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Non ADA Gear => Speakers & Cabinets => Topic started by: Dante on June 17, 2016, 12:01:30 PM

Title: 4 ohm load into a 16 ohm speaker
Post by: Dante on June 17, 2016, 12:01:30 PM
Hi Guys,

I have recently acquired a small 1x12 combo Marshall and I'm considering swapping out the (4 ohm) G12m-70 Celestion for a V-type I found on Craigslist. The one thing I wonder about is, the speaker i'm looking at is a 16 ohm, intended to be used in a 2x12 to achieve an 8 ohm load. (I'm assuming the amp pushes a 4 ohm load because of the stock speaker) I know my amp will be fine going into a 16 ohm load with the 4 ohm load it sends, but my question is, will the 16 ohm speaker be less articulate?

I have plugged into 8 ohm cabs with a 4 ohm amp before and the amp seems to really get them to come alive, I'm wondering if that will happen with this combo and a 16 ohm speaker, or if it'll have the opposite effect?

Dante
Title: Re: 4 ohm load into a 16 ohm speaker
Post by: MarshallJMP on June 17, 2016, 12:16:39 PM
I don't think sound wise it will change anything but you will loose a lot of output power. You will have 25% of the original power.
Title: Re: 4 ohm load into a 16 ohm speaker
Post by: Kim on June 17, 2016, 12:36:34 PM
You definitely don't want to go the other way though...putting a 4 ohm speaker on an 8 or 16 ohm amp would be ugly.
Title: Re: 4 ohm load into a 16 ohm speaker
Post by: Dante on June 17, 2016, 01:07:12 PM
I don't think sound wise it will change anything but you will loose a lot of output power. You will have 25% of the original power.
That is not good...although it's loud, it's only 30w. Hmpf

You definitely don't want to go the other way though...putting a 4 ohm speaker on an 8 or 16 ohm amp would be ugly.
I know that part, never try to force a firehose into a garden hose.  :thumb-up:
Title: Re: 4 ohm load into a 16 ohm speaker
Post by: GuitarBuilder on June 17, 2016, 01:51:22 PM
Which amp are you thinking of using?
Title: Re: 4 ohm load into a 16 ohm speaker
Post by: Dante on June 17, 2016, 02:04:23 PM
Which amp are you thinking of using?
The one mentioned here: NAD!! Marshall 5010 Master Lead Combo (http://adadepot.com/index.php?topic=1521.0)

Since the stock speaker is a 4 ohm, I have to assume the amp puts out 4 ohms, but I haven't confirmed that.  I did find a schematic: HERE (http://www.drtube.com/schematics/marshall/5010.gif)


If only I could read such things ;) haha
Title: Re: 4 ohm load into a 16 ohm speaker
Post by: MarshallJMP on June 17, 2016, 03:12:44 PM
Well next to the speaker symbol it says 12" 4 ohm  :lol:
Title: Re: 4 ohm load into a 16 ohm speaker
Post by: Dante on June 17, 2016, 04:02:33 PM
LOL! I saw that, and just next to that it says 100 ohm! AH!

I found a pic online of the back panel, it says "this apparatus must be earthed" I think my apparatus must be earthed  >:D

It also says: 30 Watt RMS / 4 ohm

and...Risk Of Shock, Do Not Open
Title: Re: 4 ohm load into a 16 ohm speaker
Post by: tomy on June 17, 2016, 04:15:24 PM
Well... Risk of shock ; I'm sure that you DID open   >:D
Title: Re: 4 ohm load into a 16 ohm speaker
Post by: Kim on June 17, 2016, 09:14:54 PM
I think the Celestion V Type is my new favorite guitar speaker(s).   Hope you like it as much as I do! 
Title: Re: 4 ohm load into a 16 ohm speaker
Post by: rnolan on June 18, 2016, 05:38:18 AM
Hey Dante, as MJMP says you'll get around 25% of the power into 16 ohms.  However, 16 ohm speakers are typically  more sensitive, responsive and efficient than the lower impedance varieties which will off set this a bit.
Title: Re: 4 ohm load into a 16 ohm speaker
Post by: Dante on June 18, 2016, 08:18:29 AM
Kim: I've read really great things about them. I may pull the trigger on a new 8 ohm version (they only come in 8 and 16)

Richard: Since I'd be cutting my ohm load in half, I guess I'd get a bit of that sensitivity with the 8 ohm as well (?)

As loud as this little combo is, I think it'd be okay for mic'ing, even at half power. I'm not totally against the sound I'm getting, I haven't had enough time to really play around with it. But, I do have a bias for the speaker that's in it, I'm not a fan.