big subs vs little subs
 

which is better?

a couple big subs or a lot of llittle subs

Size doesn't matter.........J/k

I always perfered 10" subs for a little tighter cleaner bass than say the 12" or 15" subs. But then it has been a really long time since I have bought anything like that. It also depends on how much room you want the speakers and enclosure to take up.

Big subs will be better for spl(louder) & smaller subs will be better for sq(more accurate bass responce & tighter bass).

The main T/S parameter for determining how loud a sub will go is Vd (Volumetric displacement). This is equal to Sd X xmax, where Sd is cone surface area. So in others words the primary factors in how loud a sub will go is how big it is and how far it moves.

Then keep in mind Sd is surface area which is proportional to r^2, so 2" increase in diameter is 1.44 times or almost 50% more surface area. All boils down to it requires 3-10" subs is roughly equal 2 12" subs.

lol rkostolni - I think you kinda overdid it. If he's asking which is better, I seriously doubt he's gonna be able to understand more than 5 words out of your whole post.

To simplify things (quite a bit, actually, but good enough for a general overview), a smaller sub gives you a "tighter" response - ie it's more accurate and punchy (the bass notes from a double pedal bass drum will easily be distinguishable). A larger sub is a bit more sloppy (those double notes will tend to blend into a single note), but it can play lower frequencies (the bass most commonly associated with hip-hop / rap music) better.

www.caraudioforum.com is a great place to learn about all this, as is this site: www.bcae1.com

I think you can get excellent SQ and accuracy out of a good 12" as long as its designed properly. Cone material is a big contributor to how accurate a sub will be. For example. Paper flexes and is less accurate the bigger you go, but metal doesn't flex much and will remain rigid. I bet you cannot tell the difference in accuracy between a jl 10w7 and 12w7. They use a W shaped mounting technique to ensure cone rigidity by supplying support in the center and sides.

But if your using cheaper subs, then yes the 10" will probably be more accurate than a 12". Just listen to them in the store first.

Note: The amp and box contributes as much if not more to how accurate the sub sounds.

I was making a generalization, since he didn't seem to know a whole lot about car audio. Yes, there are a million exceptions to that, and really it's 90% install anyway, but in general my statements hold true.

I'm sorry, I must be missing something here. If there are many exceptions and it's really 90% install anyway, then no in general your statement ISN'T true.

looks like we got a fight brewing

No, I'm just pointing out the inherent contradiction in the guys comment.

ok just keep it civilized ,i let one out of control once and the thread was closed and i got a warning

You must be. Let's change the scenerio:

In general, an RX-8 is faster than a CRX. I think you'll agree that's true, yes?

But there are ways to get that CRX to win the race: for example
1) stick a really bad driver in the RX-8
2) mod the hell out of the CRX and race a stock, AT RX-8

But note that these are exceptions to the norm, thus IN GENERAL, the RX-8 is faster.


Now, let's go back to subs. There were 2 statements I made.

1) a 10" sub will be play more accurately than a 12"
2) a 12" sub can play lower frequencies than a 10"

I will leave it for you to verify #2 - just look at the TS specs of many different 10s and 12s. There will be exceptions, but IN GENERAL the 12 will play lower.

As for #1, take both a 10 and a 12 and play them free air, and tell me the 10 isn't more accurate. Now yes, you can take a RoadGear 10" POS vs. a 12w7 and the 12 will win, obviously. I'm talking about subs in the same class)

Now, you can put the 10 in a big bandpass box, and the 12 in a small sealed enclosure, and the 12 will be more accurate. But again, this is a specific example and I was talking about a generalization.

In short, fenderlover didn't give us enough information to make anything but a general statement. And the only way to really make such a statement is to remove all the external influences from the scenerio (it, consider them as if they were playing free-air, @ sea level, etc)

As I have been reading this thread I have found many inaccuracies. Not to point fingers at all, but here is a couple of things for you fellows to ponder.

- a 4" speaker can play as deep as a 15".
- a 15" sub can be more accurate than a 10".
- bigger does not necessarily mean louder or better.
- a larger number of smaller subs provide a greater surface area than a smaller number of larger subs in the same area.

basically i have decided the type of sub i want. a jl audio w7. now i'm trying to figure out which one to get
8w7?10w7 12w7? 13w7

also i would like to have to to put in the spare tire area or on teh sides. i think that would look good

any post is a good post

I've always went with JL Audio. I would think 1 12" would do pretty good.

i really want to try to put a 13w7 in and hopefully 2 of them but size comes into account

Space for enclosure and weight would make me consider other options. This much weight that far back will no doubt have a nasty effect n how the car drives.....just something to consider.

I have 2 Boston 12's but I think I'm going to switch to 1 JL 12w7.

y the switch and y not 2 12w7

A 13w7 will not fit height wise. I highly recommend 1 12w-7. Believe me, it is loud.

Switch because the Bostons just don't give enough oomph and 1 12w7 is plenty loud never mind space considerations.

what is the differense in 12w7 versus 13w7 is it just loud? is the 12 better sounding

hey fender, i think that you need to visit a specialty retailer, and have them audition some equipment for you. without talking to someone and actually checking out the equipment in person, you will not be able to make an informed decision as to what to get

k thx


feel free to use this threead to ask sub questions

Ok. Im gonna throw something out there. Please pay attention. 80% of bass from your system relies on the box. You can go witha 10" in a nice ported box and it will sound like a 12" in an enclosed box.

Size does matter but boxspac matters even more. I would reccomen you go online and look at sub box diagrams to make sure your fitting the box to your car rather than the speaker. You will be happier in the long run and have a much cleaner look as well.

Soon I am goin to make a custom box for this car to fit 3 JL Audio W3's. Im goin to go a little overboard and use some stucco and some other good stuff. I will take a picture when I am done and post it. Not sure if I want to actually use it yet or sell it. Ill keep you posted.