Anything wrong with mixing speakers of different power?

[richedie]

I talked to a good friend who's opinion I trust and he said never mix speakers of different power ratings, such as a 65 watter and a 100 watter. Why would this be? I know guys who mix the K-100 with the V-30! Hey, I know it is done.

 

[Tom-Andrew]

That's just not true. You can mix speakers as you please. There are a couple of things you need to keep in mind though.

The max rating of the combination will be the lower wattage rated one times the number of speakers your combining.
Also keep in mind the impedance of the combination.

 

[RockStarNick]

More important than wattage is sesitivity / db rating.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

Ive been mixing speakers for years, all different types and all different power ratings.

Nick is right the only consideration is speaker sensitivity to better match output volumes of each speaker.

 

[bruce egnater]

You do need to exercise some caution. Let's say you have a 2x12 cabinet. If both speakers are the same impedance, the power from the amp is divided equally between the two. Now say you have a 100 watt amp. If you have two Vintage 30s, they are rated at 60 watts each and the power is divided between them so at the full 100 watts, each speaker gets 50 watts. This is OK though I would consider pushing things a little bit if you are playing loud, heavy music. Now let's use a Vintage 30 with a 60 watt rating and a Greenback with a 25 watt rating. See any problem??? Both speakers will still be getting 50 watts but the GB can only handle 25 watts.....not good.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

You do need to exercise some caution. Let's say you have a 2x12 cabinet. If both speakers are the same impedance, the power from the amp is divided equally between the two. Now say you have a 100 watt amp. If you have two Vintage 30s, they are rated at 60 watts each and the power is divided between them so at the full 100 watts, each speaker gets 50 watts. This is OK though I would consider pushing things a little bit if you are playing loud, heavy music. Now let's use a Vintage 30 with a 60 watt rating and a Greenback with a 25 watt rating. See any problem??? Both speakers will still be getting 50 watts but the GB can only handle 25 watts.....not good.

Doesn't making sure you don't turn up louder than your lowest wattage speaker can handle solve this?

I am currently using 80 watts of speakers with 120 watts of power and as long as I watch my levels everything has been going fine so far.

 

[richedie]

Thanks gents, makes me feel better and that I know what I am talking about that it is just fine!

The speakers I am looking to mix in my TM212, or at least try is an older G12K-85 and older G12-65. One is bassier and tighter and one is a bit spongier. Not sure about teh db rating.

 

[Tom-Andrew]

Don't worry too much about dB sensitivity rating - if it sounds good it probably is good.

Keep track of the impedance and power rating and you should be fine.

 

[richedie]

impedance - they are both 16ohm. Actually the older 65 watter is 15 ohm but they all vary anyway.

 

[mboogman]

More important than wattage is sesitivity / db rating.

+1

Wattage rating is simply how much power the speaker can dissipate as heat before seizing. Sensitivity is actually how loud the speaker will be.

 

[aeroic]

I talked to a good friend who's opinion I trust and he said never mix speakers of different power ratings, such as a 65 watter and a 100 watter. Why would this be? I know guys who mix the K-100 with the V-30! Hey, I know it is done.

I think you need to get better informed friends. He's completely wrong. Perfect example...Bogner Uberkab...mixes G12T75s (75 watt speakers) and V30s (60 watt speakers) in a stock cabinet!!! You're friend is 100% incorrect. Just make sure you don't mix impedances.

The dB rating is a big one I agree. If a speaker is +1 or 2 dB higher, it will be louder than the other, overshadowing its tone a bit.

Eric