2 - 10" subs or 1 - 12" (or 1 - 15")?

I couldn't find an old thread on this question. Does anyone know where I can find it?

What's the sound difference (quality, sonic, etc.) between 2 - 10" versus 1 - 12" or 1 - 15", given the same brand, material, etc.?

I prefer 10's over 12's and 15's imo you get a lot better sq with 10's

It all depends on what kind of music you are listening to, and the different subs you are comparing. A 12" kicker L5 or L7 versus a 12" Kicker CVX, is a night and day difference in sound even though they are the same size. What kind of boat are you installing them in?

w3 13

To have the best of both worlds I'd go with a JL 13w6V2. Feed it between 500-1000 watts and you will be in heaven. If you really want to rattle some stuff loose step up to the w7.

i've only heard a 15" in 1 boat and it sounded real sloppy. sounded better in the next boat over.

i like 12-13's too, they hit a little deeper than 10's.

DO NOT i repeat DO NOT buy a 13 inch sub. you will have to have a custom box made for them and thats not cheap unless you do it yourself. go with 2 10"ers and you will be very pleased! if your looking for pure sound and not aton of bass definatley go with 2 10"'s, you will be very please. if your looking for stricktly deafening bass id say go with 2 12" JL Audio for sure good subs!

^^^^ Prefab boxes suck josh you didn't get the memo. I hope you're not buying them awesome boxes they have there at Best Buy...

I prefer 15's

We have a 15 in our boat and its great.

we run just tower speakers and the sub for the system and its
4 - 6'5" speakers -- high end
2 - 8" speakers -- good mid
1 - 15" sub -- great low

its a really nice mix of everything

I generally would pick 12s over 10s or a 15. If you get 1 or more nice 12s set up right it can sound really tight and punchy but still pound and will work well for all types of music. A 15 is generally just too big to put in places and a bit sloppy (in my opinion). That being said, I have gone with 2 10's the last couple installs just due to space contraints.

It's all personal preference and depends HIGHLY on the sub. For example, a not-very capable 10 is simply NOT going to pound, but a cheap 12 can do decent. Just choose a way and rock it. If space is an issue, do 10s.

Danny

Single 12 for me...ported box that is tuned right helps.

nu bu i wouldnt buy anything from best buy other than tv's and movies haha! we do build all of our boxes but some people dont have the tools or capeabilty to do so thats the only reason i said that.

Thanks gents.

I have a jet boat ('06 Yamaha AR230HO), yes a jet boat, which most riders here probably would not enjoy riding behind but it works for our family and it's paid for.

I built a custom sealed box with 2 - 10" Polk feeding off an 800 watts RMS Mono (a basic MA Audio mono amp) but saw in another thread with a larger down firing sub so my curiosity was peaked and wanted to know the difference between 2 - 10" vs. 1 - 12".

I don't have the room so I'd have to go with a sealed box if I build another box and test out a 12".

A JET BOAT!!?? GET OUT OF HERE!!!

I'm sure two quality tens will do the job quite nicely. They will move more air than one twelve.

A twelve will get the job done as well, and IMO it's meeting in the middle between a ten and a fifteen... You get the low bass, but it can still be tight.

I had a Boston Acoustics G5 12" sub and put about 600 watts on it (RMS) and it was awesome.

Show us some pics!!??

IMO. If you plan on running 1 sub go for atleast a 12 but a 15 would be better. If you want to run 2 subs 10's will do okay but 12's would be better. The bigger subs can sound sloppy if the install is sloppy. Get a custom box built to your sub and a good install and you will be happy. It's not always the quality of the equipment that makes a system sound good, the quality of the install accounts for A LOT!

Here is my Yamaha AR230HO.

At McClure


One of my ooppps ...


Lake San Antonio

Damn even with 2 engines how many times did you run over that rope before it looked like that?

I don't have much experience with subs in boats, but I have always run a pair of Xplod 12s in sealed boxes when I've had subs in my car, they go hard even though I was only running a bridged 200w amp to each one. I was planning on putting one of them in the boat since there is a box there already but haven't got round to it yet.

That was only in one engine!!! All it took was a blink of an eye and it was gone. It was wrapped really good on the shaft and I had to cut it in pieces to get it out. The rope was sitting on the front seat when one of the kids wanted to sit down and he just tossed the rope in the water. I didn't know about it and was turning the boat around and it got sucked in. Needless to say, that kid has never been invited since!!!

I may look around for a 12" and build a downward firing sealed box to try it out to see how it sounds compare to the 2 - 10s I have already.


(Message edited by kvoman on December 16, 2008)

A 12" sub built to correct specs will sound awesome in a down firing box.

15 all the way!

Thanks nu bu, I'll give that a shot. I'll get a 12", get the specs and build a box with a +10% volume requirement.

atlmobiuslsv - I don't have room for a 15" at all.

I would check out the JL 10W7. Very clean and still hits hard. You might pay more but its worth the money.

Ouch, I'm sure it's worth the money but I definitely cannot afford that price range.

Down firing subs hit the hardest in my opinion. Placement will be crucial and affect sound greatly. Try moving it around during the install if it will fit in more than one place.