even know if there are any quality speakers in this category, but it's a cool idea." (emphasis mine)

IMHO, if one were to suggest that a 98dB speaker meets these requirements, that would be ludicrous, but your mileage obviously varies. Yes, it'll make a difference, but will not deliver what's being asked. Sorry if you feel I'm not being constructive, but my mileage varies. And I guess the way I framed it didn't come across as I intended.