10" is the perfect speaker size.

[Clifdawg]

DrBGoode's post on blowout Vox 10" speakers got me thinking about speaker sizes in general... And I've come to the conclusion that, at least for home and recording purposes, a 10" speaker is the perfect size.

If I could have one of three tube amps in my house (of reasonable price), it would absolutely be the Vox AC10C1, Fender Bassbreaker 007, or VHT Special 6. All 1x10 combos. In fact, of those three, my experiences have been that I like them more (at sub-earbleed volumes) than the Vox AC15C1, Fender Bassbreaker 15, and VHT Special 6 Ultra - all bigger 1x12 combos. Two of my favorite modelers, the Fender Super Champ X2 and the Vox Valvetronix VT40X, are also 1x10 combos. Heck, I actually like the way my guitars sound through my little 15w 1x10 bass combo - it's particularly responsive to what the DOD Gunslinger does to the midrange.

I'm glad I ended up with the Katana 100, especially for live use - on stage, it's just phenomenal. And even at home, if I can get the master volume up and some air moving, it sounds great. But maybe that's what turns me off of 12" speakers in general - they always seem thin and airy at conversation volume, at least to me. A 10" just seems to provide a more punchy, defined clean and crunch tone at lower volumes.

Anybody else agree? Disagree? Think I'm nuts? Got a 10" combo they love? Hate? Just wondering if I'm the only one who thinks this?

 

[DrBGood]

Hmmm ... I like ... love the SCXD tones, but the 10" in the combo lacks some punch. It's got it's own thing going for sure, but being from a bass background, one 10" in an open back cab is too ... thin. Probably more adapted to smooth single coils. Most of the good vids on the SC are with Strats or Teles. I haven't had the chance to get my new VM Tele through the 10 incher yet.

So I run that amp through my home made 2X12" with great success, even at reasonable levels, it's rich and full.

I bought the two 10" because I believe that in a tight closed back cab, they will give more of that honk, those mids that are so hard to get to sound rich. Got some of it in this little clip I just posted though.

http://www.everythingsg.com/threads/p90-tones.33924/#post-497006

 

[Tony M]

My main gigging amplifier is a Supro Comet, 6/14 watts,
1 X 10 (replaced the Supro speaker with a Jensen P10Q).
I also have a 1965 Fender Champ that I stuffed a Jensen
P10R into. It sounds much better than it did with the 8.
My backup emergency amp that lives in the car is a
Roland cube 30 with a 10" Eminence Ragin' Cajun.

So yes, I like the sound of 10" guitar speakers.

 

[DrBGood]

It must be the stock Fender speaker in the SCXD I don't like then. I just now remembered I have a Vox AD15VT at the summer cottage, and while I'm there for a few months, I'm plenty satisfied with what the 10" in it gives me.

 

[Hector]

Personally, I'm liking my Palmer 2x12 with one VC30 and one Greenback..

I had a Marshal mini stack with 2x10, wasn't anywhere near as nice.

 

[gball]

I really like the low-end tightness of a 10" (guess there's a reason bass players love them). But for high volume applications they don't have enough high-end sheen for me, and they start sounding boxy fast. For low volume they are probably the best overall choice though, and the Greenback 10 is one of my favorite speakers ever, regardless of size, at low to moderate volume.

 

[One-Wan]

I really like 10's. Some of the nicest amps I've ever played through had 10's. Notable standouts for me were Fender Vibro Kings, Super Reverbs and Tweed Bassmans..... Ive got a little Dr Z Mini Z with a 10" Celestion Gold Alnico in it that sounds great, and Ive got a 2x10" Marshall 1958X 18watt combo on lay-by that Im also looking forward to picking up and running through its paces.

Cheers, Scott.

 

[DrBGood]

I really like 10's. Some of the nicest amps I've ever played through had 10's. Notable standouts for me were Fender Vibro Kings, Super Reverbs and Tweed Bassmans..... Ive got a little Dr Z Mini Z with a 10" Celestion Gold Alnico in it that sounds great, and Ive got a 2x10" Marshall 1958X 18watt combo on lay-by that Im also looking forward to picking up and running through its paces.

Cheers, Scott.

We're not talking about the same thing now, if we start comparing a Super Reverb to a small 1X10 combo. Of course a 4X10 will sound great.

Clifdawg started by saying ... a 10" speaker is the perfect size ... singular.

 

[Relic61]

I remember years ago trying the 4x10 Fender Hot Rod Deville against the 2x12 version. The 10's were tight & focused while the 12 were capable of wider tone. Maybe one felt the tens felt a bit more uncouth while the 12 a bit warmer capable of rounding out some lower frequencies the 10's were missing.

Since way back then, manufacturers got real good at making 10 inch speakers much more dynamic & useful. The somewhat more recent outbreak of Bass Amp cabs going with only 10's & subsequently sounding impressive totally testifies to that. The same goes for todays guitar amp, cab & speaker improvements & I have some little 1 watt Marshalls that will fool the ear for sure.

So depending on what one is looking for, trying your options with an open mind has become essential.

 

[One-Wan]

We're not talking about the same thing now, if we start comparing a Super Reverb to a small 1X10 combo. Of course a 4X10 will sound great.

Clifdawg started by saying ... a 10" speaker is the perfect size ... singular.

I wasn’t comparing anything. I was merely saying I enjoy amps with 10” speakers. Like my 1x10” combo. Cool your jets mate. It’s a Forum.

Cheers, Scott.

 

[DrBGood]

Cool your jets mate. It’s a Forum.

Did I yell or something ? I'll put my velvet gloves on next time.

 

[One-Wan]

Did I yell or something ? I'll put my velvet gloves on next time.

All good mate. Just sounded like you where correcting my previous post. Have a nice day.

Cheers, Scott.

 

[avapecialist]

So far my favorite 10 inch is the Weber California with a paper dome. If you install it in a nice pine partially open box it has a great range and balance from top to bottom. When new, it does need a lot of playing to loosen up. It is a great match for the SG.

 

[AngelDeVille]

 

[Semla]

I also really like 10" speakers. Preferably a few of them at the same time. I bought a new cabinet for my Fender blues JR, converting it from 1x12" to 2x10", using two Jensen P10R. It is now one of the best amps I have ever heard, it is so raunchy and raw in its tone, distinct and raspy highs with no ice-pick feel whatsoever. A bit less muddy than the original. Pairing it with a treble booster and we are in heaven!

 

[TDA1966]

I put this heavy sucker in my Fender SC X2 and ... WOW! A whole new beast.
https://wgsusa.com/g10c

 

[Lunacy the Faded]

I picked up the cheapo celestion 1030 and put it in my VOX VT20+ which was built for an 8" stock, this amp now sounds surprisingly good

 

[donepearce]

Did you manage to find one at 4 ohms, which I think is what the VT20 uses? The VT30 does.

 

[Lunacy the Faded]

Did you manage to find one at 4 ohms, which I think is what the VT20 uses? The VT30 does.

No, I actually went with an 8 ohm rating speaker... I snapped some screenshots of spec info just now its all good

 

[donepearce]

That spec is interesting - we appear to have found the holy grail of perpetual motion. These amps produce more power than they consume. Are those official specs?