2x12 or 2x10 1xBIG 12 - What Would You Prefer?

[sweefu]

Just a thought guys, haven't seen a thread like this for a while and i thought i'd get some opinions.

Would you prefer say, 1 Soundstream Reference 12", 600wrms sub

Or

2 12" Kenwood/pioneer ~350wrms each subs?

Or

2 10" again ~350wrms each subs?

I know its hard to say due to different tastes in music etc, but post up your thoughts!

[JonnyDe]

Ive thought the same question. Cause isnt sound vibration, and the more surface area of the sub, the more air you are moving. So i was to belive that two 12s would be better than one 15. but ive heard thats not the case.

I know rwms has stuff to do with it too. Ive just never really understood it

[ethann]

I used to have a 15" 200 maybe 400 rms or something (Oldie) sub, I thought that was alright, Wasn't loud but sounded alright.
Bought 2x12 Soundstreams, Can't remember really what they were lol. PW series maybe?? =s I thought they were awesome, Really bumped my old Seca.

Then I had a single 12 Pioneer champion series in my old cielo for a few weeks, Sounded good in a little car.

Then I bought my IDMAX 12. IMO this thing owns my old 2x12 set up. I love it haha.

[StoneX]

For quality, one good 12". For just loud average bass, two cheaper 12's.

I ended up with two good quality ones (IDMAX 12's) for quality sound and that little extra loudness

[Timmos]

If you want BIG bass, go 2 12"s or 15"s.. If your just after a good sound, go for the 600watt 12".

[sweefu]

Thanks for the input,
Is no one thinking 2x10's would be good?
Cheers.

[2DIE]

A 10" and a 12" are nice, 10" give the kick and punchy bass, 12" give the rumble. 15s are nice for the low low bass but unless you have a 10" or 12" as well you will miss out on all the mid frequency bass.

If size was not a problem I would go for a 15" and 2 x 12", at the moment I just have 2 x 12" but thinking of changing one for a 10"

[ethann]

Really depends what you listen to aswell. I've heard some 2x10 set ups that are amazing.

[StoneX]

A 10" and a 12" are nice, 10" give the kick and punchy bass, 12" give the rumble. 15s are nice for the low low bass but unless you have a 10" or 12" as well you will miss out on all the mid frequency bass.

If size was not a problem I would go for a 15" and 2 x 12", at the moment I just have 2 x 12" but thinking of changing one for a 10"

This is plain bad advice... No one take it seriously, please.

The 10" being punchy and 12" being rumbly is rubbish. If you buy a 10 and 12 of the same model and compare them you'll notice that the 10 is a little quieter and doesn't have as much low bass. Other than that they'll pretty much sound identical.

Some 15's can play higher bass frequencies, you need to look at their frequency response graph. I've had high end 15" subs that were put in boxes to make them punchier sounding that 10" subs. The box makes a massive difference to the type of bass you will have as well.

Don't mix different size subs.

[Deutscher]

This is plain bad advice... No one take it seriously, please.

The 10" being punchy and 12" being rumbly is rubbish. If you buy a 10 and 12 of the same model and compare them you'll notice that the 10 is a little quieter and doesn't have as much low bass. Other than that they'll pretty much sound identical.

Some 15's can play higher bass frequencies, you need to look at their frequency response graph. I've had high end 15" subs that were put in boxes to make them punchier sounding that 10" subs. The box makes a massive difference to the type of bass you will have as well.

Don't mix different size subs.

Definately listen to StoneX.

I'd definately go with 2x12's or single 12 with plenty wrms. I got 2x 10" Alpine S in my MR2.. just not a fan of 10's ... they just so small XD. Usually the bigger the cone the more they handle... comparing same model subs (xmplar 10's - 1500wrms, 12's 2500wrms*, 15's 3000wrms).

Also depends on the car. I had a Hifonic Olympus 2412 (2400wrms 12") in my calais (in the boot)... and I think my 2x Alpine 10's are as loud (think 350wrms ea?) in my MR2 because they are behind the seats).

[HCVP]

I don't realy understand the comparison though.The sub, size, and enclosure, should be chosen to compliment your music taste.Not always easy when you listen to a wide variety of music.A 12'', is usually considered a good allrounder though.

2 cheap sub's against one good sub dosen't even compare IMO.You can't subsitute quality, with quantity.
But it really will come down to your taste in music.

When i was a die hard techno fan, i had 2 Blaupunkt Velocity 10's, in seperate sealed enclosures.This was in a VW polo. That setup also played rock/metal extremely well also, double kick drums were absolutely awesome on that setup.

I then switched to a 15'' SoundStream SPL in a ported enclosure.Great for rap, RnB, and any sort of "sub test" tracks i could find.Asking it to play anything with a fast beat, or bass line, was asking too much.

So, i went with the good all rounder, the 12''.I went with an Apline Type R, as chose a sealed application for that one this time around.It didn't play as low as the 15'' obviously, and it wasn't as quick in response as the 10's, but it would play a wide variety of music, and would do it fairly well.

As for your other question about anyone a fan of two 10's, i am, but only for certain applications, and in small vehicles(such as my 3dr Polo).

[Vg-ute-mad]

This is plain bad advice... No one take it seriously, please.

The 10" being punchy and 12" being rumbly is rubbish. If you buy a 10 and 12 of the same model and compare them you'll notice that the 10 is a little quieter and doesn't have as much low bass. Other than that they'll pretty much sound identical.

Some 15's can play higher bass frequencies, you need to look at their frequency response graph. I've had high end 15" subs that were put in boxes to make them punchier sounding that 10" subs. The box makes a massive difference to the type of bass you will have as well.

Don't mix different size subs.

I agree with Stone, as he knows his sh!t!!!

sweefu, are you after sub bass to add some bottom end for sound quality, or are you chasing SPL?

One good quality 12" sub in a sealed enclosure designed to the sub specs, is ideal for SQ. As for thumping bass or SPL, then you are talking about one or two 12" subs in a enclosure with a tuned port suited to the enclosure, and to the sub's specs.

[Nemo316]

I had 2 cheap Kenwood 10's in one of my old cars and they only stayed in there for about a week, I then got one JBL W12GTI it was much better.

[sweefu]

Thanks for the opinions guys.

I've run 12" or 10" before, both fairly crappy. I was content with the 10", then moved to a 12" which i was happy with. My 18th is coming up and i'd like a bit more bass to now i'm not sure what to go with.
Locally i can get a Polk MM 12" or 2xpolk MM 10" .. I go for more SQ but i still love bass.. I just don't want the crazy ghetto bass that you'd get with a huge ported 12" or 15"

Need good response also.

[holden_2100]

i had a single jensen xs1010 10" in my mazda 121 bubble and it shook the car like hell and then i upgraded to twin xs1010's in my toyota corona and its beyond stupid i cant run the without shakin the thing to bits but im more a hardstyle trance techno person myself

it all depends on wat u gonna be listenin to and wat is gonna be runnin these subs