Neodymium guitar amp speakers

**jzucker** · 02-28-2014, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Karol

Has anyone tried one of these?
How does it compare to the Beta 12A?
Thanks!

beta 12a is not a neo is it?

**Tom Karol** · 02-28-2014, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by jzucker

beta 12a is not a neo is it?

No, but that's what I've got in my stock JazzAmp112, and I wonder how the Deltalite would sound in comparison.

**jzucker** · 02-28-2014, 02:56 PM

not sure but the Delta12A is probably a better choice if you can tame down the high end.

**Jazz_175** · 02-28-2014, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Karol

No, but that's what I've got in my stock JazzAmp112, and I wonder how the Deltalite would sound in comparison.

Hey Tom, don't you feel inspired at trying the Tonkerlite?

**Tom Karol** · 02-28-2014, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by Jazz_175

Hey Tom, don't you feel inspired at trying the Tonkerlite?

Well, that one would be on my list to try. The thing is I really like the way my JazzAmp112 sounds with the stock Beta12A with my (stock) Eastman AR403CE. But a different speaker might make the amp more versatile. I probably won't change the speaker, but I'm always curious as in: If it ain't broke, fix it anyway!

**Spook410** · 02-28-2014, 08:21 PM

OK.. I looked at frequency curves.. I read reviews.. seems it's like a guitar. Unless it's in your lap it's hard to tell what the end result will be. For my Concert amp, just going to get the EVM 12L. Weighs a ton. Sounds great. Not like I'm going to carry that amp out of the house anyway.

However... I have a similar requirement to Tom's. I have a Henriksen head driving a Redstone 10ER cabinet. I think there's a Beta 10 in the cabinet. It sounds OK once you do battle with EQ (guess I'm not that big of a Henriksen fan). I'm wondering if an Eminence deltalight II 10" would also sound OK and yield a super light rig. Has anyone used these in something like a small closed back box with a SS amp?

**iim7V7IM7** · 03-01-2014, 09:08 AM

I honestly think you have to try them out yourselves in your amp or cabinet to see what you think.

Some tones that some players like others detest and amp tone stacks, power, playing volume and cabinet parameters will all interact with speaker performance. Like many, I read with interest other player's opinions on speakers. I just find them to be quite heterogeneous partly because of what I listed above but also due to personal preference. Eminence offers 3 popular models (Deltalite II 2512, Lil' Texas and Tonkerlite) and Jensen offers the Jet Tornado. I am going to A/B a Tonkerlite and a Tornado in a few months. But that will be for my rig and preferences.

**Tom Karol** · 03-01-2014, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7

...Eminence offers 3 popular models (Deltalite II 2512, Lil' Texas, and Tonkerlite)...

Yeah, those are the three I would probably consider if I were seriously looking.

**jzucker** · 03-01-2014, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by Tom Karol

Yeah, those are the three I would probably consider if I were seriously looking.

according to quilter, you will experience cone distortion if you try to use the tonker or lil texas in a 1x12 cab . Good for blues/rock , not so good for jazz. I've found the same thing.

**Jazz_175** · 03-01-2014, 09:38 AM

Tom, you mentioned that it is not necessary soldering when replacing speakers to Henriksen. Does this apply to every possible speaker you might want to put in place of the original one, or it can vary, depending on the particular choice? I was told that if I want to put a Jensen Tornado in JazzAmp 112 I should do some soldering....

**Tom Karol** · 03-01-2014, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by jzucker

according to quilter, you will experience cone distortion if you try to use the tonker or lil texas in a 1x12 cab. Good for blues/rock , not so good for jazz. I've found the same thing.

Thanks, Jack. It seems to me that maybe the Delta12A is the only Eminence offering that might be an improvement without adding too much weight (+4 lbs); I'll probably just stand pat then. (As you've indicated previously, the new EPS-12C is too expensive to try on a whim, and it doesn't yet come in an 8 ohm version.)

Jazz_175: the speaker leads coming from the amp have adapters crimped on which just push on to the terminal tabs on most speakers. I don't know if the Jensens are different, though.

**jzucker** · 03-01-2014, 10:26 AM

supposedly these guys make an 8ohm version of the EPS-c but it's not listed on their site

http://www.tpa-az.com/page3.htm

**Jazz_175** · 03-01-2014, 05:58 PM

Here, last post, someone who compared Lil Texas, Tonkerlite, and the Jensen Tornado neo (I think in a Henriksen).
Jensen Tornado wins.

**jads57** · 03-01-2014, 08:38 PM

I have the Tornado and while I like it especially in a closed 1x12 cab, I think the Neo speakers seem to not have the strength/guts/oomph/etc. that their weightier counterparts EV12L, JBLK120, even the high powered offerings by Eminence, WGS,etc.

**Tom Karol** · 03-02-2014, 09:08 AM

Well, I'm still intrigued. According to this link http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=253194 (posted above), Telonics now does have an 8 ohm version (manufactured to their specs by Eminence) and it sells for $189 plus shipping. The Eminence version (4 ohm only, and no, I have no idea what the difference is other than that) sells at MF etc. for $209 with free shipping, so it's about the same price. I had a JBL K120 in a 60w Polytone combo (model # ?) back in the 70's, and I really liked that speaker. I have no way of knowing whether their claims that it sounds just like that are valid, but I may email them tomorrow. It's sort of an expensive gamble, but the pedal steelers seem to like it alot, so I may take the plunge ... or not!

**jorgemg1984** · 03-02-2014, 09:18 AM

I would go with the Eminence Tom. 225w at 4 ohm - it will make the Henriksen louder.

**jzucker** · 03-02-2014, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

I would go with the Eminence Tom. 225w at 4 ohm - it will make the Henriksen louder.

but you won't be able to use an extension cab if you go that route. Also, some SS amps will run very hot if run at 4 ohms.

**Tom Karol** · 03-02-2014, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

I would go with the Eminence Tom. 225w at 4 ohm - it will make the Henriksen louder.

Yes, I thought of that. But the 112 is already plenty loud enough for my needs, and the 8 ohm Telonics is 2 db more efficient than the stock Beta 12A, and - even though I know the Henriksen can drive a 4 ohm load - I think it will make the amp run hotter which I am mildly reluctant to do. Still, worthy of consideration - thanks! (Jack responded while I was composing this reply.)

**jzucker** · 03-02-2014, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by Tom Karol

Well, I'm still intrigued. According to this link http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=253194 (posted above), Telonics now does have an 8 ohm version (manufactured to their specs by Eminence) and it sells for $189 plus shipping. The Eminence version (4 ohm only, and no, I have no idea what the difference is other than that) sells at MF etc. for $209 with free shipping, so it's about the same price. I had a JBL K120 in a 60w Polytone combo (model # ?) back in the 70's, and I really liked that speaker. I have no way of knowing whether their claims that it sounds just like that are valid, but I may email them tomorrow. It's sort of an expensive gamble, but the pedal steelers seem to like it alot, so I may take the plunge ... or not!

IMO, there is little chance an eminence speaker will sound like a JBL K-120 in the first place. Just compare the EM12 (EV Clone) with a real EV. And secondly, adding a neo magnet to the mix totally changes the characteristics of the response. i have yet to hear a neo magnet speaker that is not fatiguing to the ears. It's very unlikely a neo magnet jbl clone will actually sound like a JBL.

But go ahead and buy it so we can get a recommendation from a jazz guitar perspective.

**Tom Karol** · 03-02-2014, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by jzucker

...But go ahead and buy it so we can get a recommendation from a jazz guitar perspective.

How about if I accept contributions from forum members toward it in exchange for the promise of a very detailed and expertly written review?

**jzucker** · 03-02-2014, 09:39 AM

i may buy one to try but I'll wait for your review.

**jorgemg1984** · 03-02-2014, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Tom Karol

Yes, I thought of that. But the 112 is already plenty loud enough for my needs, and the 8 ohm Telonics is 2 db more efficient than the stock Beta 12A, and - even though I know the Henriksen can drive a 4 ohm load - I think it will make the amp run hotter which I am mildly reluctant to do. Still, worthy of consideration - thanks! (Jack responded while I was composing this reply.)

Didn't noticed the efficiency difference. Not worth going 4 ohm then, I guess

**jzucker** · 03-02-2014, 09:51 AM

wouldn't the Telonics give you the efficiency and a louder speaker if you got the 4 ohm version?

**Jazz_175** · 03-02-2014, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by jzucker

i have yet to hear a neo magnet speaker that is not fatiguing to the ears.

Still with this "fatiguing to the ears".
Can you define what it means? What kind of troubles does a neodymium magnet speaker produce to the listener's ears?

**GuyBoden** · 03-02-2014, 10:54 AM

I've said this before, but here we go again, many years ago, after experimenting with many Celestion Neodymium
speakers, my conclusion was that the Celestion G12 Century was the best, clear definition, Hi Fi Neodymium Celestion speaker, unfortunately they stopped manufacturing these speakers.

Beware, the disappointing Celestion G12 Century Vintage is not the Celestion G12 Century Neodymium.