Need an honest opinion

Robert Thomas · Post by **Robert Thomas** » 26 Jul 2005 11:54 am

I have been using 2 speaker cabinets with 2-12" Jensen speakers in each cabinet for over 30 years now. If I play with one speaker cabinet only it just doesn't sound right to me anymore. I do a strictly single act and I like the fullness of sound that 2 cabinets give me. Don't equate fullness with loudness.
My question is: If I build another cabinet and use 3 speakers in just one cabinet, other than making the one cabinet heavier, would it work wiring 3-12" speakers in series? The speakers are 16 ohm speakers. I am trying to retain most of my fullness of sound and reduce having to handle 2 cabinets to just one cabinet even though it will be heavier, it is on casters anyway.
I am using a Peavey MP-600 Amp Head.
Your input will be valued and very much appreciated.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 26 Jul 2005 2:11 pm

Three 16 ohm speakers in series would not work (48 ohms).
In parallel they would work (5.3 ohms) but might not sound better than the two speaker setup.

Robert Thomas · Post by **Robert Thomas** » 26 Jul 2005 2:51 pm

What if I use 4 speakers in the same box, wired parallel?

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 26 Jul 2005 3:04 pm

Robert, (4),16 ohm speakers in parallel will have an impedance of 4 ohms. If your amp will drive a 4 ohm load, you are in business.

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 26 Jul 2005 7:57 pm

Gibson made an Amp. years ago w/3x10”s I think. I never understood why (3)!

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“Big John” Bechtel
’04 SD–10 Black Derby w/3 & 5 & Pad
’49-’50 Fender T–8 Custom
’65 Re-Issue Fender Twin–Reverb Custom™ 15” Eminence
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Roger Kelly · Post by **Roger Kelly** » 27 Jul 2005 7:56 am

Robert....if it were me, I would try using just one 12" speaker in each cabinet that you now have. And since you say that they are 16 ohm each, I would wire the two individual 12" speakers, one from each cabinet, in parallel so I would have 8 ohms total. This way you can try out 2 cabinets with one speaker each, to see if they will give you close to that fuller sound that you want. If it does, remove a 12" speaker from each cabinet and you will have less weight and it hasn't cost you any money. The MP-600 is rated 85 watts @ 4 ohms and 55 watts @ 8 ohms, so you may be able to get some idea of what you are looking for even though the wattage (55 Watts @8 ohms) will not be optimum for the Amp head. If 2 12 " speakers seems to improve the situation I would seriously think about building or modifying the cabinets and install 1 Peavey 1501-8 in EACH cabinet, wired in parallel to give you 4 ohms total, for optimum performance of your Amplifier/Mixer. 2 15" Cabinets can give you a very BIG Sound.
It seems to me that you will have some difficulity in utilizing what you now have since all 4 of the speakers are 16 ohm, to get what you want....Big Sound....Less Weight.

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 27 Jul 2005 10:19 am

Fender's old tweed Bandmaster amp also had three 10" speakers.

Robert Thomas · Post by **Robert Thomas** » 28 Jul 2005 3:48 am

Close this topic, I got my answer and thank everyone for their response, as usual there is no place like the Forum.