speaker eval g12h65 vs g12h30

[Tonegeek]

Circumstances are such that at the moment I have 2 identical cabs, one with new Celestion Heritage G12-65 speakers and the other with broken in Celestion G12H30 speakers (Hellatones). I decided to compare the 2 setups and report my opinion.

The cabs are identical THD style open backed cabs mounted side by side. I used a just finished non HRM amp using mostly the clean and OD channel (no PAB or effects). I went back and forth between the cabs numerous times at different volumes, gain levels, etc.

At identical settings on the amp, the g12h30s have more highs and upper mids. The upper mids sit on the edge of being harsh. This might be good for a darkish amp or if you need to cut through the mix.
bottom not as defined and breaks up sooner when you start cranking the volume. These speakers are more efficient than the 65s (louder at same volume)

When testing the g12h65s, the first thing that jumped out at me is the 65s have smooth, rounded bottom that doesnt break up at higher volume like the 30s. The rest of the range is really even. Using the same settings as for the 30s test, the top seem muted. I cranked the presence and it came alive and could take lots of channel treble and still sound good. Nothing harsh about this speaker, except it had a slight new speaker brittleness when hit hard and clean, but still sounds great right out the box. It is not as efficient as the 30.

No question the 65s are the better speaker for this amp which has got 6L6 outputs, although the 30s can be tamed and made useable with a little eq. The 30s cut through a bit better but with the 6L6 amps you won't realize the full power of the amp as they break up too soon on the bottom. I use them with my BM, EL34 amp and they work ok but I like the G1265s better with that amp too. The G1265s seem to have more of a 3D quality than the G1230s, if that makes any sense. Put another way, you can tell these speakers cost more than the 30s. The sound quality is just better.

[talbany]

Circumstances are such that at the moment I have 2 identical cabs, one with new Celestion Heritage G12-65 speakers and the other with broken in Celestion G12H30 speakers (Hellatones). I decided to compare the 2 setups and report my opinion.

The cabs are identical THD style open backed cabs mounted side by side. I used a just finished non HRM amp using mostly the clean and OD channel (no PAB or effects). I went back and forth between the cabs numerous times at different volumes, gain levels, etc.

At identical settings on the amp, the g12h30s have more highs and upper mids. The upper mids sit on the edge of being harsh. This might be good for a darkish amp or if you need to cut through the mix.
bottom not as defined and breaks up sooner when you start cranking the volume. These speakers are more efficient than the 65s (louder at same volume)

When testing the g12h65s, the first thing that jumped out at me is the 65s have smooth, rounded bottom that doesnt break up at higher volume like the 30s. The rest of the range is really even. Using the same settings as for the 30s test, the top seem muted. I cranked the presence and it came alive and could take lots of channel treble and still sound good. Nothing harsh about this speaker, except it had a slight new speaker brittleness when hit hard and clean, but still sounds great right out the box. It is not as efficient as the 30.

No question the 65s are the better speaker for this amp which has got 6L6 outputs, although the 30s can be tamed and made useable with a little eq. The 30s cut through a bit better but with the 6L6 amps you won't realize the full power of the amp as they break up too soon on the bottom. I use them with my BM, EL34 amp and they work ok but I like the G1265s better with that amp too. The G1265s seem to have more of a 3D quality than the G1230s, if that makes any sense. Put another way, you can tell these speakers cost more than the 30s. The sound quality is just better.

I've blown quite a few of the G12 30's ..Had 2 in a cab as test speakers...One went shortly after replaced it and a week later the other went.. I do run amps up pretty loud during testing but not so loud that it should take out a speaker...Replaced the test cabs with 65's going on a year now and still going strong..Iv'e heard the same story from other players who liked the 30's but can't use them cause they blow them..These guy's do play loud on stage though...My 2 penny's


Tony VVT

[JD0x0]

i always use the rule "add 20 watts to what the amp puts out for speakers"

Meaning if the amp puts out 50 watt for example use at least 70 watt speakers(combined). Most "50 watt" ODS amps are actually closer to 43 watts so i use a 30 watt speaker and a 65 watt speaker (Equivelent to 60 watts combined) and ive never blown them out. I now use a second 60 watt 1x10 rotating (leslie) cab for a combined total of 120 watts.

IMO the G12-65's sound much better than the G12h-30's but even better are the alnico golds or comparable speakers. The alnico's really bring out all the dumble magic IMO

[Tonegeek]

I've blown quite a few of the G12 30's ..Had 2 in a cab as test speakers...One went shortly after replaced it and a week later the other went.. I do run amps up pretty loud during testing but not so loud that it should take out a speaker...Replaced the test cabs with 65's going on a year now and still going strong..Iv'e heard the same story from other players who liked the 30's but can't use them cause they blow them..These guy's do play loud on stage though...My 2 penny's


Tony VVT

I think 2 G12H30s are a bit overpowered by a 50 watt amp.
One thing I did not test initially was how they sounded at a really high volume, so I went back and did that a while ago. The point worth noting is the 30s started giving out warning signs that they couldn't take any more whereas the 65s said "bring it on". I had no feeling that they were going to crap out. They sounded great even at extremely high volume.