Celestion Peacemaker - Attenuating Speaker

[dk_ace]

This looks interesting….

Peacekeeper - Celestion

The Peacekeeper is a revolutionary new attenuating speaker for guitarists from Celestion. It’s the simplest and most toneful way of being able to dial your amplifier right up to its “sweet spot”, while keeping the decibel levels down. Featuring a unique dual voice coil design, this attenuating...

celestion.com

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[Jarick]

Vaporware ATM

 

[MixMinisterMike]

Vaporware ATM

?

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...0-watt-8-ohm-12-inch-guitar-amplifier-speaker

 

[Warmart]

The problem is, of course, when you don't want to attenuate.

 

[dk_ace]

The problem is, of course, when you don't want to attenuate.

There’s plenty of solutions for that already.

The speaker idea is interesting for a combo amp for lower volume scenarios where you want to streamline the rig. Curious to see what the volume levels are really like and, more importantly, what it sounds like.

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[laxu]

Already a thread here: https://thegearforum.com/threads/ce...r-for-low-volume-cranked-tube-amp-tones.7670/

Maybe mods can merge.

 

[laxu]

There's a few reports on TOP. To me it seems like it's just too low volume where you really lose the ability to get loud at all unless you are using them in a 2x12 with a higher power amp.

It seems like a speaker designed entirely for very volume limited situations at home. Maybe it performs better at those volumes than other speakers do.

So far my experience that for truly great sounds, you need an average volume level of about 85-90 dB @ 1m. Doesn't matter if you use a Fryette PS, master volumes, power scaling etc. The sound just comes more alive when you reach about those volumes and anything below is increasing compromises.

 

[Chocol8]

I think it is a really silly and limiting way to achieve lower volume. You are much better off building a JohnH attenuator for less $$$ or buying the Frommel Lotus version for a bit more.

You get a wider range of attenuation, you can move it between amps, and you can use it with any speakers you want. That last point is huge to me because speakers are a very powerful and important tone shaping tool. Celestion makes so many variations themselves because they sound different. The attenuated speaker only can sound like one variation at only one attenuation level. Yuck!!!

 

[Jarick]

It may be kind of cool if you wanted a grab and go combo at low volume? Or if you need a speaker and know you'll only be low volume. But yeah it seems a bit odd.

I haven't seen any videos or reviews or hands on experience outside the announcement.

 

[laxu]

I think it is a really silly and limiting way to achieve lower volume. You are much better off building a JohnH attenuator for less $$$ or buying the Frommel Lotus version for a bit more.

You get a wider range of attenuation, you can move it between amps, and you can use it with any speakers you want. That last point is huge to me because speakers are a very powerful and important tone shaping tool. Celestion makes so many variations themselves because they sound different. The attenuated speaker only can sound like one variation at only one attenuation level. Yuck!!!

Counterpoint: You can move the same cab between any amps too, and you don't have the compromises of a loadbox but a direct amp -> speaker connection. Soundwise, all that matters is that you like how the speaker sounds. If you do, there's no need to look for a different speaker.

That said, it's definitely a product for a very specific customer.

• You want specifically low home volumes, and nothing else with that cab. Maybe you have a "home cab" vs "band practice/gig cab".
• You insist on using a non-master volume amp.
• Your amp is <40W to work with the speaker's 50W power handling, or you are willing to spend the money for a 2x12 with these speakers.

I liked the Eminence FDM design a lot more because it was adjustable between 91-100 dB sensitivity, even if it did change the sound a lot.

 

[Chocol8]

Counterpoint: You can move the same cab between any amps too, and you don't have the compromises of a loadbox but a direct amp -> speaker connection.

What do you think those compromises are that are not compromises with this speaker? Not talking about common crap load boxes or attenuators, but specifically compared to one that matches a proper impedance curve.

From a technical/engineering perspective there is no benefit. Actually, has anyone published an impedance curve for the Peacekeeper? It could be worse.

From a flexibility standpoint this speaker is a big loser. Those of us who like older amps or older circuits do so because we are particular about the tones from those circuits. I don’t see going through the trouble of being an amp “purist” just to play it through whatever generic low output speaker happens to be available. The people who care about vintage or vintage copy amps are also interested in vintage or vintage copy cabs and speakers.

So add to your bullet points…

• Insists on NMV amps but doesn’t care at all about how a speaker influences tone
• Prefers to pay more for less, much more $$$ for amps that can output more than 50 watts, which is almost any tube amp rated for 30 or more.
• Has a hard wired combo and can change a speaker but not smart enough to convert to a jack and plug.

I am sorry, but the target market for this speaker is people who simply don’t know better. It’s not really a good solution for anyone.

 

[laxu]

What do you think those compromises are that are not compromises with this speaker? Not talking about common crap load boxes or attenuators, but specifically compared to one that matches a proper impedance curve.

Any attenuator is going to be a compromise in that regard. You also lose the "use whatever cab you want" because that cab usually has its own behavior too. Even on adjustable loadbox attenuators like my Fryette PS I find that I need to use a bit different settings if I want to match a particular cab better.

From a flexibility standpoint this speaker is a big loser. Those of us who like older amps or older circuits do so because we are particular about the tones from those circuits. I don’t see going through the trouble of being an amp “purist” just to play it through whatever generic low output speaker happens to be available. The people who care about vintage or vintage copy amps are also interested in vintage or vintage copy cabs and speakers.

So add to your bullet points…

• Insists on NMV amps but doesn’t care at all about how a speaker influences tone
• Prefers to pay more for less, much more $$$ for amps that can output more than 50 watts, which is almost any tube amp rated for 30 or more.
• Has a hard wired combo and can change a speaker but not smart enough to convert to a jack and plug.

I am sorry, but the target market for this speaker is people who simply don’t know better. It’s not really a good solution for anyone.

I think there's plenty of people out there who fit into:

• Chases tones of players who are known for using NMV amps. Jimi, SRV, EVH etc.
• Has deep pockets to afford Germinos or handwired Marshalls or whatever.
• Wants to run those amps at volumes they can use at home.

A 2x12 with Peacekeepers is probably similar pricing to a Fryette Power Station PS-2. I think this group of people often sees any extra devices as compromise of their own, so from their point of view plugging direct into a cab might be seen as a plus. Whether they like the sound of the speakers...well, that's always the question.

I think it's also pretty clear that a lot of people don't understand the importance of cabs and speakers. Hell, it took me years too. A lot of the talk is around amps because cabs are not exciting as products. It's a varying dimension wood box with a known speaker model.

It would be good for Celestion to pair up with say Marshall to get some cabs with the Peacekeeper on the market so people can just buy one to try, or try one in a store.

For the record I'm not interested in buying these speakers. I'm fully in the "high power master volume amps are awesome" camp. I'm merely providing a different point of view on why someone might want these speakers.

 

[Chocol8]

I think it's also pretty clear that a lot of people don't understand the importance of cabs and speakers. Hell, it took me years too. A lot of the talk is around amps because cabs are not exciting as products. It's a varying dimension wood box with a known speaker model.

I agree, but these people are not the ones chasing classic NMV tones. They are people buying modern combos, or modern MV amps with matching cabs, and the brand and visual matching are what they know and think about.

People who are chasing classic Fender, Vox or NMV Marshall tones tend to be very well aware of the different original speaker options and the different modern new build options. Especially the people into vintage stuff. No one is spending the money on a tweed, brown or BF Fender and not considering what speakers are currently in it, and they certainly are not thinking about throwing in some Celestion offering without thinking about what it will sound like. Same with people buying vintage Marshall cabs. The speakers are a huge part of the value of these things so buyers are very well aware.

If you can use a soldering iron and a screwdriver, a few resistors, an inductor and a switch can give you a 14 db reduction without messing up the impedance curve, and unlike this speaker, it can be switched on and off. You can build it into an amp or cab or have it in a separate box. I see no reason this speaker is a good choice for anyone or any situation, other than not knowing about the better options out there.