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Topic: AINico or ceramic speaker |
David Cook
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 25 Apr 2008 11:10 am |
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| What are the differences between these two speakers and which is more desirable for steel? Thanks |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 25 Apr 2008 5:02 pm
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I suggest going to the Weber speaker site (www.tedweber.com) for a great explanation of how speakers work, different magnets, etc.
There are MANY exceptions to this - but generally Ceramic-magnet speakers have more "snap" and a quicker response; Alnicos are smoother and warmer. Which is better for steel depends entirely on your steel, your amp, your effects, your style....in other words, there is NO "better". Alnico is generally more expensive, but some of the best speakers I've heard are ceramics - again, it depends on the application (to me a stock CTS ceramic in a mid 70's Deluxe Reverb is the best speaker for that amp, while 10" Jensen alnicos (real Jensens - not reissues, which aren't the same) in a Super Reverb is the best combination there that I've heard.
You have to know what you're looking for soundwise - but if you have a pretty clear idea, call Ted - he's a straight shooter and even if he doesn't have it (he doesn't make high-powered speakers) he'll try to steer you in the right direction.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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Drew Wofford
From:
Greensboro, NC
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Posted 11 Feb 2012 8:15 pm
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| What happens if you use both together? |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 12 Feb 2012 10:42 am
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Given identical flux density at the gap the alnico magents are lighter than ceramic ones. On the other hand, JBL's E series (with ceramic magnets) have a slightly wider voice coil than the K (alnico magnet) series, which yields increased power handling.
As far as sounding different, this has nothing to do with the magnet's material but with many other design elements present, including the materials and design of the speaker surround, geometry of the cone and coil, size of the voice coil gap and the magnetic flux present in the gap, weight of the cone and stiffness of the cone material, allowable excursion of the cone, and more....
I have two (ceramic) JBL E130's in high-powered amps and two (alnico) K120's in a tube amp. Both are excellent for steel guitar provided the power handling and nominal impedance is appropriate for the application. |
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George McCann
From:
Maui, USA
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Posted 12 Feb 2012 4:39 pm
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Dave,
Have you ever used the EV 12L's or are they just too heavy to load in a speaker cabinet and haul around.I don't have experience with them but from what I have read they seemed to be made to handle the steel tone. I'm interested because of the price of the K120's on ebay. Although the EV 12Ls aren't cheap either.
_________________
As I've aged I've wondered why my mental powers haven't expanded like my waist line.
Rain SD-10, Fessy U-12,Harlow Dobro, Eastman 912 mandolin, Zhu Fiddle, guitars, gizmos and buu-kuu Amps |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 12 Feb 2012 5:37 pm
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Get the best you can afford, George, it's all any of us can do, just remember that buying cheap often means buying twice.
Not having used the EV speakers myself I suggest that you do a search here for posts mentioning the EV speakers - or any thing else that you may be curious about - and you will find copious information, much of it totally subjective and all of it right, for at least one person here anyway.
In the case of the EV's that you mention there are some folks here who swear by them, and others who only like BW, Eminmence or the newer neo-magnet offerings. To each their own.
My choice of JBL (and the now-defunct TAD) drivers for nearly forty years of putting together instrument rigs and concert sound systems is due to the combination of (1) highest efficiency, (2) low distortion, (3) extended frequency response and (4) power handling. On paper nothing else can match the JBL instrument speakers for satisfying these four requirements, and in actual experience this investment is rewarded every time I go out to play. |
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Jim Pitman
From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
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Posted 13 Feb 2012 4:35 pm
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Am I dreaming or am I correct to say ceramic has higher magnetic strength?
That being the case ceramic will be more efficient than Alnico and therefore louder. They probably should not be mixed if this is the case. |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 13 Feb 2012 4:58 pm
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| Not really, Jim, pound for pound the alnico is a stronger magnet, that's why the JBL E series is so much heavier (9 lbs!) than the K series for basically the same efficiency. |
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