Brings me back to being in college in the late '70s/early '80s. I bought a pair of brand new EVM-12Ls at a local store and carried them (I didn't have a car) a mile and a half (2 Km) back to my dorm to load them in a Blackface Twin Reverb that I had just purchased (without speakers). I thought my arms were going to fall off, but I was young, stupid and determined!

The '89 was definitely the best. I was surprised how different they all sounded. I wonder how the new one will sound after breaking in...

1989 EVM is a winner. Mids cut through and it's the most balanced sounding speaker. Thanks Johan!

seriously every time i see a video from you, homie, i'm like "THIS is what i wanna see a comparison/demonstration of!" everything from the editing, to the ideas, recording techniques, to your general candor, is absolutely wonderful. PLUS you're a wicked and passionate guitarist! thanks for doing what you do 💜

What I love about your videos is they are raw and un-sanitized (this is a compliment) you give us an example of the true product not an over produced cleaned up version.

Interesting fact: this channel always has a dedicated video about near each subject I am interested in. Thanks and keep going!

The speaker comparisons are absolute gold. Your glaring indicates the you are probably having a damm good time making p. Well deserved kudos.

On this particular amp with these settings I liked the 89 best. Great vid yet again Johan. Thanks for enlighting us.

For me it was the EVM12L Classic and the 1989 EVM12L, both had characteristics that were very appealing in there own ways, can't help but wonder how they would sound blended together in a mix. Thanks for another awesome and informative video Johan!

Damnit, Johan, isn't it a little sad that I'd rather listen to you test speakers than hear any new band on iTunes? Please quit your job and start making recordings; YOU are the man who can save rock! We need you! Now!

Great, Johan! The 89 one sounded the best!

*insert joke where Johan can make a toaster sound like a '59 Plexi here* Na but seriously great playing and epic tone as always! Personally preferred the 1989 EVM12L. Sounded the most thick yet clear through all the riffs. Keep up the epic work man!

Hi Johan, greatly appreciate your playing tone and videos. Thank you for posting. Just so you know, I did install one of these things in a fender amp way back in 1976. They were around back then.

Great playing Johan. Love your work my friend.

Great video and great playing as always! You do a great job creating the perfect enviroment for these test and the results speak for themself, thanks for making these!

Great video as always. I really enjoy the speaker comparisons.

Timestamps : riff 1 1:39 1989 EVM12L 1:51 2017ish EVM12L Classic 2:04 EVM12L Series II 2:21 Early 1980s Fender EVm12F 2:34 1983 EVM12L Solo 2:48 1989 EVM12L 3:53 1983 EVM12L 4:59 2017ish EVM12L Classic 5:29 EVM12L Series II 6:17 Early 1980s Fender EVm12F riff 3 7:09 1989 EVM12L 7:17 2017ish EVM12L Classic 7:26 EVM12L Series II 7:34 Early 1980s Fender EVm12F 7:40 1983 EVM12L

89 - Sounds superb, excellent classic rock sounds!

This is, without a doubt, the best amp/speaker combination I've heard you test so far. I love EVs, but they are hard to come by these days, very expensive, and heavier than a tank.

As always : very interesting, thank you johan! my fav: 2017ish EVM12L Classic

Never heard of it before, thank you for doing this!

Excellent comparison as always!

I bought guitar cabinet with two 1989 EVM12L for 200€. Thanks for your test :)

I have many EVM12L IRs on my Axe-Fx 2! I can't wait to check them out! I'll be happy if they sounded HALF as good as how you made them, great video as always! :D

The Fane Studio 12L is a magnificent version of the 12L type speaker. The response is some what flatter (graphs of both are online) Amps may come and go these Fanes are forever. Hard to find in North America expense and worth every penny. Awesome content on your channel Johan thank you very much! :)

I think one reason they’re so great is they all have great definition and they take a beating.

89 is my favorite in this shootout. Nice balanced overall tone.

Definitely the 83 and the 89 in my ears . Thank you Sir. Always enjoy your video.

1983 EVM L sounds awesome. I had one and it covered Hard Rock and amazing Cleans.

Great video! I have a Mesa Electra Dyne that came with an EVM 12L Proline 300w speaker. I’m amazed at how much low end and high end the speaker can handle. I never knew these speakers existed.

The 3 from the 80's sound best to me. Those are most likey broken in the best. The 2017 version still sounds stiff; new. Again, thank you for your demos. Each has helped me to steer my way through the mountains of gear I long for. Cheers!

The 1989 12L sounds outstanding. The Series II and the 1983 are the next two I'd pick. Disappointed by how the Classic sounds compared to those other three I mentioned. Was not wild about the 12F. Thanks for posting this video.

the 1989 sounds so alive and lush full of overtones. I love it. even while looking at another tab i knew when the 1989 came on. Instant gratification. Great Demo!

The 89 and the 83 a close second. Both these older speakers leave the 3 newer EVs in the dust. I thank you for the nicely done comparison videos and suggest it would be very useful to hear the speakers with a clean tone. Soft chords and/or single Jazz lines.

Revisiting this video because I love the EVM12L so much! They came out in the mid '70s. I tried to buy an SRO15 in about 1975 and they sent me an EVM 15L instead because the EVMs had replaced the SRO line then. I returned it and bought a 2x15 cabinet with SRO 15s in it. A friend bought a pair of EVM12Ls around that time, but some TL806 cabinets for them and tortured hearing with an Ampeg V4 running LOUD! I've owned quite a few EVs (SRO and EVM) speakers since then...only have two EVM12Ls now...

they are all great speaker variations providing a surprisingly large difference from one another, the 1989, and 1983 both had that classic hair metal vibe, the 89 a little tighter though. great comparison of the different incarnations Johan

The 89 and Fender branded one were unreal

Great Video. Definitely a difference , the 89 is my pick. I purchased a pair of 1987 EVM12L's New from a Mesa Boogie ad in the back of Guitar Player magazine. This was before I even had a Mesa, they were for my Peavy Mace 2x12. But I still have them in a 1989 4X12 Road Ready Cab with 2 Celeston Vintage 30's. I have 2 4x12's with the Metallica V30 top EVM bottom and their my favorite cabs.

I have a classic in my Mesa IIc+. Perhaps it’s worn in nicely. It’s amazing! I did like the 83 here though. Great demo as always Johan

Thank you for this. I was just about to shell out 200 bucks for the Classic model on Craigslist. In my opinion it comes in about 4th place on this list. I had no idea there would be this much difference between the same make of speaker.

Series 2, the 83 and the 89 are my favourites

awesome vids keep them coming

Damnit that's awesome, I was considering one, now I'm sold!!!

Haha I was constantly pausing the video going "What the hell is that pounding noise.. " then I finally realised it's you tapping your foot while you're playing haha :D Great video as always, keep 'em coming.

Really nice sound.

Ty RiffsNReviews for the Time Stamps !!! Cheers Timestamps : riff 1 1:39 1989 EVM12L 1:51 2017ish EVM12L Classic 2:04 EVM12L Series II 2:21 Early 1980s Fender EVm12F 2:34 1983 EVM12L Solo 2:48 1989 EVM12L 3:53 1983 EVM12L 4:59 2017ish EVM12L Classic 5:29 EVM12L Series II 6:17 Early 1980s Fender EVm12F riff 3 7:09 1989 EVM12L 7:17 2017ish EVM12L Classic 7:26 EVM12L Series II 7:34 Early 1980s Fender EVm12F 7:40 1983 EVM12L

The Classic seems to have harsh overtones, whereas the sound of the newer model seems to clean those up. I wouldn't have imagined that there would have been much difference between any of them. Your video shows that there truly is a big difference between them. Thanks for posting Johan.

I have a 1987 Mark III combo with the EVM12L and is an amazing speaker for that amp !

Liked the '89 the best...I've got 2 Mesa 1x12 Thiele cabs with an 80's version and one with a newer Mesa sticker on the back and I have to make sure the the 80's one gets connected to my '79 modded JMP and the other to my Framus Cobra or my set up just doesn't sound right! It's amazing how this speaker can vary in sound...I mean they always sound good but if I have the wrong one to the wrong amp in my rig it just doesn't have the sweet spot. Just recently converted my two oversized Blackstar 1x12 open back cabs to 1x15's with the Celestion Fullback speaker...I was inspired by that newer Friedman 212/215 cab that is the match for the Butterslax head, also from watching your videos that have demo'd 15's Johan...so now I got my wet/dry rig running 1 evm12L and a Celestion Fullback 15 for each head...it sounds HUGE! Thanks Johan

Personally, the Fender branded and the '89 do it for me. That being said, I play an '86 Rivera TBR-1 SL so that's the alley I'm already up, I guess haha Solid demo as always!

The EVM12 series II reminds me a little of the Gauss speakers in the Fender twin that Steve Jones used on the Sex Pistols stuff. I love his tone on those records.

I had expected a bit of a difference here, but hey the difference was HUGE! I like the "EVM 12L Seeries II" a lot but for that true HiGain sound, the 1983 EVM12L totally blew me away!!!

I like the '83 even though it's a little thinner sounding than the '89. It's got a 70's rock vibe to it.

Definitely love the 1989 the best, and a close second on the Fender version, but the EVM12L series II is no slouch, even though in this video I do find them a little lacking in the low mids by comparison. I lucked out getting a pristine pair of those from a dude for under $200 locally. For some stupid reason I still haven't tried them with my Marshall, but they're something else with my 70s Ampeg V4. Johan you really have sent me on a a major speaker kick. I thank you sir. My wife knows who you are now. Lol

It's surprising that they sound so different, and also why does the 1989 sound so much better ? I would be curious to hear them in the recommended tl806 cab. Thanks Johan for the cool playing and reviews !

I have 3 original EVM 12L 1983. The 3 first are from the 001 and 035 serial numbers and the third one is 349. The latter sounds very differently, far more crispy. I don’t know if the sounds color has drifted over time. To my ear it’s difficult to say whether it’s better or worse, but I can say that within this same 1983 reference there can be significant sound differences, almost as big as when comparing it with the 1989 reference.

You could make the opening of an envelope interesting. I have no interest in changing speakers but had to view this video. You resonate with the people Johan!

Thank you Johan! At 7:40 -- waiting for Dirkschneider to start singing... bring on the camo pants!

Killer tone and killer riffs!

Great comparison ! They sound very different : my personal choice would be the '89 , then the '83 model... With the 89 everything is very clear and still with a very "vintage" sound . Thanks !

You have to remember that the lineage of these speakers are not based in them being guitar speakers, they are based in being PA system sound reinforcement speakers... therefore have a far greater power handling capability than most normal guitar speakers for the break-in. the break in period for these speakers is a lot longer because the power handling is so much greater and most guitar amps aren't putting out even close to the amount of power that these speakers can handle.... and as we all know the difference and tonality of a fresh speaker to a broken in speaker is pretty significant. Most guitar speakers we normally use handle between 20 to 70 Watts but these speakers have a power handling capability of 200 Watts so you really need to pump some serious power through these for some significant amount of time to really get them to break in. When I used to work for a well known guitarist who uses these in his 4 X 12's we would actually take PA system power amps and ran pink noise through the speakers in a closed room at skull crushing levels for a couple hours to get the speakers to break in.

OMG! These are the EV’s that I heard about. These were supposedly in Metaltronix cabs if I am not mistaken. Would love to here how they sound clean.

great vids and playing!!! Can you tell me what your favorite all around speaker would be, if there is one?

They all sound different, but all are good imo.

2:48-3:53 - eargasm. That '89 EVM is phenomenal, never heard such clarity and richness in speaker. They all sound good, but that one is a white whale, of course also thanks to Johann and his great playing.

The 5 unlikes to this video are definite proof that there are a few among us who skipped a few evolutionary steps. Sad. Rock on Johann

I've played so many different speakers but always come back to EV's. Played them all through the 80's and haven't found anything that can do what they do. I wish someone would make a neo version. The 10s and 15's make great guitar speakers too, just as good if not better in some applications. The large magnet can contribute to some beaming in a combo amp, Steve Kimock complained about this in the Boogie combos.This problem is lessened with multiple speakers but then you suffer even more from the weight. I have a pair in a 2x12 100 watt combo I built and it is a pain to move around but what a sound! In single 12 configuration the EV TL806 "thiele" cabinet is really hard to beat, 83hZ in 1.3 cubic feet and 190 degree beam width at 400hZ, around 120 degrees for the bulk of the midrange, really fills up a stage for such a small package and seems to help with the beaming issue.

I would like to hear you do a comparison of the EVM12S=short throw. I heard them in a 2×12 cabinet once, briefly, and thought they maybe had some good potential. Also EV vs Peavey Scorpion. Thanks

The 1989, then the current model are my faves.

Great compare as usual, big difference in tonality but all sounds good to my ears. 89 mid sounds scooped and 83 mid sounds bumped.

I'm sure you have your technique, but just in case it helps... when I do similar testing I use a forsner bit and drill 4 holes in a piece of plywood so that the cabinet feet seat in those holes perfectly, I then anchor the plywood and voila. As long as you don't bump the microphone when you pick up the cab (assuming you pick up your cab to remove the speaker) you're guaranteed exact mic placement. I know how much time it must have taken to make this video. I appreciate it! It made me feel good and sort of reaffirmed my decision to buy a couple of 80s model ev12l's, I love em. Now it time for mixing and matching with other speakers, cheers. Thx again!

Johan, you are an amazing player. Personally I dig the '83 sounds raw and cuts right through.

Some models sounds like Greenback. Amazing video man!

I like the 83 and 89. I’d like to hear these up against a Vintage 30, as that’s my favorite.

Really interesting comparison there, Johan. I'd love to hear these vs Greenbacks. These seem to be more scooped than the greenbacks (how I remember them anyway).

Great video!, do you have any opinion about the Celestion S303 (from the 6101 combo) compared to these five ?

Although it seems counter-intuitive, the "Series II" is the oldest of the lot shown (I have 2, bought new circa 1980). These were made in the late 70's and early 80's. They sold with the finned heat sink as shown, which some people took off (eg the ones EV sold to Fender). It appears EV is actually the source of the erroneous information that the 12L started in production in 1983. Those of us who bought them before that know better. The Series II moniker may have been to differentiate it from the SRO, as best I can tell, or the even older coffee cans. The SROs at the time had a similar heat sink, but the 12L had one third fewer fins (16 vs 24). In the 12L Series II box, on the spec sheet, came the note that you could write away for plans for a (computer designed !) 1.3 cubic foot, Thiele-aligned, ported enclosure ("TL 806 Builder's Plans"). These appear to have been the design source for the early Mesa ported 12" enclosures. The heat sink would appear more necessary for a small ported enclosure, like the TL806, than open back cabs (air flow is less of a problem open back; sink adds weight and takes up space). The finned sink was dropped on later versions, as well as on the speakers made for Fender around the time. Btw, the frequency response curve on the circa 1980 spec sheet (for a 12L Series II in a TL806) was jaw-dropping. Dead flat from roughly 80hz to 2Khz (at 120 db SPL !). It was a guitar amp designer's dream. They could then focus on amp tone, knowing that the speaker/cab combination would reproduce it well even at full stage volume.

great video again, Johan.Thx. really surprising they sound quite different. very interesting. The plexi is 100 watt? no MV? through 1 speaker?

Johan! Video suggestion: How would I know when to replace my speakers? If some (same model) are louder than others in my 4x12 does that mean the quieter ones are dying?? Is there a way to test this?

Fun comparison. I wonder how they sound clean though. I'd have really loved to hear a Mesa branded 80's or 90's EVM-12L in there too as it's pretty widely touted in Mesa circles. Not sure if they had any minor tweak to their OEM version or if it would pretty much be like the 1989 one you have here. I also wonder if the differences are mostly due to the amount of play and wear each speaker had during it's life and the deterioration of materials over time (thus just the age) vs. any spec changes, materials differences, etc. I mean, I'd assume the Series II is somehow different than the prior series and hopefully in more ways than the magnet cover, and that one sort of sticks out as most different. But they do all sound different. I can tell you that an EVM12L- classic in a Mesa Thiele cabinet with an open back 19" combo cabinet with Mesa C90 in it sounds huge. That basic combination used to appear in some of the Mesa "halfback" 2x12 and 4x12 cabs and people loved them - other than the weight. Those had an open back and closed bottom (hence "halfback").

I have the 16 ohm Fender 12f and it has an aluminum dust cover. I wonder if that was different between the 8 vs 16 ohm versions, or if one of them (yours or mine) was reconed at some point? In any case, several online sources contend that the 12f is really the EVM-12S Series II, not the 12L. Hard to say.

The EVM 12L is such a beautiful and solid piece of speaker construction - but for the bright, stinging and mostly undistorted tone I love a JBL E130 is the king. My cab w/the Electro Voice just sits there now

I liked the 1989 model the most. The Fender branded speaker was also a pleasant surprise.

Pretty striking how different they are as ostensibly the same speaker

I just bought this JBL G125-8 12" speaker off Ebay. I can't find much info at all on it but let me tell you, you need to find one and test it.. Apparently what little info I could find it was Paul Rivera's choice for the 80's Rivera designed fender amps in the day. I have the L12, D120-F, SRO EV, and a couple Altec Lansings.. This speaker has sparkle and the bottom end at the same time, since I can't find any info I don't know what the power handling is but I did dime my Vintage 65 DR and it was amazing clean with just a hint of hair on the top notes and fat no flubby bottom.. I'm on the hunt for more but seems to be sort of rare..

The classic (newer) and the series 2 are my favs, for different uses. I think I would use all for different purposes. But the most balanced to me are those, for riffing and solos.

Great demo..thanks.Is my Mesa Blackshadow similar model to these?..sure looks like it..cheers

Something that is often either overlooked or underdiscussed with guitar and bass tones is how relative it is to the band youre in. If youre recording at home and have control over the sound of everything happening thats one thing. But most tones come from making your sound audible in the mix when facing a bass player, possible more guitar players,maybe keys too and trying to figure out what sound works with everybody elses sound. Most the bands ive been in stated before i was in the band and everybody else had an established sound i had to fit into. Especially with bass that can lead to tones youd never expect to go for. On their own they can even sound suprinsingly bad, but its all about what sounds remain after the rest of the band filters everything out. Ive had really great speakers that ended up being really difficult to use in a band setting and then i end up using some other speaker i didnt care about because it worked in context.

At the moment I’m using 2 classic’s. But the 89 and the Fender sounded excellent.

Hello Johann, first of all congrats to your videos. Great informative stuff!! I have the EVM12L from 1982 built into a PCL Vintage VA1956 Combo (made in germany). They are great speakers but pretty heavy, so is the amp!! It sounds like your model from 1983. I listened to your comparison and my favorite sound is the 1989 version. The 1983 sounds too bright, almost like a EVM12S. It is interesting because the 1989 should be the series 2 of the EVM12L and when EVM launched it some OEM customers were not happy with that sound so that EVM had to refer back to the original EVM12L model calling it the "Vintage Series" (so the rumors say). Do you have any more information on this topic? Cheers.

about the series II, why there is a red and another in black? is there a difference we should know? the black one im talking about, isnt in the video.

Great demo! 89 is the obvious winner for me. The "Series II" sounded horrible. I have two old Mesa mkIIIs and their original speakers they came with are the EV12L. They sound great. But here's an interesting twist: I'm more of a Marshall guy and have an 87 2555 Silver Jubilee. Today just out of curiosity I decided to test it with both of them connected like an 2X12 cab. The Jubilee which was originally designed with the (then new) V30s sounded insane with the EV12Ls! Amazing sound. If you have one and the speakers as well try it, you may be surprised...

great work! Please do one on Celestion speakers and include new age speakers like Boss waaza etc.

The 89 = wow 👍 (great test 👍) Nice to see and hear my old *fender EV

Johan, curious what your favorite is in this bunch. I’d have to go with the ‘89 as what I think of as a really good sounding EVM. I liked the 87 Series 2 almost as much although it’s quite a different flavor. All the other versions did not sound good to my ears. I would have thought the 83 would have have sounded the best but in this case it was possibly the weakest sounding of all of them. Love the comparison. Thanks!

The EVM12L Series II sounds weirdly close to an Alnico speaker, as well as the Fender one.

Id like to have a cab with this speaker for the highs, 2 vintage 30s for mids and an eminence governor for lows.

I'll never forgive myself for selling the original pair I had in the 80's. Had a them in a Mitchell 212 sand cab, fed by a Mesa M180. I'll buy more some day! Awesome speakers.

The 12f (Fender) seemed much more broken in... Johan you're a madman after my own heart... One thing about these EV's, they weigh a f**king ton! Great for 'Heavy Metal' (cue foghorn) Thanx and... cheers

I preferred the 89. I thought the 83 next, at first, but having listened a few times, I think the Classic (current) model might be closest to the 89, once broken in ... all companies should do the break-in that Scumback does. Incidentally, would love to hear you compare some Scumback models, with the Greenbacks they're supposed to be based on, Jman ... Cheers! K