Ive never tried them back to back, but thats what you gotta do really. I own 2 closed back 4x12's and i love em. I play hard rock. But if you are really looking for a tone just go to your nearest guitar center and ask them to put them back to back with the same amp. Ive heard people say that the open back has more low end but i dont know if thats true. Seems like from my experience with open back vs closed back the speakers push the sound more with closed back, where as open you have some escaping through the cabs rear end. Im just guess the extra back port creates a sort of subwoofer for the cab, but like i said thats a shot in the dark. If you want to know try em out.