Four speakers compared to one

[kmanick]

This is an interesting question to as I experienced something recently that surprised me.
I have 2 2X12 cabs, one for my mark III and ond for my 6505+.
I ususally just run one at a time , but I decided to plug both cabs into my mark III and see what the sound difference was.
It wasn't louder, but it was more spread out, I didn't really notice it until I unplugged one of the 2 X12's and I realized I had to turn my head "Down" because the one cab was more focused and therefore at least "seemd" to be louder.
I didn't expect that:think:
I downsized to 2 X12's so I could run my amps hotter without being louder, but I think it actually works the other way, the more speakers you're driving the louder you can turn up the amp to get to the same volume.
Now granted there is a point where the 4X12 will dominate if the speakers in both cabs are the same (2 v30's vs. 4 v30's), but until you hit tht point I think it may actually work the other way.:think:

[horns666]

Wassup Nick, how's it goin'....I love you!

[kmanick]

Wassup Nick, how's it goin'....I love you!

Hey Bill!
Love ya back!!

You da Man!

[Newc]

I was using a Carvin 2x12 cab and my ex-singer/guitarist was using a 4x12 cab. We both used the same head (Fender RocPro1000).
With both heads set identically, I was twice as loud as he was.

[Spivonious]

:think: How does that work then?

- your amp is 100w
- your load is 8 ohms for example (be it an 8 ohm single speaker, an 8 ohm 4x12 cab, or an 8 ohm resistor)
- so the power transfer is the same for all 3

Or have I missed something?
....slighly worried 'cos I run my Engl combo, 1x12, thru a 4x12 Marshall cab at gigs (both 8 ohms)....seems OK though

What I meant was that you'll have to turn the amp up louder to get the same volume from four speakers as you do from one. Hence the amp works harder with four speakers.

[Robert Hendrix]

4x12 fer sure. Not really for more volume, it just has a richer, more full sound with multiple speakers.. At least a 2x12.

[fuel0707]

I've not tried to run a 1x12 with a 100-watt head but as long as the speaker can handle that power, you should be OK.

As someone else pointed out, speaker efficiency will effect the volume. (That's usually measured in dB at either 1 foot or 1 meter from the speaker with the speaker receiving one watt of power). A higher efficiency means more volume.

Another thing that happens with 4 speakers is phase cancellation. Even though the speakers may all be the same model, the speakers will reinforce some frequencies between themselves and cancel some others. It's basically why humbuckers don't tend to produce as much clear high-end as single coil pickups: the humbucker's two coils are causing some phase cancellation.

If you want to cover all bases, check out a 2x12 cab and see how that stacks up against using four speakers or one speaker.