High vs Low Power Guitar Speakers & How To Decide Which Is Best For You

[@NewPraetorianBlues]

Its crazy how obvious it is that speakers changing would be the biggest change to tone but us guitarists tend to instead faff about pickups and tone caps first and foremost.

[@TwangThang57]

I’ve been running a 30w Ceramic Weber Blue Dog in a 22w ‘82 “Rivera era” Princeton Reverb II for many years. When I installed that speaker I wanted a bit more mid-range crunchy/ wooly tone and earlier breakup. I was very happy with the Weber for the 7 or 8 years it was in that amp. Recently, just for fun, I switched out the Blue Dog for a 75w WGS Retro 30. The amp came alive with all the clean and sparkly blackface tone I had forsaken. The WGS has found a permanent home in that amp.

[@thallrudedjentstorm1756]

I have 10 inch Jensen in tandem with a Greenback. Best decision ever. I'm running a JTM btw...

[@shorerocks]

This is excellent, thx. I am playing semi-pro for +35 years, I can only agree. Great video.

[@CraigFlowersMusic]

Coincidentally, I was just earlier playing the EV sro12 Coffee Cans that are in my blackface twin, but I unplugged them from the twin and pushed them with the Vibro Champ Reverb which I actually have a WGS veteran 10 in. The Veteran 10 is 20 watts at I think 94dB efficiency, and the Coffee Cans are I think 120 watts at 103.2dB efficiency, so I expected them to make the Champ sound yuge. Instead it seems they need a bit more than 5 watts to wake them up. Dull and lifeless, I quickly plugged back in to the v10 and got back my top end. So yes, turns out it might be possible in some cases to underpower a speaker. Of course if you know anything about those speakers you'll know they have the biggest magnet ever, so it stands to reason not many other speakers will have as much trouble getting moving, so it's a bit of an outlier in context. But still, just throwing that out there since you said you haven't ever had that happen and I just experienced it about half-an-hour ago LOL Have a good one!

[@DMSProduktions]

Nice! I prefer the clarity & punch of higher powered speakers!

[@dostacos1]

Love the comparison, this is totally something I hadn’t thought of before. Different strokes for different folks, it’s nice that there are options! I love speaker cabs with multiple speakers, you can really mix and match and mix whichever speaker fits the situation.

[@caseykittel]

Yes! Thank you for this. Really great demo. People just don’t realize how different speakers can be.

[@Cheguebuddha]

Thanks to this video I decided to buy the Jensen P12R and I could not be happier for low-volume playing in the studio and at home! Such great tone on low volume wothout any overdrives needed to create a nice tone! Thank you!

[@goodbyepolarbears172]

Truth. I've heard 'em! 😊

[@MrRonnmaui]

Great video! I am so glad you clarified this. I was thinking of getting a speaker cabinet for a 12" and find an amp head to for my personal home use. Lower watt sounds so much warmer. This really helps.

[@beatbaker7420]

jensen c12q if you ask me, sounds great

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Most important , make shure the speakers basket or magnet does'nt knock into the out-put transforner or any valves etc. Check out the dimensions so you don't end up with a speaker that does'nt want to fit in the combo amp..other wise get a little cab that will make it easier to try out different designs etc.

[@mojekh]

With which amp/speaker combo did it happened to you?

[@ataraxia4526]

I replaced the V30 speaker in Orange PPC112 cabinet with C12Q-16 and I like it. Keeping the cabinet open backed.

[@rustystove8410]

😀😃😇🥰😍🤩💯. Jensen C12N for me! Never again with Celestion!

[@chilidogcowboy]

Super resourceful video sir! Thanks!

[@mikeenos4040]

I like used high power speakers that have been broken in by high volume playing from much larger amps , they sound the best when put in low power amps . They are not stiff anymore and punchy...... That's the way to go. Also when using boost or distortion pedals they sound better because they don't get muddy of poop out at higher volumes . On the other hand if your playing a bedroom levels and not slamming the front end with pedals then low wattage is fine.

[@MrWumbologist]

Great video Michael! I think I reached the opposite conclusion and I really hate speaker distortion! I definitely preferred the high power speaker in every A/B you did, and will bear that in mind in my next purchase

[@McSlobo]

It depends on. Some sound good but most definitely not. Usually it sounds like adding farts on top of your guitar, in rare cases it adds to the tone. The worst example is the too overdriven rock'n'roll borderline metal tone in which the cone starts to distort in some specific frequency that doesn't follow the melody. That's awful, one could just add constant frequency power tool sounds on the track to get the same effect. Those higher power speakers distort too but it's the kind of distortion says I've got the power, and the distortion follows the music. I suggest playing these lower power speakers with lower power so that they don't distort.

[@noahbenson585]

*babe wake up mike banfield just uploaded*

[@jasujokelainen5073]

Very original 😊.

[@Yamallama585]

Weirdo

[@AuntAlnico4]

😂 Yeah ok ...

[@heyjarrod]

They just jealous you got a girl in bed. 👆🏻🤣

[@UseTheSupeRsonic]

Low-powered speakers a LITTLE lighter than the high-powered and not as light as Neodymium? My friend, meet my Jensen Mod 12-35s! They're barely 3lbs. Most Neos hover between 4 or 5 lbs. I think the G12-Ls, Rocket 50s and Midnight 60s are all about 4lbs as well. And a lot of them sound great, even for high gain. My only issue with low-powered speakers is their projection, obviously. When you go to mic a low-efficiency speaker, you hear more artifacts coming from the room---the speaker cab, the room's reverb, pick noise, etc. There's less isolation of the speaker to the mic. This can be of benefit if the style you're playing makes sense to have a lot of room sound, but for what I do, I need that dry tone. If you wanna mic up a low efficiency speaker, you either have to turn em up really loud, or you'll have to insulate the crap out of the environment you have the cab in, so it's as bone dry as possible.

[@Unusednickname_1970]

Great, informative video! I think experimenting with speakers is time and money well spent. They make a huge difference. This video confirms two things for me. 1. I really don’t care for the Jensen C12K and 2. The Celestion G12M Greenback is a fantastic speaker with British-voiced amps. :)

[@thorinbane]

C12R in my traynor ygm3(its a studio mate, but pretty much the same) changed the tone completely. It is now very very chimey. Love the cleans on it. Though playing it with a greenback ext cab sounded great too.

[@rhesreeves5339]

Hendrix went from clean to way beyond speaker failure with the volume knob especially live and I miss when you just played stacks and had them on 11 because there was no guitar in the PA even at big gigs and it was expensive but you had to provide your own volume and stuff broke MAGICALLY. Mississippi Queen sounds like The Earth is blowing up, I love it. I like some speaker failure or even an amp on it's last leg. It's why I can't get plug-ins or multi effects to be truly real because I want the real sound of it breaking and it won't. Same thing I hate about Pro tools in general. Everything's in tune, perfectly in time..I don't think Chuck Berry or Hendrix would sound good in tune or time. VERY useful video sir. I just am trying out some gifted speakers that are higher watt and this really helped me understand and mainly hear the difference. Thanks. I've watched a few videos now, Keep it up.

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

Hey thanks for the kind words! I know what you mean about plug-ins, they certainly have their uses but I do struggle sometimes with digital amps and things

[@adamwatson6916]

I love both low power and high power speakers . I used to prefer the lower power vintage style Speakers particularly G12H30s . But lately I am liking higer power Speakers in the 60 to 80 watt range even for vintage sounds . I have even been using 60 to 80 watt with my T watt amps and they sound great . I like the cleaner less compressed tone . I really like higher power speakers that Use the medium sized M magnets like the Creamback M65 the G1265 and the lynchback speaker which is a 50 watt G12M speaker . The high Powered M speakers are the best of both worlds . You get modern power handling with loads of G12M Greenback character.

[@steffenbrix]

Very useful comparisons! 👍 (except the direct sounds)

[@csj9619]

I'm of the mind the biggest difference in tone comes from the speaker, not amp, not guitar pickups, etc. Try for yourself if you read this and say BS. Being a metal/high-gain kinda feller, some of my favorites are: DV77 Mick Thompson 12" by Eminence, Vintage 30 12" Celestion, Private Jack by Eminence (British-voiced 12"). For budget pick, a Rocket 50 (Celestion) doesn't suck.

[@jamieconnock.stuffilike.1727]

Awesome vid. I'm just building a cab for a 15 watt EVH lunchbox head and thought that the two 75 watt Eminence Dimebag speakers would be too much. Now i'll do it with confidence, especially as i'll be gigging with it. Thanks!

[@td7426]

I've always liked the sound of a 25 watt greenback the best

[@lagosis]

Michael, You're really doing great job with this videos. I have learned lots of things by you.

[@ProjectNarrowboat]

Yep - the speaker is by far the biggest colouration of sound in the chain. Ok maybe not as much as an fx pedal - but compared to the amp or guitar or pickups the speakers make a lot of difference. I've used the same set of greenbacks nearly my whole life so I just stick with 'em.

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

Agreed, the speaker is the thing that's creating the physical sound waves you're listening to so it has the final say on your tone. Greenbacks are absolutely classic, if they're working for you then no need to go down the rabbit hole of all the different speakers available these days. Just have fun playing those greenbacks!

[@rustystove8410]

It took me decades to find out movie soundtracks such as Good Bad and Ugly used Jensen C12N. Celestion Blue, various telecasters, amplifiers, and graphic equalizers did not even come close.

[@georgefromgreece4119]

​@@rustystove8410Huge surf and spaghetti western fan here,yeah it's true

[@yaniv-nos-tubes]

swap your v1 preamp tube to a vintage mullard and experience the second most important part, ok maybe the third after pickups...

[@garymoore1567]

Your videos are very educational and enlightening!

[@ericv7720]

I have a 90s- vintage Carvin MTS3212 100W combo. It has a pair of Carvin BR12 speakers, which are OEM Eminence GB128's, which in turn are 100w Greenback clones. At lower volumes, they are really dark and clean. When I dial back the gain and crank the volume, they really open up give that "crang" that British-style speakers are known for!

[@mojekh]

Amazing lesson and comparison on speakers! Many thanks for that! For me it is always connection between amp and the speaker. For example, I have changed C12Q to C12N in my 64 Custom DR, wanting more sensitivity and less treble. However, I found out the higher sensitivity made me decrease the volume of the amp which (in the case of DR) increases high frequencies and lowers the speaker distortion. So I am putting C12Q back and rather live with lower volume, but sound with lower treble and speaker breakup...and lighter combo 🙂

[@BlackDotPatrick]

This helps remind me that I probably prefer high watt speakers. Thanks.

[@ROOKTABULA]

My first edition Peavy 5150 4x12 slant cab with Ed's chosen 60w 5150 labelled Sheffield speaks. LOVE it still. (Even if it did show up with a dead XLR in)

[@scotturnquist1240]

Great info for me to upgrade. Thanks so much for doing this.

[@CharlesSummers-d1v]

Great comparison and thanks for sharing. Having been a guitar player since the early 1970’s, I’ve constantly looked for sound or tonal differences between speakers, guitars, pickups, etc… I’ve got a 5E3 clone that not only sounds great, but is an electronic work of art. It has a Weber speaker in it that I think is well suited for it..however, I do have a BOSS Katana 100w that I would like to change speakers in. Being a non-tube amp though, I wonder just how many RMI watts that it really is? I would love to put a 35w Jensen on it. What do you think? Thanks much, Guitar player in Georgia - USA.

[@saulpaul4240]

Thanks for doing that!!! Excellent tutorial too. Wayne

[@kurtweiand7086]

Very good vidio, thanks, l learned something from you!

[@LockRocker]

Understood. I'll get the Creambacks as planned.

[@keithcarter9396]

Another good upload Michael, I enjoy your channel, you provide down-to-earth comparison content that I find interesting. I am a tragic serial modder that needs to change manufacturer spec gear to something that works better for my ears, Speakers are one of these options and I have seen some strong upgrades that have pleased me. ihave

[@garygratzer9670]

That was a refreshingly great video about speaker character.

[@jotunbjorn]

Very nice, I'm surprised how much more distortion there is on the lower wattage ones.

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

Yeah, I was too. Seems to be typical of how they behave, high power speakers get cleaner and louder. Good if you want a bit more headroom from an amp. Thanks for commenting

[@DOCKent-3339]

I like ceramic and AlNiCo. I prefer AlNiCo. I like 10's and 12's. 10's for punching through and definition. 12's for controlled feedback.

[@border2beachwithchipleach63]

4X10”. 25 watt Jensons in my Super and 4x10” 30 watt special design speakers in my hot rod Deville.

[@jockster5525]

I have the 4x10 Mesa boogie, Jensen 25 watt speakers ..I absolutely love this amp , never found anything to come close . 45 watt combo is the best

[@grantgardner7930]

Excellent explanation about tone and wattage of speakers. It would be helpful if there was some more detail about the power handling ability and wattage. In other words, when do you need to be careful about breaking a speaker, depending on the wattage of the speaker and the amp.

[@jordangibson695]

Jensen C12N.....the old ones. Don't be afraid of re-cones

[@paullee3660]

Great video. Thanks. I was really interested in hearing the greenback and creamback. I was trying to decide between 2 greens or one cream for my 20watt Marshall heads. Not sure if one 25 watt speaker would have been enough for a 20 watt head. Not much wriggle room.

[@CleberHarrisonGuitar]

Great video! Learned a lot from it. Thanks ever so much!

[@chrispygingerpie]

To me the creamback is a blend of the GB and V30, just has slightly tighter mods.

[@adrianmolinamusic]

Thanks Michael for sharing such a cool video! I have a Deluxe Reverb 65 Reissue with the stock Jensen C12K (100w) and I can't turn it to more than 4 for gigs and rehearsals so I'm thinking of swapping the speaker for a C12Q (35w) or a C12N (50w) so I can get to the edge of breakup at lower volumes. Which one do you think is better for that, I'm also worried that the C12Q (35w) is going to be too low and over time it will break... Thanks in advance!

[@tituschalk]

Really helpful thanks!

[@Sven_Guitar]

Hi Michael, Thanks for the great video! I also like the 65W Creamback that I installed in my Blues Deluxe. Now I have the bass under control, I have lots of mids and the harsh treble problem is gone. I played this amp for years with a Jensen C12N, but the midscoop started to annoy me. It's gone now. I installed the Jensen in my small Tube15 (Monoprice) amp. This amp is very easy to play in the crunch range, unlike the Blues Deluxe. Would a 25W Greenback be a good choice here? Or do you have other ideas for a soft, creamy crunch sound without losing the clear, overtone-rich clean sound??? Thanks and cheers Sven!

[@musicadeltubo5230]

Nice video, thanks! What about mixing low with high wattage speakers in one cab? Do you think is possible to achieve some good mix of both worlds? Or it's better keeping those two words separated?

[@jimideez9829]

not recommended unless you play to the low ones limit.

[@kyledonworth3845]

Lovely video this, very helpful

[@adamwatson6916]

Lower powered speakers don't always have lighter Magnets . G12H 30 Watt speakers have the Same size magnet as most higher wattage speakers. The G12K100 The Redback 150 Creamback H 75 watts and Vintage 30 have the same 50 Oz magnet as the G12H30 .

[@rigorhead01]

Imo, Fender puts high wattage speakers in their '65 Reissue series because they know that people are going to run the amps really hard for that Vintage tone/breakup. I like to run my Deluxe Reverb's volume on 5 when I can. I'm actually unable to very often because it's LOUD!

[@houseofshred3725]

Fantastic video!

[@AuntAlnico4]

😂 I have chewed up and broken a few Jensen speakers as they dry out and break around the cube edge since they don't have any doping around the speaker. They just crumble around the very outer edge since they are just paper with no rubber glue "doping" so maybe Jensen can come up with a real thin doping for the edges of their cones in order to keep them together and maybe keep the sound original.

[@ebikes2xs159]

Now I'm wondering about efficiency and what role that plays. I assumed you needed a hi-powered amp for hi-power speakers. This is a rabbit hole but I'm starting to understand it a little better thanks to videos like this. I'm looking for clean tone and headroom. Hi-power and hi efficiency is what I want? Are there efficiency ratings for speakers?

[@jimideez9829]

yup.

[@davengg8467]

How do the 65 watt creamback compare to the 75 watt creamback

[@Mike_HuntizWet]

About 10 watts

[@yaniv-nos-tubes]

love the 90w celestion alnico cream on everything, and also old mullard and rca preamp tubes at v1 . enjoy!

[@tedrobinson3802]

I don't understand the concern for low wattage speaker with hi wattage amps. At 1 watt your speaker is putting out almost 100db. It doesn't matter what wattage your amp is.

[@they_arent_human]

Good chance of blowing the speaker maybe?

[@MakerMark13]

I’m currently struggling to stay with 2x12 greenbacks that I love the sound but I fear when having to take away my 1x12 extension speaker and only playing the combo amp on it own, the 20watts overwhelms the single greenback, what happens when say out a creamback in the combo for those moments and keep the greenback in the extension box? Mixing the wattages and speaker types?

[@eoinjennings519]

Really interesting and useful

[@binface9]

Great video Michael! I put Celestion Redback in my 1980s Laney Combo. I had been using a 30 watt G12H in that amp but I was paranoid I would blow it as the amp driving it is 65 watts. It definitely has the Greenback flavour-profile but natural cone breakup isn't part of my tone so I cannot attest to how it performs on that front.

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

Good to see you in the comments as always! Thanks for sharing the info on the Redback. Sounds like a cool speaker, I seem to like most of Celestions newer designs. Yeah, a wise move to get a higher power speaker for that amp.

[@southernpride2003]

​​​@@MichaelBanfieldGuitar howdy from North Carolina I play country and rockabilly and bluegrass and blues will a 100w speaker also be great for playing loud cleans I have a RCA 12AU7 tube in the preamp I only play clean My style is more like Luther Perkins I want my clean tone to be louder

[@sparkyguitar0058]

Doesn't it depend on what's powering the speaker as much. For example using my Boogie 60 watts . Comes with a 200 watt 12L speaker. But if I use a 70/ 80 Celesion I got in a cab which should handle 60 watts, I know it wouldn't be as clear and clean. But if I use the little Hotone Mojo Diamond head into my 12L speaker it would be clear but hard to overdrive without any pedals.

[@abteenz]

Does installing a lower power speaker helps playing a tube amp at manageable volumes at home?

[@Brankas]

Yes!

[@MICHAELGIDDEN123]

So if I throw a high powered (100w) speaker in my deluxe reverb reissue, it should essentially help me gain headroom? I just need my amp to be louder but I don’t want any breakup.

[@MICHAELGIDDEN123]

Wait, just saw the part of the video where you show the 100w in the reissue already 😂 What’s my best option to get louder?

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

Generally I'd say yes, but the difference can be subtle. If you just need a small amount of extra headroom then yes, normally a higher rated speaker will help you do that. The sensitivity rating is useful to look at, the higher the db the more clean volume and headroom you'll likely be able to get. Hope that helps!

[@wrongchordsrecords]

very educational thanks . i dont think high rated speakers sound that good although they might be more convenient for gigs , the vintage 30 at 65w is the only one ive personally played that i like and anything above that ive sold on or thrown away.

[@rigorhead01]

What is your favorite speaker for a Deluxe Reverb?

[@dannyjesse3655]

I remember being ***~BEWILDERED~*** by how clean my guitar was when gig logistics demanded my head be run thru a large 4x12 instead of a 1x12💀 I was terrified, i was confused, i kinda got why people lug those things around 😏

[@williamhawkins69]

Excellent vid

[@djabthrash]

Great video

[@MohaveJoe]

I have a HRD with 50w Celestion A. Not loving it. Looking at Swamp Thang at 150 w. I want a clean foundation first.

[@chocolatecookie8571]

There are too many choices nowadays for literally everything, from guitars, picks, strings, cables, amps, speakers, you name it. In the past life was much easier because there weren't many options available. In psychology people actually don't like so many options and choices. It gives us stress.

[@rustystove8410]

You video video with the Jensen and Celestions got me interested in Jensens, Then I saw the video with that Christan Kohler, or whatever his name is, and the Jensen guy from Italy. My comment is basically Jensen = 😍and Celestion = 😡. LOL!

[@jasondorsey7110]

Both have their uses, but...Electro-Voice speakers are good in just about anything

[@EWT423]

everybody plays a SV20H.......me 2. It helps a lot, when the equipment used in the video is achievable for everybody, so everybody can reproduce the sounds in the video. Nothing sucks more than a dude shows off his Dumble with his original Klon and a Paoletti Custom-Strat talking about differences in tone and must haves. These kind of video reminds me of Jim Lill, another Dude on Yt who does super nice comparisons like this one.

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

Yeah I'm loving the SV20H, I've always wanted a Marshall plexi style amp but just couldn't justify the price and size format of a 100w SLP into 4x12. SV20H has plenty of power and volume for me through a nice oversized closed back 2x12 with greenbacks. I've done some more recording with it recently and the only issue was that the sheer power in the sound causes my camera to shake even though it's on a the other side of the room on a professional tripod...it probably makes me like it even more.

[@westinclinard8189]

I recently traded for the SV20 with matching 2x12.. won’t ever get rid of that amp!!!

[@drewg3087]

Great comparison and demo, one of the best I’ve found on YT. Thanks. I have a 5e3 Dlux with an Alnico Blue and a ‘68 Custom Deluxe Reverb with a 150w Celestion Redback. It’s mean and can go clean. Both great sounds and worlds different

[@sgt.grinch3299]

This is why 40 watt Amps are the sweet spot. Loud enough to play with a band and the ability to get all the nuisance.

[@vincentl.9469]

most retailers wont let you return speakers ..you have to trial & error. Not cheap but that's how it is ...

[@corpsie666]

If you listen to Sunn o))) CD's at concert volumes, you can hear the cone cry in the mix

[@dt9r]

jeez, I had to see this video three months ago when I bought my 12" speaker for my modded Princeton, I'd have bought the Q or even the R instead of the N

[@MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

Well the C12N is still a great speaker. On the upside, the Q and R are both cheaper if you do decide you want to try the lower powered equivalents.

[@dt9r]

I finally got a C12Q and I'm fine with that, not mid scooped like the N, not starving on bass like the R, very fendery and easy to get in breakup zone, you were right , thank you

[@johnpandolfino8663]

Tone Tubby 😊

[@eze8024]

Just slap 2 greenbacks and 2 creambacks in a 4x12 cab. Good to go 🤣

[@marcospintor1333]

Bro i think we have the exact same guitars in the exact same color 💀 A white blonde Mexican classic Telecaster (with the top hat tip switch to make it look more period correct) And a Les Paul Traditional in honey burst If that’s not exactly what you have then oops But if yes then 😂💀💀

[@darwinsaye]

And then there is playing a guitar amp into bass speakers…

[@DoradaSessions]

jajajaja Banfield sos una estacion

[@ironmaiden5658]

I had a shot for every time you said a cliche.. Didn't make it past 3 minutes. I have a 412A Kustom cab with Celestion Super 65s. They're fully sick.

[@C_Moore]

I never liked the sound of Jensen speakers. They always sounded harsh and fizzy.

[@fahey5719]

You talk too much and demo very little. Suggest you invert the equation.

[@kazkylheku1221]

Disappointing video; doesn't cover 200W and up speakers.