Speaker Compression

[FunkyE9th]

Is there a way to tell if with speaker specs how well a speaker will compress? I'm looking for a 12" speaker that compress nicely.

Thanks,

-FunkyE9th

[gearhead]

What do you mean by compressing nicely?

If you mean a "smooth" compression (breakup really), meaning the opposite of gritty, then Alnicos (like Weber Blues).

[FunkyE9th]

I don't mean break up. It could be a clean sound, but the speaker kinda pushes back a little when you dig in, if that makes sense. It's like having a compressor.

[strato17]

I don't mean break up. It could be a clean sound, but the speaker kinda pushes back a little when you dig in, if that makes sense. It's like having a compressor.

You definitely want an alnico speaker. Weber's Blue and Silver Alnicos are wonderful, as are the Celestion Blue and Gold. Find a speaker that is close in wattage rating to that of your amp. That way, when you crank your amp, you are pushing the speaker pretty hard, which results in compression.

[LeeMo]

The way that I understand the physics of speaker construction, compression occurs when the voice coil moves to the edge of the gap but the signal is still rising ( or falling as the case may be). Therefore the peaks of the wave are not reproduced. Tell me if I'm wrong.

LeeMo

[gearhead]

I am referrring to breakup as that point where a speaker no longer produces an unmodified reproduction of the input. For some, it's a gritty clipping thing. For others, it's just a tad bit of a sizzle. For Alnicos it's a smoother compression-like effect.

[FunkyE9th]

I went to the Weber site and checked out the Blue Dog clips. Very nice! Expensive though. One of the clips is pretty much what I'm hearing in my head. I guess I really have to try it to get a feel for how it reacts.

[gearhead]

Yeah, Alnicos aren't cheap. Depending on your wattage needs, might want to look at the Eminence Red Fang. A bit more affordable.

[geetarpicker]

The compression effect is definately something I hear in old Celestion ceramic magnet G12M 25s and the Scumback M75 25 watt clones. They even compress at fairly low (even attenuated) volumes, something the bigger 30 watters are reluctant to do.

I had some newer alinco blue 15 watt celestions, but I definately feel more "give" (in a good way) tone wise with the old 25s.

[Andy Le Blanc]

alnicos for sure...... even the cheapest OEM
I've noticed that they break in too.... mello a bit with age
a few gigs later will tell more than any selling point

[rutledj]

I have a Weber Silver Bell alnico. It does exactly what you want. But like you said, they ain't cheap.

[FunkyE9th]

I just ordered the Weber Blue Dog. Now comes the worst part...the wait Hopefully it won't take that long. I'm looking forward to getting it.

[drhulsey]

I just ordered the Weber Blue Dog...

Doesn't Warehouse Speakers have an alnico speaker, now

[FunkyE9th]

Yes they do. I actually thought about getting it, but decided to go with the Weber. I really like one of the Weber audio samples I heard online. Plus Weber has a 10% off sale going on and I was also ordering PTs.

I'm thinking of trying the warehouse speaker v30 and greenback clones someday...

[drhulsey]

... I'm thinking of trying the warehouse speaker v30 and greenback clones someday...

The v30 clones are VERY nice