What's better a tube guitar amp or a speaker guitar amp?
Hello, Joaquin! All tube amplifiers require speakers to produce a sound, whether through a separate cabinet or combined with the amplifier head in a "combo" setup. There is really nothing specifically labeled as a "speaker guitar amp"; perhaps you are asking which is better, as related to a stacked amplifier or a combo. In the most basic form, a closed-back cabinet (as used with a separate amp head) will only project sound through the front of the cabinet; in contrast, the open-back arrangement (typical of a combo amp) is intended to blend in some of the out-of-phase speaker output from the rear of the cabinet. In a smaller setting, the open-back amplifier will mix in nicely with the room ambiance to generate a fuller tone. For larger venues, the closed-back models are more appropriate for better sound projection. If your question is in relation to tube as compared to solid-state amplifiers, most guitar players would agree that the tube amp has the potential to yield a better guitar tone than the equivalent solid-state model; however, with the right effects and settings, a solid-state amplifier can sound very, very good. Hope some of this helps! Best regards, Dana