Jensen Jet Tornado neo speaker

[jzucker]

I had a chance to borrow a jensen neo jet tornado which I've put into my quilter blockdock cab. I currently have one with this speaker and one with the Celestion G12H 75 which I really like except for loud cleans. While they are close to the same efficiency, the celestion has more highs and lows. At the tone settings that sound good for jazz with the celestion, the jet sounds a bit sterile and the celestion is noticeably better at fusiony tones. However, if I boost the amp's treble and bass, the jensen can sound similar. It's still a bit on the sterile side by comparison and not quite as good for rock or fusion but at 4lbs, I think it may be a winner. Haven't tried it at a gig or rehearsal for loud clean so I don't know how that will go.
I'm not sure what the difference is between the tornado and stealth tornado.

[jzucker]

i wonder if the parent company who makes this (alto???) is the same company who makes the DV Mark neo speakers.

[Little Jay]

i wonder if the parent company who makes this (alto???) is the same company who makes the DV Mark neo speakers.

Jensen speakers are made by SICA Altoparlanti. They probably also produce the speaker for DV Mark indeed! (Haven't found confirmation yet...)

[jads57]

Used to have one of these Tornado 12" 100 watt speakers. I also found it a bit Sterile sounding,but could be a matter of of using thhe right amp and cab.
While it was better than the Jensen Neo 12, it still didn't have the warmth or minds I was looking for.
Then again an EV12L is pretty flat response and can be cold as well. Perhaps the extra power the EV has helps?

[jzucker]

Used to have one of these Tornado 12" 100 watt speakers. I also found it a bit Sterile sounding,but could be a matter of of using thhe right amp and cab.
While it was better than the Jensen Neo 12, it still didn't have the warmth or minds I was looking for.
Then again an EV12L is pretty flat response and can be cold as well. Perhaps the extra power the EV has helps?

i recently bought an EV 12L after reading Joey G's posts over and over and honestly, it's one of my least favorite speakers ever. EXTREMELY sterile with way too much high end and a mid spike that hurts my ears. At louder volumes I suppose it sounds better but it's definitely not a good speaker for practicing.

[No_Jazz_Guitarist]

I put the Jensen Jet Tornado in the Peavey Bandit 112 ‘red stripe’. It doesn't sound sterile to me.

If it sometimes get a bit spikey there are lots of adjustments on the amp.
Turning the tone knob on the Tele also takes care of it.
I’m very pleased with the speaker.
The amp is lighter too.

[KirkP]

I got a Jensen Tornado 12 a year or so after they came out, and have kept it in in my VSA amp (the model that's sort of a hybrid Princeton and Deluxe). It's very clean at any reasonable volume, has a fairly flat frequency response (for a guitar speaker), and I'd describe it as "neutral" since it have a lot of peaks and nulls that add it's own character. I guess that could be called "sterile". I like it though.

Here's a short demo with an Eastman AR810CE, played through a VSA amp with the Jensen Tornado 12.

I think the 100 watt Tornado Stealth is identical to the Tornado Classic, with the cosmetic change of a bell cover. Jensen also makes Tornado Stealth models with lower power ratings, which I assume is to allow the cones to add some character (distortion) as the speaker is pushed.

[Zhahn]

Hey, JZ.
I did try my Quilter (Mini 101, flat eq’s on Jazz voice, gain on 4-ish) with Tornado, and thought it was neutral, vanilla, and “no-problems”- also means not much fun.
I also thought the inherently scooped Quilter voice didn't match the Tornado for me (being an old Ampegs and Tweed guy).
I do prefer the Copperback to Tornado for Quilter.

For DV Micro Jazz 50 with all eq’s at noon, it was a toss-up between the Jensen and the Celestion for me: both sound good in a different way.
As you know the DV Mark has a darker, more Polytone-like mids than Quilter, and etc,.

I never tried Tornado with Morgan RCA35R, but from my experience with the Morgan, I am not sure if Tornado has the right voicing for it; it might scoop out/accentuate the wrong frequencies, esp. with humbuckers.

Again, I personally would not put Tornado in the Fargen BB, but it would be because;
a. I’m not a BF Fender-type guy.
b. Tornado may “emasculate” (or “sterile”, as you put it) the Fargen.

Just my two-cents.

[Gitterbug]

Some years back, the story goes, DV Mark asked SICA to send some Tornados for testing. They were kindly returned after a few months, followed by the introduction of DV Mark's own Neoclassic speakers. Whether copies or not, only an expert with access to the innards can tell. DV Mark has released next to no information on theirs. With great likelihood, they are made in China or elsewhere in the Far East. In this respect, Jensen is a notable exception. The Neoclassics are extremely light, just 1.5 kg or slightly over 3 lbs, accounting (besides poplar plywood) for the light weight of the DV Mark cabs. What my hasty A/B testing at a guitar showroom has revealed is, I think, that the Neoclassics have a lower sensitivity than the Tornado, i.e. their extra power handling (150W vs. 100W) is needed.

I have installed almost 100 12" Tornados and a dozen 10" Tornados to my TOOB ultralight speaker cabs. Never an issue, never a complaint. When choosing, Tornado was superior to Celestion's Neo Creamback (less of everything at a higher price). The more recent Stealth versions with that Darth Vader -looking oversize bell cover are aimed at the rock crowd. The Stealth 100 is, indeed, the same as the Tornado "Classic". Stealth 80 may appeal to high-gain metal shredders - I have a couple and don't know what to do with them - and the Stealth 60 I had no reason to look into.

The winner for me is the Tornado "Classic" 12. It not just a coincidence that it resides in many boutique cabs, such as Mad Professor's Porter, and Fender's George Benson Signature Twin Reverb.

[jzucker]

thanks for all the info. Is the version I have with the star edges on the magnet (directly exposed) considered "the classic" ?

It seems that the stealth version weighs almost a 1/2lb more and has slightly different specs. Is it really the same speaker as the non stealth version?

[Zhahn]

thanks for all the info. Is the version I have with the star edges on the magnet (directly exposed) considered "the classic" ?

It seems that the stealth version weighs almost a 1/2lb more and has slightly different specs. Is it really the same speaker as the non stealth version?

Sounds like you have an older version from a few yrs ago with “rough” finish.
The newer ones have different magnet design, smooth finish, and supposedly different sound.

I didn’t spend a lot of time with the older version, but ended up with Jensen Blackbird instead, despite the extra couple of pounds of weight.

[jads57]

Jack Z if you like bass response perhaps the Celsestion Redback 150 watt 12" speaker might be for you. I'd love to try the Celestion Copperback 250 Neo 12" speaker.

[jzucker]

Jack Z if you like bass response perhaps the Celsestion Redback 150 watt 12" speaker might be for you. I'd love to try the Celestion Copperback 250 Neo 12" speaker.

I really like the weight of the jensen neo. Joey G hated the copperback

[jads57]

Who's Joey G? I find it really depends on the cab and amp head when auditioning speakers. But then again you and I have different opinions of certain speakers. Best luck in your search and sell me your leftovers anytime,lol!

[KirkP]

thanks for all the info. Is the version I have with the star edges on the magnet (directly exposed) considered "the classic" ?

It seems that the stealth version weighs almost a 1/2lb more and has slightly different specs. Is it really the same speaker as the non stealth version?

Mine is the first generation with the star shaped magnet. Later they switched to a cylindrical magnet and renamed it the “Classic”. I assumed the change was cosmetic. The Jensen web site says the only difference between the Classic and 100 watt Stealth is cosmetic. I think the spec sheets line up, other than the added weight for the cosmetic cover. I think the cover is for people who want their friends to think they have alnico speakers. :-)

I love the weght. The GB Twin Reverb with two Tornados is spec’ed at 50 lb, vs. 64 lb for a new ‘65 Twin Reverb with a pair of Jensen C12Ks.

[jzucker]

Who's Joey G? I find it really depends on the cab and amp head when auditioning speakers. But then again you and I have different opinions of certain speakers. Best luck in your search and sell me your leftovers anytime,lol!

joey goldstein

[jzucker]

i used the jensen on my gig last night and it sounded good. I don't like it quite as much as the Celestion G12H-75 but the weight wins out for me. And it sounds very good with my fargen and morgan. Not as good as the celestion, mind you but good enough. On this particular gig I was running stereo with 2 amps so I'm not sure how it fares in a loud rehearsal by itself. That's the true test...

[DaPapa]

I'm not sure what the difference is between the tornado and stealth tornado.

Hi, first post here as Im looking for all the info on Jensen Tornado speakers for my Egnater Tweaker 15 amp. According to the TAD (tubes/valves) website in Germany the Stealth 100 has a bit more Mid push a bit more British sounding. I assume thats why it is a bit stronger in the db loudness (more Mids) than the Classic Tornado 100.

Copied from their website;

"Stealth 100 - derived from the original Jensen Tornado used in the Fender® GB Signature Twin Reverb®, among others, with an added stylish bell cover on the magnet assembly. This speaker offers crystal clear, clean tones accented by shimmering highs with each note sounding tight and well defined.
Compared to the George Benson Tornado, the Stealth 100W sounds a bit more British!"

[jzucker]

here's an update for me. I had them in 2 cabs and a combo amp. They are all gone. The paltry weight savings in a cab (< 5lbs) was not worth it. I do think they are the best neo speakers for guitar but extremely inefficient and I had to turn the amps up much louder to get the same volume and when they get loud with a clean sound and med-heavy strings, they mush out. I've since, switched back to celestions. The G12H-75 in my combo amp and the 2 cabs now have Celestion Alnico 90s in them. Both, much more efficient, less mushy and better sounding for all genres than the neos. It's not worth the 5lb IMO...

[Zhahn]

..... inefficient and I had to turn the amps up much louder to get the same volume and when they get loud with a clean sound and med-heavy strings, they mush out.

Ah, Thought you might run into this type of situation. Celestion’s efficiency (especially in the treble) combined with their full-mid voicing can deliver the volume and tightness in high db situations. I find the typical Celestion voicing particularly useful in modern/fusion context for that reason.
I like Tornado’s softer treble and scooped mids for certain applications, but thought these characteristics wouldn’t work for Fargen or other BF Fender type circuits as well as Celestion.
I did go through similar experiments several years ago, though not exactly the same speakers or amps.
Hence my suggestions regarding Tornado and Fargen a few months back.

..I've since, switched back to celestions. The G12H-75 in my combo amp and the 2 cabs now have Celestion Alnico 90s in them. Both, much more efficient, less mushy and better sounding for all genres than the neos. It's not worth the 5lb IMO...

How would you describe the difference between 12GH-75 and Creamback Alnico, in terms of general characteristics?
Also, have you compared the Creamback Alnico and other high-powered alnicos like WGS BlackHawk HP, Jensen Blackbird, Fane, and etc.?

[jzucker]

I guess i don't quite understand the physics of why almost all the neo magnet speakers have such low efficiency. I would think the more powerful magnet would allow for increased efficiency. In almost every case, the comparable neo speaker is 1/2 the sensitivity of it's ceramic counterpart. The G12-H75 and the neo creamback are another example of this.

[Gitterbug]

It's a hard act to follow an opinion-leader if he, like Mr Zucker on this particular matter, changes course every few months. I agree with him in that the Tornado Classic is the best Neo speaker there is. I disagree on its efficiency: the graphs show 95-107 dB SPL across the range. The Celestion's curve is more uneven and only marginally higher at the treble end. But it takes only 75W against the Jensen's 100W. What's wrong with cranking up the amp a bit? The Planet? I pity anyone who has to play on so high volumes that this becomes an issue in the first place. How important are tonal nuances in such a noise inferno? Finally, 5 lbs +/- is not "paltry", if you are an urban warrior dependent on public transit day in, day out.

For those who keep wondering: I have the factory's word that the Stealth 100 is exactly the same inside as the Classic 12" Tornado.

[Zhahn]

I disagree on its efficiency: the graphs show 95-107 dB SPL across the range. The Celestion's curve is more uneven and only marginally higher at the treble end. What's wrong with cranking up the amp a bit?

I don’t think the nominal efficiency published by manufacturers means/matters as much as the actual perceived volume on stage which is affected by so many factors such as cab design, amp circuits paired with the speaker, room acoustics, and etc,.
What complicates these reviews even more so is the tonal preference of the user/reviewer. The general perceived volume is greatly affected by how one hears his/her tone and eq’s the amp accordingly.
I can see how two people can have very different ideas/opinions about the same product, depending on their approach to sound and music, as well as the application of the product.

Finally, 5 lbs +/- is not "paltry", if you are an urban warrior dependent on public transit day in, day out.

I tend to obsess with reducing weights on my gear, despite the fact that I never haul amps by public transit. It is again the personal preference/priority issue, but I did replace the CRex with the Tornado for example, primarily due to the weight savings of less than 5lbs, despite the fact that CRex was more efficient than the Jensen.
The difference in tonal characteristics of the two were strictly matter of personal preference-each with strengths and weaknesses.

So I guess, to each his own....

[KirkP]

I guess i don't quite understand the physics of why almost all the neo magnet speakers have such low efficiency. I would think the more powerful magnet would allow for increased efficiency. In almost every case, the comparable neo speaker is 1/2 the sensitivity of it's ceramic counterpart. The G12-H75 and the neo creamback are another example of this.

I won’t question what your ears are telling you on the bandstand, but Jenson’s sensitivity spec for the Tornado is 98.5 db vs 99 db for the C12K and 97.7 db for the C12N. That’s when putting out 1 watt. Maybe the Tornado compresses more at high power levels, but I wouldn’t think so since it’s rated to handle much more power.
Jensen Loudspeaker Specs

[jads57]

I've found aside found that aside from power handling spec, you never can make a judgement on how a speaker will work for you. At least until you try it in your particular rig.
Unfortunately it can be quite expensive to keep buying them. I will say I've found Neo speakers work best for me in closed back, at least as a 1x12 cab goes.