5 Different Speakers in the Same Amp
Ever wondered how much of your guitar tone actually comes from your speaker? You’re not alone — most players obsess over pickups, pedals, and amps, but the humble speaker? It’s often overlooked. That is, until you swap five completely different speakers into the same amp and realize… oh. this changes everything.
In this post, we’ll walk through what I discovered when testing five very different guitar speakers — all loaded into the same 1x12 combo amp,
with no changes to the EQ, mic, or recording chain. Just one variable: the speaker. And the results? Mind-blowing.
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your rig, understand your tone better, or just nerd out with gear talk — welcome. Let’s dive in.
🔊 Why Speakers Matter More Than You Think
Guitar speakers are often treated like the “last piece” of the signal chain, but in reality, they’re one of the most tone-shaping elements. They’re the final translator of all your hard work — your fingers, your gear, your settings — into actual sound waves.
Different speakers can make the same amp sound:
Brighter and chimey
Warmer and smoother
Boxy and mid-heavy
Scooped and hi-fi
And once you hear them back-to-back? You’ll never take your speaker for granted again.
🎥 The Setup – Same Amp, Different Voices
To keep things fair and simple, I used:
Amp: 25-watt tube combo amp
Mic: Royer R10, same placement for all tests
Guitar: Heritage H-535
Recording chain: Nothing changed
Speakers Tested:
Celestion Vintage 30
Celestion Creamback
Eminence Cannabis Rex
Jensen C12N
Celestion Ruby 30
1️⃣ Celestion Vintage 30 – The Rock Staple
You’ve heard this speaker before — it’s in more modern Marshall cabs and Orange amps than you can count. And there’s a reason:
Sound:
Punchy mids
Tight low end
Bright, focused highs
Slight aggression that cuts in a mix
My Take:
Instant “record-ready” tone. If you’re in a rock or metal band and need your guitar to punch through, this is the speaker to beat. But if you’re a blues or clean tone purist, it might be a little too sharp or forward.
2️⃣ Celestion GREENBACK – The Vintage Muscle
Affiliate Link: 🛒 Get the Celestion G12M-65 Creamback on Sweetwater
This one surprised me the most. It’s like the V30’s older, smoother sibling.
Sound:
Rounded top end
Thick midrange
Great for touch-sensitive playing
Not as “in your face” as the V30
My Take:
The Greenback sounds refined. It doesn’t bark, it sings. Perfect for blues, classic rock, or anything where you want the amp to feel a little more vintage without going dull.
3️⃣ Eminence Cannabis Rex – The Wild Card
Yes, it has hemp cone. And yes, that absolutely affects the tone. Think smooth jazz meets roots rock.
Sound:
Dark and mellow
Rolled-off highs
Fat low-mids
Smooth breakup
My Take:
This speaker was a vibe. It felt like it turned my amp into a vintage jazz box. If you hate fizz, ice-pick highs, or over-bright single coils — this is your new best friend. It pairs beautifully with bright amps or Telecasters.
4️⃣ Jensen C12N – The Classic American Voice
A staple of vintage Fender combos. Want that old-school sparkle? Here it is.
Sound:
Clear highs
Tight lows
Scooped mids
Fender-y “bounce”
My Take:
Immediately made the amp feel more alive. There’s something springy and three-dimensional about this speaker. If you love cleans or edge-of-breakup tones, the C12N will feel like home.
5️⃣ CELESTION RUBy– RED and angry
Sound:
Balanced and smooth
Doesn’t hype any frequency too much
Slight British voicing
Great with overdrive
My Take:
This speaker gave me the most neutral tone. In a good way. It didn’t color the amp too much, and yet it had personality. Also: the best value of the bunch, hands down.
🧠 What I Learned Swapping 5 Speakers
Your amp doesn’t sound like your amp without the speaker.
I know, obvious — but really. It’s easy to blame your amp when it sounds off. But it might be your speaker all along.
Midrange response is the magic zone.
Most of what makes a speaker “cut” or “sit well” in a mix comes down to how it handles mids. The V30 barks. The Creamback growls. The Cannabis Rex whispers.
There is no ‘best’ — only ‘best for you.’
I loved the Creamback for bluesy playing. But if I were tracking rhythm guitars for a hard rock track? I’d reach for the V30 or ET65 without hesitation.
Speaker changes are more cost-effective than buying a new amp.
Don’t like your amp? Try a speaker swap first. You might just unlock something incredible.
🎧 Watch the Full Comparison
You can hear the raw tone of each speaker with identical settings and playing. No tricks, no post-processing. Just you, me, and a speaker shootout for the ages.
🔗 Recommended Gear
🧰 Final Thoughts
Changing speakers might be the most fun and affordable tone upgrade you can make. No soldering. No special tools. Just swap, screw, and play.
This experiment taught me that the speaker is the voice of your amp —
and every voice tells a different story. Whether you’re chasing the creamy breakup of a Greenback, the silky smoothness of the Cannabis Rex, or the glassy sparkle of a Jensen, the right speaker can transform your tone completely.
🗨️ What’s YOUR favorite speaker?
Leave a comment on the video or shoot me a message. I’d love to hear what you’re using in your rig.
Got a sleeper speaker recommendation I should test next?
