True, but I no longer know what to do. I am trying to find someone to make the enclosure (since I don't have any wood tools and I am not good with wood either). I wanted to have the speaker, the same size as the amplifier, so it can nicely sit on top of it. If everything fails, maybe I will have to use an already made cabinet.
Looked everywhere and a guy on Alibaba wanted 100USD to make a small enclosure to fit the 5''speaker.
On eBay I could find another guy that makes enclosures and I am waiting for an answer. My next stop will be B&Q and ask them to cut the wood and glue it myself at home.
Last resort, the 8'' VOX. Which is too big for me ...
Looked everywhere and a guy on Alibaba wanted 100USD to make a small enclosure to fit the 5''speaker.
On eBay I could find another guy that makes enclosures and I am waiting for an answer. My next stop will be B&Q and ask them to cut the wood and glue it myself at home.
Last resort, the 8'' VOX. Which is too big for me ...
B&Q will cut the wood "approximately" so it won't fit when you start to assemble the box.
Think outside the "box"
You can look at Ikea's wooden boxes, I'm sure you can find a way to make a circle to fit the driver.
Or a toolbox. I've seen some nice portable bluetooth speakers built from toolboxes.
Just for trying things out, make the enclosure with XPS foam. I do it all the time to prototype a design without spending so much money on wood that I may need to scrap. Easy to cut with a blade, glue it up, and you will have a good idea of the sound you will get.
Think outside the "box"
You can look at Ikea's wooden boxes, I'm sure you can find a way to make a circle to fit the driver.
Or a toolbox. I've seen some nice portable bluetooth speakers built from toolboxes.
Just for trying things out, make the enclosure with XPS foam. I do it all the time to prototype a design without spending so much money on wood that I may need to scrap. Easy to cut with a blade, glue it up, and you will have a good idea of the sound you will get.
I have looked into IKEA boxes and eBay/Aliexpress boxes. Another option is to buy speakers listed for spares/repair on eBay and reuse the box.
Another option would be to buy an MG10 (which pop-up very frequently for £20) and replace everything inside. Replace the speaker with a good one and their amplifier with my valve amplifier.
On eBay I found these two options too:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/296994094835
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153822113667 (I messaged this guy to, basically, cut the speaker in half, but I am waiting for a reply)
Another option would be to buy an MG10 (which pop-up very frequently for £20) and replace everything inside. Replace the speaker with a good one and their amplifier with my valve amplifier.
On eBay I found these two options too:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/296994094835
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153822113667 (I messaged this guy to, basically, cut the speaker in half, but I am waiting for a reply)
Visaton makes numerous paper cone full range with m roll edge.
FR13 5"
BG13 5"
BG17 6.5"
FR6.5 6.5"
likely most very high Qts so be ok open back.
For bass or closed back, you want Qts to be low so it isnt boomy.
For a fender "champ" style amp.
The upgrade would be going from 8" to a 10"
Which there is plenty of 10" models to look at like vibro or super champ
For itsy bitsy 3" or 4" speakers, better to go sealed back for bass.
You dont need a nasal FR " real guitar speaker"
Normal 2 band tone control more than enough to Crank the bass or treble.
Not have to EQ out the harsh varieties of guitar speakers out there.
There is plenty of practice amps out there just using dirt cheap speakers.
I guess they become " guitar" speaker when you play guitar through them.
Whatever that means.
Do you want it smoking loud? then you want a higher sensitivity speaker.
To not be crazy loud you can ease it back using low sentivity speakers.
or many normal hifi speakers.
How big or small is the box? the speaker Qts determines alot of how big it needs to be
to not be boomy.
And a open back speaker is usually underhung voicecoil for better cone control, and usually rather high Qts.
Aka be boomy as heck closed back.
Something like a dayton PC83 is a cheap little fullrange.
It would be closed back and not be cranking loud but have a little bass compared to open back.
Same with a zillion other hifi type fullrange. More bass and plenty plenty of highs
FR13 5"
BG13 5"
BG17 6.5"
FR6.5 6.5"
likely most very high Qts so be ok open back.
For bass or closed back, you want Qts to be low so it isnt boomy.
For a fender "champ" style amp.
The upgrade would be going from 8" to a 10"
Which there is plenty of 10" models to look at like vibro or super champ
For itsy bitsy 3" or 4" speakers, better to go sealed back for bass.
You dont need a nasal FR " real guitar speaker"
Normal 2 band tone control more than enough to Crank the bass or treble.
Not have to EQ out the harsh varieties of guitar speakers out there.
There is plenty of practice amps out there just using dirt cheap speakers.
I guess they become " guitar" speaker when you play guitar through them.
Whatever that means.
Do you want it smoking loud? then you want a higher sensitivity speaker.
To not be crazy loud you can ease it back using low sentivity speakers.
or many normal hifi speakers.
How big or small is the box? the speaker Qts determines alot of how big it needs to be
to not be boomy.
And a open back speaker is usually underhung voicecoil for better cone control, and usually rather high Qts.
Aka be boomy as heck closed back.
Something like a dayton PC83 is a cheap little fullrange.
It would be closed back and not be cranking loud but have a little bass compared to open back.
Same with a zillion other hifi type fullrange. More bass and plenty plenty of highs
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No I don’t want something loud, I want the opposite: low volume with nice cranked valve sound.
The amplifier is in a Hammond 1590XX enclosure (145 x 120 x 39 mm).
The speaker should sit nicely under the amp. So the front of the speaker should be 145x145.
The amplifier is in a Hammond 1590XX enclosure (145 x 120 x 39 mm).
The speaker should sit nicely under the amp. So the front of the speaker should be 145x145.
What I was thinking long long time ago.
Rather 1 watt or 5 watts.
Guys get upset when the practice amp is " Too Loud" when cranked up for the " tube sound"
So if a speaker is 95 dB rating at 1 watt. Well then you are blasting loud at 95 dB at 1 watt.
Average listening is likely more like 80 to 85 dB
So any normal " HiFi" speaker that is small around 3" should be in the 80 to 83 dB range.
If the magnet is on the weak side Qts will be .5 to .6 it will want a bigger box.
Really strong magnet around .3 Qts up to .4 will usually want a smaller box.
Find what fits your budget
Probably any number of Dayton full range 4" be fine, sealed even ported
PC104 cheaper
RS100 more expensive
DA115 somewhere in the middle.
lots more options likely
Resonant Frequency or Fs is about the end of the road for bass response.
Whatever one has the lowest Fs will make the most bass.
High Fs is likely good for midrange only.
Most guitar speakers dont go much below 80 Hz
So any little guy below that will have better bass, just low sensitivity, not a big deal for practice
With marshall and all the generic celestions they used. for the underhung screamers in loud amps.
They made 75's and 55's basically the resonant frequency 75 Hz and 55 Hz. wild guess which one had more bass.
Hence the" lead" speakers or "rhythm" speakers usually used in the add copy. same old celestion basket/magnet with different cone
for 55 or 75Hz Fs. paint the basket 90 different colors and make up 90 different names
Rather 1 watt or 5 watts.
Guys get upset when the practice amp is " Too Loud" when cranked up for the " tube sound"
So if a speaker is 95 dB rating at 1 watt. Well then you are blasting loud at 95 dB at 1 watt.
Average listening is likely more like 80 to 85 dB
So any normal " HiFi" speaker that is small around 3" should be in the 80 to 83 dB range.
If the magnet is on the weak side Qts will be .5 to .6 it will want a bigger box.
Really strong magnet around .3 Qts up to .4 will usually want a smaller box.
Find what fits your budget
Probably any number of Dayton full range 4" be fine, sealed even ported
PC104 cheaper
RS100 more expensive
DA115 somewhere in the middle.
lots more options likely
Resonant Frequency or Fs is about the end of the road for bass response.
Whatever one has the lowest Fs will make the most bass.
High Fs is likely good for midrange only.
Most guitar speakers dont go much below 80 Hz
So any little guy below that will have better bass, just low sensitivity, not a big deal for practice
With marshall and all the generic celestions they used. for the underhung screamers in loud amps.
They made 75's and 55's basically the resonant frequency 75 Hz and 55 Hz. wild guess which one had more bass.
Hence the" lead" speakers or "rhythm" speakers usually used in the add copy. same old celestion basket/magnet with different cone
for 55 or 75Hz Fs. paint the basket 90 different colors and make up 90 different names
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Yes, I have a 100dB and the amp sounds freaking loud. Actually the amplifier is not 1W is between 2W and 3W.
Reducing the sensitivity by 6dB will halve the volume. So, going to a speaker of 88dB, will give me 1/4 of the loudness of the Eminence. However, nowadays there are small speakers with high sensitivity. The 3” Faital Pro has 91dB of sensitivity. Despite its small size it should be loud. But sound won’t be as full as a bigger driver.
@Sonce has many valid points. Because of this, I am going to buy the biggest speaker that fits in my enclosure.
Reducing the sensitivity by 6dB will halve the volume. So, going to a speaker of 88dB, will give me 1/4 of the loudness of the Eminence. However, nowadays there are small speakers with high sensitivity. The 3” Faital Pro has 91dB of sensitivity. Despite its small size it should be loud. But sound won’t be as full as a bigger driver.
@Sonce has many valid points. Because of this, I am going to buy the biggest speaker that fits in my enclosure.
Try a Kemper Player between guitar and amp. This will give good tone and work with the full range speaker and a clean amp
https://www.kemper-amps.com/products/us/profiler-player.html
https://www.kemper-amps.com/products/us/profiler-player.html
It's not a guitar speaker but it's really flat and should do OK. SB Acoustics SB10PGC21-4 3" Full Range
I have some 5" Eminence speakers that are pretty good guitar speakers in cigar box cabinets. Unfortunately they are hard to find.
Also, I agree with the others that the speaker is part of the instrument, especially with a tube amp. The speaker acts with the amp and guitar to provide a certain sound. Rhythm players might want something that is more midrange chunky and lead players might want something that breaks up like crazy. Many modern guitar players model their sound with Pod's and Spark type software, so what they need is more of a PA type loudspeaker or even headphones. So, if that is what you are going for then a good full range speaker should be fine.
I've experimented with many kinds of speakers in small enclosures. Sometimes cheep ceiling PA type speakers work pretty good. Car speakers suck because they are 4 ohms and that can be tough on some amps, but then you can use two in series if you want. Midrange speakers are fine at low volume but can bottom out on louder low notes, sometimes they sound too clinical or even nice. Woofers have no top end and cheep woofers simply aren't worth it.
I have some 5" Eminence speakers that are pretty good guitar speakers in cigar box cabinets. Unfortunately they are hard to find.
Also, I agree with the others that the speaker is part of the instrument, especially with a tube amp. The speaker acts with the amp and guitar to provide a certain sound. Rhythm players might want something that is more midrange chunky and lead players might want something that breaks up like crazy. Many modern guitar players model their sound with Pod's and Spark type software, so what they need is more of a PA type loudspeaker or even headphones. So, if that is what you are going for then a good full range speaker should be fine.
I've experimented with many kinds of speakers in small enclosures. Sometimes cheep ceiling PA type speakers work pretty good. Car speakers suck because they are 4 ohms and that can be tough on some amps, but then you can use two in series if you want. Midrange speakers are fine at low volume but can bottom out on louder low notes, sometimes they sound too clinical or even nice. Woofers have no top end and cheep woofers simply aren't worth it.
I read some widely different opinions here, so I think we should remind ourselves to the real OP needs ... and not to forget to use some logic.
OP needs small guitar speaker cabinet (ideally 145x145 mm), so 6" speakers and larger are out of question. Yes, we all know the real guitar speakers with good sound are 12", but the largest speaker to fit 145 mm enclosure is 5" - it is enough for practicing, which OP wants in the first place. If plywood is 15 mm thick (the usual gauge), it leaves 115 mm space inside - enough to fit any 5" speaker. Why using smaller speakers (4" and 3") which are too compromised, when there is enough space for 5" speaker?
Modeler amps and pedals are great (and can be used with ordinary fullrange speaker), but they are unnecessary expense, because OP already has good valve amp. He needs just simple and cheap cabinet.
Again: ordinary PA/professional/hi-fi speakers can not possibly and never will produce good guitar sound - real guitars speakers must be used!
By his own words OP can't DIY make the cabinet by himself, so nominally cheap enclosure will have higher price. I recommend OP to try to find some woodworker nearby to make him that enclosure, or to by some second-hand (small) cabinet.
OP needs small guitar speaker cabinet (ideally 145x145 mm), so 6" speakers and larger are out of question. Yes, we all know the real guitar speakers with good sound are 12", but the largest speaker to fit 145 mm enclosure is 5" - it is enough for practicing, which OP wants in the first place. If plywood is 15 mm thick (the usual gauge), it leaves 115 mm space inside - enough to fit any 5" speaker. Why using smaller speakers (4" and 3") which are too compromised, when there is enough space for 5" speaker?
Modeler amps and pedals are great (and can be used with ordinary fullrange speaker), but they are unnecessary expense, because OP already has good valve amp. He needs just simple and cheap cabinet.
Again: ordinary PA/professional/hi-fi speakers can not possibly and never will produce good guitar sound - real guitars speakers must be used!
By his own words OP can't DIY make the cabinet by himself, so nominally cheap enclosure will have higher price. I recommend OP to try to find some woodworker nearby to make him that enclosure, or to by some second-hand (small) cabinet.
This is the smallest dedicated guitar speaker I could find: https://www.jensentone.com/mod-series/mod-5-30
Too big for the tiny box of tht TO
Too big for the tiny box of tht TO
? Too dip to fit - where? Not in the Hammond 1590 aluminium enclosure (in which is the OP amp), of course. But it can fit in 145x145x145 mm enclosure made from plywood.
I've been thinking about this for a while, not obsessively or anything. There are three pages of debate! Maybe you should just throw a dart and pick a speaker. Most 3" drivers can handle the 1 watt amp and they don't cost much, so if you don't like it change it.
The Jensen Mod 5-30 is not very expensive (£30). Of course, a 3'' would be half the price, but it is not costly for the size.
Thanks to all of you.
I bought a small cabinet 16x16x16 cm and ordered the Jensen 5-30.
I will post pictures next week.
Cheers
Pedro
I bought a small cabinet 16x16x16 cm and ordered the Jensen 5-30.
I will post pictures next week.
Cheers
Pedro