Need speaker advice

"It's probably nicer than any amp that you've ever heard"

Being nicer than I've ever heard.... I'm afraid I can't halp you because its so nice. (But being so nice that I've never hear a better amp... one has to ask "why do you need to change the speaker"?

 

My guess is that the actual output power of this amp is between 15 and 18W. The specs aren't exactly clear the way they quote the power rating.
If you want cleaner out of this amp you will need an efficient speaker .. the Cannabis Rex is the best bang the buck IMO. However as much as I like this speaker it may not be right for your sound. If you are playing at band volume it is really hard to get "clean clean" sounds out of 15 -20W ... then again it depends on what kind of band you are in. I like the YGM3 ... great amp but it you really want clean(er) you are going to need an amp that puts out 30 -40W min at band volume because a 15 or 20W amp can't give you the head room at high volumes usually, ( it is a design issue). ... it is just arithmetic really.

After all of what I just said I want to make it clear that you can design a very clean 15 -20W guitar amp but most of the time players buy these amps because they want the break up at db levels that won't leave them deaf especially in smaller rooms. I keep amps on hand that range from between 30 to 110W for the situations where I really do need clean. Most of the time I use 15W amps sometimes two of them. They all have the C.Rex installed. Every situation is different. Just remember that you can install a really efficient speaker and it will help but you can't get blood out of a stone. There are limits.

 

You are misjudging the better speaker - Eminence. For your own good, reconsider

 

Efficiency rating C12Q. 94.6 db So try to find a speaker with a higher Db rating

But then what speaker for the same “sound” that’s tuff, It boils down to buy and try. I don’t think your going to get a magic answer at best you’ll get opinions


Maybe read this to get an idea of efficiency ,db , watts

https://spinditty.com/instruments-gear/Speaker-Watt

 

You need a speaker of 102db efficiency. That will effectively double the apparent volume compared to a speaker that has an efficiency acting of 94db. The Eminence Legend GB128 will do that as will other Emi's with similar do ratings. An EV will give you that, but you are concerned about expense. I say look at the Emi's. As for the 'glue cones' concern, IMHO there is no concern. Emi builds a quality product, ime.
As for using an amp of higher power, in order to double the volume through a speaker of similar efficiency, one would have to increase the output power of the amp by a factor of 10. A 30 watt amp through the same speaker is not a big boost in volume.

 

There's a reason why Jensens aren't often recommended. It's just people's general preference for something else. Nothing wrong with your following your own preferences, of course.

That glued cone phobia is getting in your way. If you can get past it, I think an Eminence Legend would do well for you. No, the cone will not explode or fly apart.

 

No argument there but you will get a significant increase in clean headroom by using a higher power amp. The speaker will help but the difference isn't earth shattering ... I have been through this with 4 low power amps.

 

Eminence all the way. They're not that expensive. As far as the glue concern goes, I think you're refering to the dope on the speaker. If louder and cleaner is what you're after, dope on the speaker can only help.

 

Through the same speaker and using the same type of amplifier circuit, a doubling of power will yield a 25% increase in apparent volume. Using the same amp, increasing the efficiency of the speaker by 6db will double the apparent volume. The speaker efficiency change is the easiest way to increase that headroom. It would take a 150watt output through the same speaker to double the apparent volume of a 15 watt amp.
Eminence sells a 12" speaker that has a flux density adjustment with which one can vary the efficiency.

 

BBill64, the Emi Legend Gb 128 was Emi's first British cone speaker. That said, it is not a midrange you speaker as is their Private Jack. The GB12 has a big firm low end, smooth high end even when pushed and a warm, woody tone. If you are looking for something more in the line of a classic vintage Jensen sound, which the modern does not do IMHO, you might look at the Legend Emi's that are voiced that way .
I have liked the GB in every amp into which I have put it....great speaker, IMHO.

 

One of the best "vintage Jensen" sounding, current production speakers, I've heard is the Eminence GA-SC64; and it's 100.5 db.

 

Ok, now I get it.

 

It's called a seamed cone. Not uncommon and not a problem. Weber offers several Jensen clones with seamed cones, one being their C12Q equivalent. Usually makes for a bit brighter tone, I believe.

As for the C-Rex, I hated it in every amp I tried it in. Lot's of people like it, tho.
To me, it sounded like the proverbial Wet Blanket. And takes a long time to break in. After 40hrs play time thru several different amps I gave up and moved it along.

The guy that bought it put it in a SS Yamaha combo and loved it......matter of taste.

 

For what it's worth, I've seen companies like WGS tout the "seamed cone" as key to the sound of a classic American-voiced speaker. It's definitely not something to be avoided.