Low efficiency Celestion Alnico Blue type speaker

[PaisleyTube]

Hi all

I really like using (current) Celestion Alnico Blue speakers in modified 5E3 amps but they're so loud
Right now looking for current speakers that have about the same sound, feel and power-rating (higher no porblem) but about 97 dB @ 1W @ 1m or less.
Even ceramics are welcome

Thanks in advance!

[Stevem]

Are you able to play the amp close to loud enough so that the output stage clips ?

You don't seam to understand the conection between a speakers power rating and the great Mojo that takes place when both a amp and speaker are being pushed hard enough.

[erwin_ve]

You don't seam to understand the conection between a speakers power rating and the great Mojo that takes place when both a amp and speaker are being pushed hard enough.

Chris is one of the better amp techs in the Netherlands, so your remark is at least very entertaining!

[67plexi]

HI Chris. My modified 5E3 builds with a Celestion made in England Rocket speakers way to loud not at the amp but 20-25' away from the amp.
Keith our sound man measured the DB I was running a pair of 5E3 Keith claimed I was running 140 DB 25-30' away from the amp's.
My volume was set at 4 both amps. I turned one amp off and set the volume on 2 it worked fine that night.
I don't have a answer for your issue. One other speaker that is used on this build is the Celestion G-25 12"

Best of luck, Steve.

[Roe]

Try the blue dog or scumback

[Scumback Speakers]

Try the blue dog or scumback

The Scumnico is 98db, as is the S75-PVC. Due to the 40 oz alnico magnet used, that's about as low as they go for db output.

I think WGS or someone makes an alnico with a 30 oz magnet, which should be less efficient, but you'll have to do a search to see.

The Alnico Blue is a 100db speaker, even going to 98db you'll get maybe a 10-15% reduction in volume, but I'm not sure if that's going to be enough for your situation.

[The Ballzz]

This is the rabbit hole in which I seem to live! My current solution is a Marshall 1965B 4x10 cabinet with the original G10L-35s, rated at 94 db each. Unfortunately the benefit is lessened by having 4 of them in the box, though still a little less loud than the G12M25/75hz in the combo. I do actually have and use a Weber MiniMass attenuator mounted in the combo cabinet and the 5E3 seems to be one the few amps that doesn't mind the mild use of an attenuator very much. Once you really squash it down though, all bets are off!

It seems that the only real solution for using amps in their "sweet spots" may be FluxTone speakers, though I really can't justify the $1,275, or more for the experiment!

https://www.fluxtonespeakers.com/products/

Eminence made their own "variable flux density" speakers in both British and American voiced versions, but I've never tried them, as they only attenuate to 92 db and have been discontinued. Not sure if the "discontinuance" was because they sounded like doggy doo-doo, didn't attenuate enough, or........? There are still a few out there on the market, but only in 8Ω versions:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... aker-8-ohm
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... aker-8-ohm

Just My $.02 & Likely Worth A Whole Lot Less!
Gene

[Roe]

I recommend the fryette power station as a volume controller. Select the speakers that sound right and feel right even if it is loud

[pdf64]

Yes I suspect that the Blue is so unique that to keep that response, the only option is the FluxTone Model 4, which has the genuine Celestion Blue cone, spider, and voice coil https://www.fluxtonespeakers.com/product/model-4/
To get the max available sensitivity (and cost!) down but retain the response, there's the Model 14 https://www.fluxtonespeakers.com/product/model-14/
The FluxTone system is wonderful, I'm very pleased with my Model 10.
It's weird that because guitar speakers can be made cheaply, folks resent paying a lot for them, even though the speaker's characteristics seem to me by far the most significant contributor to a rig's response.
But yikes, yes, $1425 is a lot for a speaker, though I suspect I like many are far happier to pay way more than that for a guitar that sounds virtually indistinguishable from one costing $250

[tubeswell]

Weber makes a range of low-power/inefficient 12" Alnicos with 7oz or 11oz magnets in their 'Vintage Series' e.g.:

https://www.tedweber.com/12a100-t
https://www.tedweber.com/12a100
https://www.tedweber.com/12a125
https://www.tedweber.com/12a125-a

These are all fairly cheap and if you buy a bunch of them, you can get lower margins on freight overseas. ('swat I do.)

[tubedood]

Not a Celestion but wow the reviews are great and consistent... of all places the Jupiter Condensors models (built to spec by WGS). I will probably get their 10" small ceramic model (10SC) for my 1958 Princeton practice amp build I'm working on. The ceramic model is merely $59.00 and the reviews are outstanding. Not too sure yet on the doping choices or responsiveness. The Alnico isn't priced too kindly at list of $239.. heres the ceramic 10" small voice coil

jupiter.gif