The 12″ size range has the biggest selection of guitar speakers, but they are frequently too loud, big, and expensive for home use. The 8″ range is great for jam sessions at home or on the fly. They are affordable, compact, and still have enough power for a fun jam. You won’t need to play as loudly as possible when practising at home. So it is frequently inappropriate to use a 4×12 speaker cabinet. There are other smaller speaker kinds that produce excellent sound at significantly lower volumes. We’ll discuss about 8-inch speakers today. They offer better sound than 6-inch speakers and are more affordable than their 10-inch equivalents. However, compared to 12-inch speakers, their model range is sadly much smaller.
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Jensen Vintage C8R8 8-Inch Ceramic Speaker
- Overall Diameter 8"
- Impedance 8 ohm
- Rated Power: 25 watts
Based on the original 1961 Jensen C8R, the Jensen C8R Vintage Ceramic was easy to distinguish during our tests. The speakers had a real antique flavour to them, and everything was housed in a practical and small modern design speaker size. It is also fairly reasonable, costing just $42.
While examining the speaker’s tone, we detected an assertive mid-range that gave it a commanding presence in any mix. Balance is created by the mid-range not suffocating the low end. The frequency response curve, which had peaks in the middle of the frequencies that fall within the range of human hearing, supported what we had experienced.
The strong mids handle distortion effectively. Even with the most severe genres, note quality and minimal noise were maintained. We tried pushing our crunch and fuzz effects to the very limit, but we heard no stray sounds. We did not anticipate such a tiny speaker to handle metal and hard rock music so nicely.
This is not to say that the Jensen C8R cannot perform with clean tones, as it provided us a clear and bright feeling without any distortion, suitable for blues, jazz, or even country music. Considering the speaker’s prominent presence, we continued to detect a trend toward heavier genres. In fact, we discovered that taming the mids on our amp resulted in superior tones. Given how loud the speaker is and how important a role it can play in a small band or studio, the Jensen C8R’s diminutive stature is deceiving. This speaker is our favourite due to its extensive adaptability and the mobility and simplicity of an 8″ speaker.
The Jensen C8R Vintage Ceramic produces a rich tone with a generous bottom end. Its tone may be distorted without trouble, and given its affordable price, it won’t break the bank. This is the Best 8 Inch Guitar Speaker in 2023.
Eminence Patriot 820H 8″ Guitar Speaker with Hemp Cone
- 4 ohm hemp cone speaker with rich warm full bodied tone
- Fat punchy lows smooth and defined highs and a nice break up
- Prominent mids but with a warm smooth texture
The best 8-inch speaker that we could find is the Eminence 820H. The 820H is the only speaker we tested that could compete, despite costing twice as much as the typical 8-inch speaker. It has a pressed steel chassis and a hemp cone speaker. 820H has a warm, full-bodied clean tone. We noticed a more neutral trend in the frequency response graph than most other speakers. Clean tones provide great note definition over the whole frequency range. Even with the flat response, the 820H has its unique personality.
Most 8″ speakers typically lack warmth, bite, and loudness, making them unusable for anything other than practise. However, we discovered that the 820H excels in each of these aspects, making it a powerful speaker for performances while being lightweight and incredibly handy. The 820H proved to be quite adaptable thanks to its wide full-range approach as we tested it out in a variety of genres. We used distorted tones without any problems, and the clean tone was unaffected. With this speaker inside, even a generally thin-sounding amp may sound larger than life.
The mids are clear, and the bottom end makes everything sound bigger and dominates anything else in the 8″ diameter area, according to our research. With the 820H, Eminence guarantees longevity and dependability in addition to a Premium American tone. All Eminence speakers are equipped to travel and withstand the demands of performing.
Instead of the more typical ceramic magnet type, the 820H has a ferrite magnet. It was created from the ground up to stand out from all of its rivals and perform everything better. Neodymium magnets are not as heat- and corrosion-resistant as ferrite magnets, which makes them ideal for rugged speakers. The sound great and build quality of the Eminence 820H speaker are both excellent values for the premium pricing of voice coil diameter. It not only accomplishes everything you ask of it, but it also outperforms any other product in the 8″ category. This is the Best 8-Inch Guitar Speakers in 2023.
Celestion Eight 15 8″ 15W Guitar Speaker
- General Specifications : Nominal diameter : 8", 203mm || Power rating :...
- Mounting Information : Cut-out diameter : 7.2", 183mm || Diameter : 8.1",...
- The Eight 15 is ideal for upgrading your bedroom blaster with authentic...
If you’re searching for a true 8-inch speaker on a tight budget, the Celestion Eight 15 is a fantastic choice. Our tests revealed some similarities between these speakers and the Fender Champ’s standard speakers. Therefore, it might even be a great replacement speaker for this awesome practise amp. The tone has a bell-like tinkling because to the powerful highs and superbly balanced mids. When we combined the findings on our workstation, the bottom end was not dominated by the highs or mids.
The Eight 15 combines a balanced bottom end and midrange with a strong high end. Our tests showed that, notwithstanding a possible minor high-end tilt, the speaker is largely neutral. Our findings are supported by the frequency response graph, which shows a generally flat response with a modest bump at higher frequencies over 8 kHz.
The Celestion Eight 15 more than makes up for its diminutive stature by having the loudest sounding speakers on our list, in our opinion. It has a warm, particularly British vibe thanks to the high-end tilt, which makes it perfect for rock and metal. However, it is not restricted to these subgenres. According to our examination, the Eight 15’s potent bottom end and mids also gave them the ability to compete against clean tones for traditional styles and light distortion for blues. It has a ceramic magnet that, although being a cheap speaker, performs effectively.
Practically anyone who might want a guitar speaker can purchase the Eight 15 for a reasonable price. It has sufficient power for modest performances within your home or at nearby cafes. In the event that your present speaker breaks or ceases working as well as it once did, it also works well as a replacement. The 8-inch powerpack Celestion Eight 15 packs a powerful punch for its size. It has a neutral tone and a distinctly British vibe. It is one of the most cost-effective 8-inch speakers that is worthwhile to get at just $32.50.
Eminence Alpha-8A American Standard Series
- Recommended for pro audio and bass guitar applications as a midrange
- Sealed basket makes this woofer independent of enclosure design
- Designed for power and reliability
It comes close to matching the 820H’s quality but falls short. You might wish to listen to both of them before passing judgement because the Alpha – 8A differentiates itself from the 820H in terms of character. It is absolutely something to think about because it is also marginally more cheap than the 820H. During testing, a very neutral tone with very little upper-middle-range warmth was audible. This, in our opinion, contributes to the Alpha – 8A’s adaptability and elegant appearance. With this equipment, we enjoyed both the overridden and clean speaker shootouts. This essentially implies that you may use this speaker for any style of guitar playing and get consistently good results.
As usual, we saw an essentially flat response when looking at the frequency response curve, with a minor peak in the 2–5 kHz area and a strong decline after 5 kHz. This means that the sound is well-balanced but has less high-end. Eminence has consistently astounded us with their adaptability while maintaining a distinct personality for both the Alpha – 8A and 820H.
The Alpha – 8A is a strong choice if you want to replace the worn-out speaker in your vintage cab with something befitting of a legendary amp and have roughly $70 to spend. The Alpha – 8A’s construction impressed us as being strong and ready for travel. A ferrite magnet is also included with this speaker for added durability and weather resistance.
Only the 820H is a more expensive option in the 8″ speaker category than the Eminence Alpha – 8A. It produces a well-balanced, warm tone that works well for both traditional clean tones and bone-crushing metal chugging. Given the other products in the 8″ series, the price is logically reasonable. Even so, in comparison to the 820H, it falls short.
Jensen Vintage C8R4 8-Inch Ceramic Speaker
- Overall diameter 8"
- Impedance 4 Ohm
- Rated power: 25 Watts
The renowned speaker manufacturer Jensen was established in Chicago, Illinois, in 1927 by Peter Laurits Jensen, a co-inventor of the very first loudspeaker. The business became well-known in the 1950s and 1960s for making some of the top speakers for bass and guitar amplifiers. Even though the Jensen name is no longer in use, CE Distribution still manufactures and distributes Jensen speakers in the US and around the world.
A small but effective instrument in the Jensen line is the P8R8 model. For its size, this speaker generates a strong, clear tone. The item will be a fantastic match for beginners who are just beginning to search for their ideal sound, and it can fit your home amp well.
If you can place a microphone in front of the speaker, it will be able to record a sound with strong highs, muted mids, and rather loose lows that is incredibly powerful. It generates a warm and clear tone by placing focus on the heights, but it is not a bass speaker option.
Buying Guide for Best 8 Inch Guitar Speakers
In the world of guitar gear, the speaker is often an overlooked element. However, it plays a pivotal role in shaping the tonal characteristics of your sound. Selecting the right 8 inch guitar speaker can significantly enhance your musical expression. This comprehensive buying guide will help you navigate your options and make an informed choice.
Understand Your Musical Needs
Before diving into specifications and brands, it’s crucial to understand your musical needs. The right speaker for you depends on your playing style, preferred music genre, and where you’ll be using the speaker. For instance, if you mostly play at home or small venues, an 8 inch guitar speaker with moderate power handling might suffice. However, for larger venues or band practices, you might need a speaker with higher power handling.
Deciphering Speaker Specifications
When evaluating 8 inch guitar speakers, you’ll come across several technical specifications. It’s essential to understand what these mean as they significantly affect the speaker’s performance.
Power Handling: This indicates how much power, in watts, the speaker can handle without distorting. Ensure the speaker’s power rating matches or exceeds your amplifier’s output power.
Impedance: Measured in ohms, impedance is the speaker’s resistance to the electrical signal from the amplifier. Common values are 4, 8, and 16 ohms. The speaker’s impedance should match your amplifier’s output impedance.
Sensitivity: This specification, given in decibels (dB), relates to how loud the speaker can get per unit of power. A higher sensitivity means the speaker will be louder at a given power level.
Frequency Response: This shows the range of frequencies the speaker can reproduce, usually represented as a range (e.g., 70Hz-5kHz). A wider range indicates that the speaker can handle more varied sounds.
Considering Speaker Materials
The materials used in a speaker can significantly affect its sound characteristics. Most 8 inch guitar speakers use paper cones, which are lightweight and provide a warm, smooth tone. However, some models use materials like Kevlar or aluminum for a brighter, more aggressive sound. The choice of material largely depends on your tonal preference.
Evaluating Brands
Several reputable brands manufacture high-quality 8 inch guitar speakers. Among them, Celestion, Eminence, and Jensen have earned significant acclaim for their reliable performance and tonal quality. Listen to several models from these brands to identify the one that best suits your tonal preferences.
Assessing Price and Value
The cost of an 8 inch guitar speaker can vary widely depending on its specifications, brand, and build quality. While it’s essential to consider your budget, don’t compromise on quality for the sake of saving a few dollars. Remember that a good speaker is an investment that can significantly enhance your sound.
Reading Reviews
Before making your final decision, read reviews from other users. This can provide invaluable insights into the speaker’s performance, reliability, and value for money. However, keep in mind that everyone’s musical taste is different, so what works for one person might not work for you.
Trying Before Buying
If possible, try the speaker before you buy it. This will help you get a firsthand experience of its sound and performance. Bring your guitar and amplifier to the store and play some tunes to test the speaker’s capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an 8-inch guitar speaker?
An 8-inch guitar speaker is a speaker specifically designed for use in guitar amplifiers. It produces sound when an electric guitar is played through the amplifier.
Why would I choose an 8-inch guitar speaker over other sizes?
An 8-inch speaker is a compact option that can fit in smaller amplifier cabinets. It is often chosen for its portability and can provide a unique tonal character.
What is the typical power rating for an 8-inch guitar speaker?
The power rating can vary, but common power ratings for 8-inch guitar speakers range from 15 to 30 watts.
What are some popular brands that make 8-inch guitar speakers?
Some well-known brands that manufacture 8-inch guitar speakers include Eminence, Celestion, Jensen, and WGS.
How do I choose the right 8-inch guitar speaker for my needs?
Consider factors such as power rating, speaker type, and the style of music you play. It’s often a good idea to try out different speakers in your amp to find the one that best suits your preferences.