12s or 15s

[slamn13 10+ year member]

Alright guys, I was planning on putting 15s in my eclipse but I have been told that I would just be better off getting two 12s or even just 10s. They say that it's better sound quality and whatever. Would 15s really sound that bad in my car? Any comments would be great guys. Thanks

Jenn

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[Mark_ab 5,000+ posts]

If you can tell a difference in sound quality between a 12 and a 15 in optimal enclosures with optimal power, OTHER than a superior low end from the 15, then my hats off to you. Stick with the 15's.

 

[violator5spd 10+ year member]

15's would be fine, but I prefer 12's

 

[Mark_ab 5,000+ posts]

What do you think makes a 12 more accurate than a 15? And don't tell me moving mass.

 

[MikeofTulsa Moderator]

here we go again...

 

[ss3079 5,000+ posts]

Originally posted by Goddyd4me here we go again...

Yep...

- Steve

 

[GSteg 10+ year member]

provided with a good BL curve, a larger diameter subwoofer will be accurate. smaller sub tends to have more limited frequencies so it may seem as they hit tighter. a bigger sub will play lower, which will seem as they are more boomy because of the lower end frequencies.

Sound quality- the quality of reproduction of an original source.

if you're going to reproduce music from an original source, chances are that smaller speakers wont' reach some of the frequecies that you would want to reproduce. if you want accurate hitting bass, then don't expect that from a sub. instead, expect them from midbass drivers. the larger the sub you have, the larger the midbass driver you'll want.

 

[Mark_ab 5,000+ posts]

Originally posted by Jmac Moving mass and air resistance ... Or are you going to argue with physics ?

So you're telling me, the increase in Sd from a 12" to a 15" will have such an affect on Mms and air resistance that it will noticably slow down the transient response of a capable driver in an ideal enclosure? uh huh

 

[Mark_ab 5,000+ posts]

Originally posted by Jmac Maybe not to a degree that most people would notice it (Didn't I say that 15" subs could still keep up with music ?), but it would make a difference, though extremely small. However, since 15" subs can usually take more power than their 12" counterparts, this gap is made up for anyways. I said that once you get into the ridiculously sized subs (18", 24", 32", 36", etc.), you start to notice that they can't keep up with fast-paced bass beats.

Try a triple blind test with a 10, 12, and a 15" driver, all in sealed boxes with a butterworth alignment, same power, same amp, same songs, same car. See if you can tell a difference in transients, overhang, and impact. I'd wager the only difference you'd hear is impact and low frequency extension.

 

[GSteg 10+ year member]

those 20"+ subs usually have weak BL. cerwin vega stroker 18" are some of the best sounding 18"er's around

 

[denim 5,000+ posts]

I say get really nice 12 and load them up with some serious power instead of lesser 15's for the same money

 

[Mark_ab 5,000+ posts]

Originally posted by Jmac I'm not trying to start a war here, I'm just saying that the mass of the cone and air resistance affect larger, heavier cones more than smaller, lighter cones based on acceleration, which takes into account both those things.

Yes, I agree completely with you here. However, the degree to which the increase in Mms and air resistance affect the motor (in apt drivers) is minimal and should not translate into lost sound quality.