Wirral & District Amateur Radio Club

Anatomy of a Loudspeaker

 

  Speakers   ...continued
 




 


If multiples of identical speakers are used in a combo or cabinet, the overall power rating is calculated by multiplying the individual speaker rating by the number of speakers in the cab, e.g.: 4 x 25 watts = 100 watts. However, when speakers are mixed, the lower rating is used to make the calculation, as both speakers draw the same power from the amp. For example, in the case of one 60 watt speaker and one 25 watt speaker in the same cab, the effective power rating is calculated as follows:

1 x 25 watts + 1 x 25 watts = 50 watts total

It is not critical to match the power handling of a speaker system precisely with the power output of the amplifier but, as a general rule, the power rating of the speaker(s) should be at least equal to that of the amplifier.



All guitar speakers have just two connectors, one marked positive (+) and the other negative (-). If one speaker is wired the wrong way around in a multiple speaker configuration, it will not damage the amplifier. However, it will be ‘pushing’ when the other speakers are ‘pulling’, resulting in the cancellation of some frequencies in the overall sound. It is therefore important that the correct wire goes to the correct terminal.

Replacing the loudspeakers in your cabinet or combo may affect the manufacturer’s warranty.

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