If I remember correctly, Tim changed his setup from 2 or 3 smaller subs to 1 12":
Has anyone done the same thing?
Any reason you'd choose one over the other?
SQ?
space?

 

it depends on your goal. I use to run multiple subs. I last two builds I have done I have choosen to do a single 12" and have not looked back since. If space is an issue then doing a single would help some it you don't care about space then you can do 2. But now days a lot of subs require such small enclosures that space tends not to be an issue. I would say one good 12 should do the trick but I am bias.

 

people change because this hobby is addicting. you can make 1 sub sound bette than 3, and you can make 3 sound better than one. it all depends on budget and goals for the system.

 

yep, that and the install.

..space and cost is pretty much the main issue.

 

Honestly, I'm not looking for much.
Space is an issue since this is my DD and I need the space for Home Depot runs, luggage, etc.
Cost is an issue because I'm cheap...although you get what you pay for.
That being the case, I should probably spend the same amount of $ for 1-12" as I would intend to on 2-10" so that I can get the most out of it.

 

I switched from 1 12 to 2 10's because I wanted the real estate on the back of the larger sub box for an amp rack.

 

Did you consider one better quality 10 or 8? (for the same price as the 12 or 2-10's you were planning on getting) Or how about one 10 and a better amp (my personal recommendation)?

 

Probably should have added that I already have an Infinity Basslink with my stock HU. No surprise that it's not cutting it...
I'm putting in a new HU soon - hopefully that'll help with it, although I don't expect it to. If it doesn't I might go with a better quality 10"/8" & amp.

 

i say if you're not aiming for serious bass, a good 10 or hell, even an 8 will suit you very nicely.

 

eh throw a single 12 back there. it'll give plenty of bass for the average person.

 

Neil, I went from the 3-8"s to the 1-12" pretty much for something new. I'd had the 8's for about 12 years and wanted to change my setup around a bit. The overall sound is much deeper and more defined over the 8's. I think the multiple sub setup is good for really tight accurate bass, but the 12 does a really good job of getting more of the full-range. I'd probably not go back to that at this point.

 

On your poll, I voted for 2-10's but personally I'd go with one high quality 15.

Full range...15 FTW!

 

I bet if you change that head unit it will give change the basslink's output quite a bit.

 

i went from three tens to a single twelve and got more output all in the design as mendon said.

 

how you been? back home yet?

 

You need to look at what type of bass you are after I know with my two tens they gave me a loud punch where as my two twelves were more of a vibration and rumble if your after in car sound I would opt for the twelve if you want to wake up the neighborhood go with the tens.
Of course twelves go do this as well

Just my personal opinon and experience I'm sure others will disagree with my statements.

 

yeah can i disagree first?

the size of the sub doesn't dictate how it'll sound. a 12 won't necessarily sound more boomy than a 10. true for the other way around...a 10 won't play tighter than a 12, although the 12 might hit the lower notes a little better.

in sum, the install is VERY important on how a speaker will perform.

 

People mislabel the ability to hit lower notes with "boomy" or "not as tight."

 

all depends on what music you listen to and how much room you have for a box.

 

how does sub size depend on the music you listen to?

 

b/c its easier to get a 10" to hit tighter than a 12". Not that a 12" can't hit tight and clean, but the 10" is just easier. Therefore if you listen to rock you would prob rather have a 10" (or more than one) and listening to rap/hip-hop you would prob rather have a 12" (or more than one)

 

the 12" can hit the lower bass that the 2 10"s cant hit

 

heh, sub size has nothing to do with how it performs. my 15 will sound as punchy as a 10.

 

All I'm saying is a smaller sub is easier to make hit tight.

 

In general, smaller speakers move less air therefore producing less SPL. This can be made up for with increased excursion (usually more expensive speakers have larger magnets and longer voice coils which allows for greater excursion). Larger speakers, in general are heavier, which doesn't allow them to respond as quickly due to the increased inertia. Larger speakers have a lower natural frequency which allows them to better reproduce low notes.

I would expect that a heavier speaker cone (or higher resistance surround) would sound "boomier", and a lighter speaker cone (or lower resistance surround) would sound "tighter", but a larger/smaller magnet and bigger/smaller amplifier can alter any of those characteristics.

 

I wish Kevin coulda heard my 2 10's sealed in the max before I had my shivas, then my ava 15...to this day my friends agree the 10s played LNT better than any system they have ever head, and I agree. However, the sealed box qtc was .56 which equated to NONE of the tightness youd expect from 10's.

 

If size didn't matter everyone would be running 2" subs

 

I prefer having 1 sub, regardless of size constraints.

 

who the hell would put 2" subs in their car in the first place?

 

I've had both setups in my cars at some point and I like the way my 10s sounded over the 12"s but like AscendantMax said it's all in the install. I am looking for a new sub stage in my car right and I'm leaning more towards a 12or even a 15. I have a friend who is the manager at a stereo install shop here who is being very helpful with my listening to different setups with 10s, 12s, and 15s. Install definitely plays a very important part in what you want out of the performance of your subs.

 

So you just got a 15 just because it looks cute and takes up a lot of space?

 

Na, probably because he's had about 23432343908 setups to date.

True story

 

I'm surprised so many people voted for 1 -12". Im guessing 2 - 10"'s would be too much for some people who want some moderate base?? I remember having 2 12's in my trunk (Infiniti Kappa's) and it sounded amazing.

 

i had 8s, 10s, 12s, but never a 15...so i figured why not. plus i heard nothing but great things about my sub.

 

I'm a fan of the single sub, especially for a daily driver. One sub can make you deaf, do you really need more?