V30 vs EV Force 12

[7704A]

I've been wondering about sound differences between clips I record and clips youtubers record, and have been considering picking up a set of V30's to use as a reference point to compare my rig and their rigs. I was also worried that my EV's might be worn and in need of a re-cone, and figured comparing to a V30 would help tell. So, when a pair of 8 ohm V30'spopped up locally for a reasonable price, I nabbed 'em. Below are two clips. One is the detuned 4x12 with EV Force 12's, and the other is with the two Vintage 30's instead. Just phone in front of the cab until I get time to properly mic 'em after the holidays.




I think I prefer the Force 12's. And I don't think my speakers are significantly worn anymore. We'll see how things change once mic'd.

 

[Mike Oxhuge]

V30 by a mile for me. But Greenbacks would be even better as they are my favorite

 

[Rackman]

I didn't feel like that was the V30s best showing. Lots of variables though.

 

[7704A]

V30 by a mile for me. But Greenbacks would be even better as they are my favorite

Interesting. When I listen to the V30's my reaction is to turn my nose up. All band-passed and lacking definition to me.

I didn't feel like that was the V30s best showing. Lots of variables though.

Agreed. What variables do you have in mind? Top of my list is the position of the phone mic. No attempt was made to control it other than sitting in roughly the same spot with the phone in roughly the same position. Volume would be another one. I tried to normalize the loudness, but string bleed can screw with that.

 

[7704A]

Ok, got a better-quality clip of the V30's to compare to one of my better Force 12 clips. Unfortunately the playing is sloppy and I broke a string before I could clean it up, or increase the amp volume above string bleed. That really will have to wait until after the holidays.

V30:


Force 12:


Both clips are of the two 8 ohm speakers in the top of my Peavey XXX slant 4x12 with the bottom two holes left open, and the mics are a stereo PZM wedge with the HF rise flattened in post. The cab has mitchell donut beam blockers.

 

[Rackman]

I think having open holes in the cab (effectively the world's largest ports) is probably having a big effect on what's going on here.

That said the new clips seem to show the V30 in a more favorable light.

 

[7704A]

I think having open holes in the cab (effectively the world's largest ports) is probably having a big effect on what's going on here.

What effect do you think they're having? Along these lines I have some older clips comparing fully loaded to half loaded cabs like these. I'll post when I can. My recollection is that the low mids get fuller and the top gets smoother.

That said the new clips seem to show the V30 in a more favorable light.

Definitely better than the phone clips. Easier for me to see why some people might prefer it, with the more forward voicing that a friend described as "in your face."

 

[Rackman]

I would expect the cab would move in the direction of behaving like an open back cab since total opening size is on par with the missing back panel on most cabinets. But presumably the port sound coming out would go forwards not backwards like it does with a fender type cab. Depending on the recording technique that port sound might or might not get captured much.

In terms of V30 voicing, I think they're "in your face" in some frequencies but not necessarily overall. The Force 12 has a high-mid thing going on in some of these clips that might be nice in a normal cabinet.