Tell me about Classic Lead 80s.....

[blackba]

Hey, this is a bit off-topic, but I'm sure you guys can answer. I've been playing my TM212x with Elite 80's with the sealed back for about a year. I just took the back vent panel off and I'm really liking the sound. I think, at low volumes a sealed cab sounds choked. You need more power to make it sound good sealed.

So, my question is: The classic Marshall 1960 4x12 cabs, are they sealed or ported? What about the oversized Mesa 4x12s?

Awe the old closed back versus opened back debate. The Marshall 412 cabs and Mesa recto 412 cabs are closed back.

I don't really find you need to crank a closed back cab for it to sound good. My metal grill mesa 412 which I have both back panels on sounds good a low volumes. I just find in general that I like opened back cabs for clean and low gain. I prefer closed back cabs for higher gain sounds in general.

I have always run CL80's in closed back cabs. I did have the top of my Mesa 412 open with 2 MC90's and I ended up liking it better closed. Do what works for you. I have both closed and opened back cabs, both are good.

 

[Kiteboarder]

Hey Blackba. Yeah, I guess it all has to do with the cab, the amp, the speakers and your own set of ears. There's no right or wrong. I kind of agree with you about having a closed back for high gain though.

 

[jkdsteve]

I have a pair of 16Ohm Egnater 80s FS..hint hint

 

[dfrattaroli]

I find both V30s and Elite 80s are smoother than the MC90's.

I've never tried a CL-80 but I've played many V30s. Right now my mark iv is on top of a Mesa vertical 2x12 recto that has 2 MC90's in it and find them to be warmer and smoother than V30s. I also use Eminence Governors for the same reason.

 

[Rogue]

The chief complaint I see on the CL80's is that they are kind of bland, which I can see. If you are coming from a Greenback or V30 and used to the speaker really coloring the tone, than the CL80 may be a good or bad shock.

Well, I have bought an Elite 80 from troublehead and I agree with this comment. I can see where someone might say they are bland and it'll be one of two types of shock...good or bad.

In my case, it was good. I think it's a kick ass speaker. If I could use one word to describe it it would "natural". I love the top end. Big, smooth, and nice.

I'll stick with the V30/Elite80 config for now, but at some point I'd like to try out two Elite80s. I like em.