One Vox AC30 vs two Vox AC15s?

Less wiring and balancing levels. But with 2 amps, the option of stereo effects arise. With 3 and some delays, some Brian May antics would be possible.

I have an AC30 with blues in it. Too loud and heavy but fun.

Could try connecting the 15 to a 4x12 cab as a possibly more sensible and ballsy option. Would have much better bass

 

I believe the AC30 brings more clean volume before it begins to distort.

I don't think two AC15's is going to provide more headroom.

I haven't tried it, and I'm guessing.

 

I’ve had both amps.
I reckon the Ac30 is louder cleaner than 3 ac15s.

 

2 amps is better than one! Even without the use of stereo effects, the whole sound on stage of two amps will be so much more glorious than a single amp. Just spread them out and bask in the sound. But remember to keep one right near to you; the audience need a source point reference (or is that point-source reference?) - they need to look at you and hear the guitar coming from where you are playing. It's psycho-acoustics.

My nephew plays in the top Queen tribute act here in Holland. They have expensive and extensive gear, including those high-line modelling amps and effects devices (Kemper and Strymon, etc). Everything is wireless, the amps are off-stage; the sound all comes through the main PA speakers, and everyone has in-ear monitors.

I went to the opening show of their last theater tour; the audience was old and well-heeled (as you would expect these days, for a Queen tribute band in a theater setting). They mostly appreciated that everything sounded 'just like the record' and it wasn't too loud. I found it highly unsettling and unsatisfying; especially because I chose to sit near the guitar player, and though he played very well, all the sound seemed to be coming from 'somewhere else'.

 

You're asking two questions: Would they sound the same? No. As previously noted, there's more clean headroom with the AC30. (The reason I prefer them).

Will the two AC15s sound as big and loud? Yes, very likely. Maybe bigger if you spread them out.

And if you're worried about the weight, there's always the AC30 Head...

 

Hi.

Dunno.

But two would also give you wet / dry possibilities.

Just to add one more option (i.e. complication) to consider about the choice...

Pax/
Dean

 

If you want big and loud there is only one choice..................

 

They make an AC15 2x12 combo. Still no headroom, but more speakers.

 

You stated you want more headroom. AC30. I recommend two of them.

 

My amp. More volume than I'll ever need, could be cleaner with humbuckers but singles keep it in clean zone till it gets very loud!

 

ok so two choices there

 

Which one would that be? Twin Reverb? Marshall Major? SVT? oh wait I got it...




woooah baby!

 

I vote for 2 x AC15s (because of gloriousness of surround-sound and the more exciting sounds of 2 different sets of amp settings) but agree what some of the others have said about AC30 being cleaner.

 

Oh my! What is that!?

 

The biggest and loudest tube amp fender ever made, the 400 PS. Calling it a 400 was very conservative, it's said to put out closer to 500w of ear blasting power from six 6550 tubes. It was marketed to bass players but the "normal" channel is the full guitar vibrato + reverb channel found in all their other amps.

I've never had the pleasure of seeing one in the wild, but on the plus side, I can still hear a little bit

 

Do you know what the cabinets were loaded with?

 

18" cerwin vega speakers. Three 4x12 cabs would probably be a hoot though

 

I’ve seen this question asked before, and I believe the conclusion was two amps of a certain wattage doesn’t equal one amp of the combined wattage.

 

You might consider a higher efficiency “neo” type speaker like the Lil Texas or similar. This would definitely bump the output sound level from your AC15. Just might get you loud enough.