1x12 vs 2x12 combo

[toddw7]

I'm wondering, What is the difference between a 100watt combo amp with a 1x12 speaker, and a 100watt combo amp with a 2x12 speaker? What is the reasoning behind having two speakers instead of one? Is there a tonal difference? A volume difference? Harder to blow up the speakers when there are two? Something else?

Thanks!

[Ibanized]

in my opinion 2 speakers will move more air and will sound fuller, you also will have the option for different speakers. Also harder on the back

[smooth55]

2 speakers will be slightly louder, all other things being equal. The downside is that it's usually several lbs heavier if that's a factor. I prefer my combos to be 1x12 or smaller because the point of a combo is portability while getting a head with a 2 or 4x12 gives bigger fuller sound.

[SilverEra]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=1x12+vs+2x12+combo

[rgr]

The amount your back will hurt after lugging it up a flight of stairs!

I prefer 1-12s and a separate cab if I need more speakers, but I'm old, 70+ lb combos are too much. I usually go with a head and 1-12 or 2-12 cab. At least that way I can balance it out with one in each hand...

[racerevlon]

You have a lot of reading to do. All of your questions have answers.

Is there a tonal difference? Yes--as Ibanized said, you're moving more air, so the sound is going to be different. Just the variance from speaker to speaker is going to make a tonal difference.

A volume difference? Yes--think about it--you have a 100 watt amp. Sending to one speaker, that speaker gets the full 100w. Two speakers have to divide the power between themselves, so each speaker gets roughly half the power (depending on wiring).

Harder to blow up the speakers when there are two? Yes. If you're running 100w into a speaker rated below 100w, you run the risk of damaging the speaker. If you have two speakers, again, they're dividing the power, so you're sending less power to each.

Something else? The load (resistance in Ohms) on the circuit. Again, depending on wiring (series or parallel) you need to make sure you do not have a mismatch between your head and your speakers, or you run the risk of frying your output transformer in your head.

Go to the web and read up on amplifiers, speakers, circuits, and wiring.

Cheers,

Bob

[nathanpsmith]

HELP!
Now i have your attention i'm trying to connect a marshall 2x12 cab to my marshall 1x12 combo (jtm60) but its just making a loud squeel everytime i plug it in!! what am i doing wrong??? can i not run 3 speakers??? god damn you ohms law!! and god damn Mr marshall!!

help much appereciated

Nathan