Answer
Oct 14, 2025 - 11:16 AM
Bass response is a combination of speaker design AND cabinet dimensions/cutouts/porting. If you find your amp is too bassy, it is likely the speaker has too much low end, or resonates low end in a particular way that is emphasized by the cabinet design. Changing the speaker out will change that, but it isn't easily predictable how, without knowing the specs of the speaker you have for comparison.
The primary differences you'll see with changing a speaker is an overall EQ curve change (different sounding lows, mids, highs, in a complex way), and sensitivity (loudness). If the new speaker has higher sensitivity than your previous speaker, it will be louder at the same amp output settings. That means you may turn your amp down to compensate, so it won't drive the tubes as much, giving the impression of a change in "headroom" (which is actually entirely determined by your amp settings, not the speaker choice). For an idea of how the sound will change, you'd have to compare EQ curves and sensitivity ratings of your original speaker to the replacement you're considering.
The primary differences you'll see with changing a speaker is an overall EQ curve change (different sounding lows, mids, highs, in a complex way), and sensitivity (loudness). If the new speaker has higher sensitivity than your previous speaker, it will be louder at the same amp output settings. That means you may turn your amp down to compensate, so it won't drive the tubes as much, giving the impression of a change in "headroom" (which is actually entirely determined by your amp settings, not the speaker choice). For an idea of how the sound will change, you'd have to compare EQ curves and sensitivity ratings of your original speaker to the replacement you're considering.
