DSL40CR speaker swap.

[TMR]

Hi all,
Will be receiving the replacement DSL today, I have read that even though as standard the amp gives great tones, if you swap the speaker out for an aftermarket speaker the sound greatly improves?? Is this a thing? Or does it not make too much difference? Is it only something that the pro would notice?
If it is a game changer then what speaker is most thought of to replace for?
Thanks

 

[scozz]

I’d recommend a Celestion Creamback 65, great sounding, nicely balanced speaker.

 

[bhatta]

I don't have a 40, but a 20.

Yours will come with a V type? That's supposedly nice but of course can be improved.
I changed my Celestion 70-80, after it was well broken in, with an Eminence and I really like the result.

While I was researching, I came across Eminence GB128 which is Creamback sounding and had great reviews. As an alternate to Celestion I can definitely recommend Eminence.

They make great speakers.

Cheers and HNAD!

 

[TMR]

I don't have a 40, but a 20.

Yours will come with a V type? That's supposedly nice but of course can be improved.
I changed my Celestion 70-80, after it was well broken in, with an Eminence and I really like the result.

While I was researching, I came across Eminence GB128 which is Creamback sounding and had great reviews. As an alternate to Celestion I can definitely recommend Eminence.

They make great speakers.

Cheers and HNAD!

Thanks for the reply

 

[svinyard]

Lol...this always happens when you get a DSL.

The speaker in the DSL40CR is fine, it's not the crappy Celestion 70-80...that's only the previous C version. It's got the V-Type. I went down the rabbit hole and A/B'd literally 7 different speakers hunting for a more classic/vintage tone but nothing really did it for me enough. The Greenback was good actually as it gave it some of the character I wanted with some of the mid/treble breakup they do but that was only a 25W speaker. The Creamback was fine but too polite in that mid-treble range where I was looking for some sizzle not clean. V30 had tons of grind and tightened the lowend up but it's heavy and I wasn't looking for that tone (it does that already well enough). I'd really have liked to try a Blackback clone from Scumback but those weren't returnable. In the end, I left the stock speaker in there as it's a decent compromise actually. As I was dropping more cash on the DSL (returning stuff via Amazon), I kind just wanted a second amp instead that was more of the 70's/80s tone...which I ended up buying lol. The DSL is my jack of all trades (and gains) amp and my kid plays it so it's a good fit. Leave the stock spekaer in it, it's good enough in my opinion.

 

[fitz]

Hi all,
Will be receiving the replacement DSL today, I have read that even though as standard the amp gives great tones, if you swap the speaker out for an aftermarket speaker the sound greatly improves?? Is this a thing? Or does it not make too much difference? Is it only something that the pro would notice?
If it is a game changer then what speaker is most thought of to replace for?
Thanks

Yes, a speaker swap makes a difference, and is something you will notice.
"Greatly improves" / "game changer"? - depends on how you use the amp and what sort of tones you are going for.

V-Type is not a bad speaker, I have a pair that I've used with various amps.
I think it's well balanced and doesn't color the amp tone as much as a lot of other speakers.

If you want to go down the rabbit hole of swapping speakers, I'd suggest looking around your local gear sites (CL, FB, etc.) for a deal on something you can re-sell if you don't like.

 

[svinyard]

Yes, a speaker swap makes a difference, and is something you will notice.
"Greatly improves" / "game changer"? - depends on how you use the amp and what sort of tones you are going for.

V-Type is not a bad speaker, I have a pair that I've used with various amps.
I think it's well balanced and doesn't color the amp tone as much as a lot of other speakers.

If you want to go down the rabbit hole of swapping speakers, I'd suggest looking around your local gear sites (CL, FB, etc.) for a deal on something you can re-sell if you don't like.

You just buy them on Amazon and return it for free (ensure you find a Free-Returns one). Amazon is the best thing since slice bread when it comes to auditioning speakers for your amp! So handy and you can really learn a lot by swapping out 3 at a time back and forth.

 

[KraftyBob]

The V-Type is a big improvement over the Seventy/80 that came in the 40C (which is what I have). Although, when I bought mine Sweetwater was running a deal that for the same price you could get the G12M-65 Creamback so I got that - and am really glad I did.

On a lightly different note, my Hot Rod DeVille IV came with Celestion A-Type speakers and I have no intention of swapping those out. I think they sound really good.

 

[TMR]

Lol...this always happens when you get a DSL.

The speaker in the DSL40CR is fine, it's not the crappy Celestion 70-80...that's only the previous C version. It's got the V-Type. I went down the rabbit hole and A/B'd literally 7 different speakers hunting for a more classic/vintage tone but nothing really did it for me enough. The Greenback was good actually as it gave it some of the character I wanted with some of the mid/treble breakup they do but that was only a 25W speaker. The Creamback was fine but too polite in that mid-treble range where I was looking for some sizzle not clean. V30 had tons of grind and tightened the lowend up but it's heavy and I wasn't looking for that tone (it does that already well enough). I'd really have liked to try a Blackback clone from Scumback but those weren't returnable. In the end, I left the stock speaker in there as it's a decent compromise actually. As I was dropping more cash on the DSL (returning stuff via Amazon), I kind just wanted a second amp instead that was more of the 70's/80s tone...which I ended up buying lol. The DSL is my jack of all trades (and gains) amp and my kid plays it so it's a good fit. Leave the stock spekaer in it, it's good enough in my opinion.

Ok, I take the hint. Probably my amateur ears wouldn't really notice a difference. We will run with the OG factory v-type. Well, until a point is reached where tinkering just can't be helped anyway....

 

[svinyard]

Ok, I take the hint. Probably my amateur ears wouldn't really notice a difference. We will run with the OG factory v-type. Well, until a point is reached where tinkering just can't be helped anyway....

Hey no shame from me, we've all done it. I'm just trying to save you some cash

 

[dryz41]

Dsl is great with greenbacks. i turn my combo to head btw. And i use it 2x12 engl with greenbacks in it. İt sounds awesome. İn combo stutiation , you can search for greenback like speakers which > greater than 40wats

 

[SkyMonkey]

Stick with the V-Type for a while and listen with your ears.
You need to know what the speaker you have lacks (if anything) to know which one will fix it.

I did swap out my V-Type for a Celestion G12 Century Vintage (discontinued).
That was as much for the weight saving of a Neodymium speaker magnet as for the 'upgrade'.
But the V-Type is still in my DSL40CR mix, as I put it in a 112 cab under the combo for a 212 stack setup.

 

[Cal Nevari]

Hi all,
Will be receiving the replacement DSL today, I have read that even though as standard the amp gives great tones, if you swap the speaker out for an aftermarket speaker the sound greatly improves?? Is this a thing? Or does it not make too much difference? Is it only something that the pro would notice?
If it is a game changer then what speaker is most thought of to replace for?
Thanks

Congratulations and happy NAD! They are great amps irrespective of the speaker. I’ve not been able to hear much of a difference between them but then I don’t even use the effects loop, which just goes to show what a philistine I am…