Is there a way to measure speaker sensitivity?

PS - if you try to measure, I think the criteria I was recalling is 1000 hz at 1 watt, at a distance of 1 meter on axis. However, as someone pointed out, there are different ways to measure. I just read its common to measure at a range of frequencies, then average. Eminence does the average across the usable frequency range, at 1 watt at 1 meter on axis.

Oh well, unless you have a teen that needs a science project, its a little involved..

 

Ha! Though my membership says 2009, I've really only started posting recently with the acquisition of a beautiful Tele. As the new kid in town, I thought I'd give Jakedog the credit for not being as absent-minded as I am. Nice to know we have a couple things in common!

 

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I was first going to suggest digging around Johan Segeborn's youtube channel.
He has a lot of demo tests of speakers, cabinets, and more.
I'd suggest even try emailing him. He's an automotive engineer by day (Volvo, I think) so he will have more science based answers for you. If he doesn't know right away I suspect he will make effort toward what you want and perhaps put a new video up for himself in the process.

You don't really need speaker efficiency, that's one path, but there are others ... the real problem is you need your amp to be louder.

My first thought is to make an external cabinet (yourself) with 2x10s or 4x10s speakers that you can run with the amp (making sure the combination ohms are the same rated for the amp currently). 10s have a lot more punch than many flabby 12s. 10s should be a lot less expensive than 12s even in multiple copies. You could find 'rare earth' neo magnet 10s that when combined are less gig carry weight.

Does the speaker baffle board come out of the amp you have? Just make a new baffle board to fit two or three 10s. Put your own fabric over it (screen print your name for advertising on the fabric). This will cut your carry weight from having a separate cabinet.

Which is a similar idea to what this kid did with his practice amps -- the amp itself as 'a head' can do a lot more than you think, it's the amount of air you are pushing that counts for the loudness. Perhaps you have an old 4x12 (with the matching ohms) out in the garage you can connect to test like this?




Does your combo amp have a closed or open back? Get a thick piece of plywood and strap it across the back to convert it for testing into a closed back style. Seal gaps as best you can with shop rags/duct tape. A sealed speaker enclosure will give more bass than an open backed/ported cabinet. If it works then cut/paint/bolt-on the new back.

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Maybe you have a home stereo speaker that you haven't thought about... It's a long shot but seems like we have all kinds of time to think out of the box, or into it I guess.

 

There's two questions really. Presuming Supro was trying for a particular tone, it's quite possible (likely) that any replacement speaker will alter the tone, maybe in a way you don't like.

I read at least one review where a guy used an Emi SC64 and liked it. Produced a much smoother tone, though and he said he had to play with eqs to get it where he wanted for gigs.

Maybe pick up a secondhand Deluxe Reverb speaker, people almost give them away but it's basically an Emi Legend.

 

The CR is probably not a bad choice for that amp either, as it sounds pretty bright and the CR can help balance that. My bandmates got one in his limited Tweed Blues Deluxe and with lower gain V1 it's actually pretty sweet sounding.