Peter L. Jensen dedicated his life to innovation and today’s Jensen® musical instrument speakers continue the essence of that innovation. Peter L. Jensen was born in 1886 in Denmark and came to America in 1909. He was instrumental in the development of the "Magnavox", the first loudspeaker. Magnavox speakers were predominantly used for public address systems and were first used in 1919 to amplify President Woodrow Wilson's speech in San Diego. Peter Jensen later founded Jensen® Radio Manufacturing Company and produced speakers for both military use and radios.

In the mid-1940’s Leo Fender developed one of the first guitar amplifiers and chose Jensen® speakers for their excellent tone. Throughout the 1940’s, 1950’s and most of the 1960’s, Fender®, Ampeg®, Gibson® and all the other major amplifier companies used Jensen® musical instrument speakers until Jensen® stopped making them in the late 1960’s.

In the late 1990’s, under a licensing agreement, SICA Altoparlanti, an Italian speaker manufacturer, commenced production of the legendary Jensen® speakers. These Jensen® reissues are made to the same specifications as the original Jensen® speakers used by Leo Fender and others.

The Jensen® name is synonymous with classic vintage tone, and is the pioneer in modern state-of-the-art speakers today.

Speakers can change your tone

Musicians are always looking for the right tone and may spend a lifetime trying to find it. There are many ways to alter tone. The obvious ways include the use of a different guitar, amp or effects pedal. You can greatly improve your tone by making some basic changes to your equipment, such as changing guitar pickups or using different tubes. These changes require some technical know-how.

The easiest way to change the sound of your amp is to change the speakers. This is simple and you do not need to be technically inclined to do so.

Changing the speakers in your amp can alter your tone more than any other modification, bringing new life to your amplifier. You may find it so easy that you will even want to change your speakers based on the type of music, gig, or venue you are playing. By changing your speakers, you can make your sound similar to your favorite player or you can experiment and create your own tone.

There are many different types of speakers - different sizes, impedances, wattages, and magnet materials. Deciding which speaker to use can be a complex decision. We will try to simplify it for you.

Size

The most popular guitar amplifier speaker sizes are 8”, 10”, 12” and 15”. There are also 18” speakers, which are used primarily in PA and bass cabinets. Since most of you are replacing speakers that are already in an amplifier, we do not recommend choosing a different size than what your amp is drilled for or already using.

Impedance

Impedance is measured in ohms. It is important that the output impedance of your amplifier matches the equivalent impedance of your speakers. Your amplifier may have an impedance switch on the back allowing you to switch between 4, 8 and 16 ohms. If your amp uses multiple speakers, you will have to wire the speakers for an equivalent load impedance that matches the amplifier’s output impedance. (Click here for speaker wiring diagrams).

Wattage

The wattage of your speaker is primarily determined by the diameter of the voice coil and the weight of the magnet. Generally a larger voice coil and heavier magnet can handle more power. Your amp set-up is generally most efficient when you match the wattage of your amplifier with the wattage of the speaker. This is ideal, but in some cases you may want a speaker with a higher wattage than the amp. This would lower the overall amp output, but may increase the low frequency response.

Though it is not recommended (due to the potential for speaker malfunction) you can use a lower wattage speaker in a higher wattage amplifier to achieve higher speaker distortion. Keep in mind that the total power handling wattage is the sum of all the speakers. For example, two 50 watt speakers can handle 100 watts from the amplifier.

The three different types of materials used in speaker magnets are Alnico, Ceramic (Ferrite) and Neodymium. Each material has a different effect on the tonal characteristics of the speaker.

Alnico, the original magnet material used in speakers, produces a classic tone. Alnico magnets tend to be a bit more expensive due to their cobalt
element. These speakers sound warmer and sweeter at lower volumes and many musicians feel they react faster to the player's touch.

Ceramic magnets were developed as an inexpensive alternative to Alnico. These speakers have a few advantages: they do not cost as much, are more versatile and create a wide range of tones. Both the Vintage and MOD™ ceramic speakers tend to weigh more, generally handle more power and sound better at high volumes.

Neodymium is the newest material being used for speaker magnets. Price-wise they fall between Alnico and ceramic magnet speakers. These speakers respond to a player's touch much like Alnicos and they have a well balanced frequency response. The major advantages of these magnets are weight and efficiency. A neodymium speaker weighs about 50% less than other speakers without giving up power or tone. Neodymium speakers are especially good in large, heavy amplifiers or amplifiers that have more than two speakers.