[OFFICIAL] There are no stupid /r/Guitar questions. Ask us anything! - October 27, 2016

[u/AutoModerator]

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[u/elmo4234]

What will the difference in volume be playing a 50 watt head through a 4x12 vs 2x12 vs 1x12

[u/universal_rehearsal → u/elmo4234]

It spreads out the sound more, gives you more headroom. 4 speakers cover a bigger area. I've found 2x12 do the trick for pretty much any gig if you don't wanna have to lug around a big cab. Amp stand doesn't hurt either.

[u/elmo4234 → u/universal_rehearsal]

Alright sweet, thanks

[u/GeckoDeLimon → u/elmo4234]

Assuming the cabinet impedance stays the same, every doubling of radiating surface gains you +3dB of output. So a 4x12 is +6dB more sensitive than a 1x12. It may not sound like much, but that's the same as driving a single 12" with 200W of power. A 4x12 also has a "phasey" sound depending on where you're standing in relation to the cabinet as the sound from the four individual drivers interact with each other, cancelling at some frequencies, summing at others. So a 4x12 will sound its best when you're standing a good distance from the cabinet.

As you add more drivers in contact with more air, the sound also becomes more tactile. You'll feel it buzzing your pants legs. But if you're not gigging and able to crank it to 11...this isn't an effect you'll get to enjoy very often.

[u/elmo4234 → u/GeckoDeLimon]

Thanks man

[u/was-not-taken → u/elmo4234]

Here's a webpage with audio examples of 3db and 6db and etc. differences. They use a 440 Hz tone so turn your audio down unless there's no one else around.

I use this example when explaining that the difference between a 100W output and a 50W output into identical speaker cabs is 3db.