Fender Princeton Reverb speaker question

[Electron Tornado]

I am building a Fender Princeton Reverb, but do not have speakers or a cab. This gives me some freedom with the choice of speakers. Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations on the pros and cons of going with the stock 1x10 configuration versus a 1X12, or a 2x10?

[acheld]

It depends . . .

I like 1x10 cabs -- they are compact, and since I love those expensive alnico Celestions, it's cheaper.  Sound volume is fine for me at home.

1x12 does seem to open up the sound a bit, to my ears.  Still pretty compact; my preferred 12" speakers are pricey,  overall this setup works the best for me, though the 1x10" is very close behind.

2x10 sounds louder (not necessarily better, just louder) than the 1x12.   But, the cab is going to be significantly larger, and the speakers are not cheap.  Too big for what I do and my aching back . . .

All of the above is just my opinion -- everyone seems to have a different take on this.   

[mresistor]

I installed an Eminence GB128 in a PR build once and I really liked it. Seems like it was a pretty well rounded speaker. I think you couldn't go wrong with a Celestion Gold 10" though. Depends on what you are looking for.. the Weber alnicos are nice too for sure. I hear people saying they like the Allesandro labeled Eminence speakers for the PR.

[Willabe]

Look at WGS speakers as an option too. Very nice.   

[SILVERGUN]

I am building a Fender Princeton Reverb, but do not have speakers or a cab. This gives me some freedom with the choice of speakers. Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations on the pros and cons of going with the stock 1x10 configuration versus a 1X12, or a 2x10?

One pro of going with a 12" speaker is that you will have more available options than 10"

[jojokeo]

I am building a Fender Princeton Reverb, but do not have speakers or a cab. This gives me some freedom with the choice of speakers. Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations on the pros and cons of going with the stock 1x10 configuration versus a 1X12, or a 2x10?

One pro of going with a 12" speaker is that you will have more available options than 10"

Yes this is true. This subject reminds me of Gerald Weber and his dual 8" speakers that he fits in the same 12" cab. Says he gets better/quicker response, the cone area is larger than a single 12, and there's no cone cry w/ the 8's. I haven't done this myself but just throwing it out there. I believe Dave Hunter also mentions this in The Guitar Amp Handbook.

[brewdude]

I have a small combo cab with a pair of vertically arranged 8” Jupiter speakers.  I love it.  It sounds great for my needs. I don’t think it has the depth of a 12”. 

[Electron Tornado]

Thanks, everyone, for the helpful replies.


Regarding "cone cry" in 12" speakers - I know Gerald Weber talks about it, but are there any other sources for good info on the subject?

[jojokeo]

I don't have the time or desire to find the information at the moment. I think it's in one of Gerald Weber's books and others? But visualize a speaker cone going inward and outwardly, called cone excursion. Under high power it moves much more. In this high power condition - around the outside area - the cone begins having uneven movements and patterns to the actual paper cone material. It emits it's own sounds adding to the sound it's replicating and adding it's own non-musical character to the mix/outcome. There's a couple of examples on youtube but they kind of suck and are not good examples in my opinion.