15" Sealed vs. 12" Ported

[sjv13 10+ year member]

Hey guys.

I have a 12" type R (600wrms) being fed by an Alpine mrx-m50 (500wrms) in a ported box built to Alpine's specs for the type r.

I'm thinking about getting a 15" Type R (750wrms) and an Alpine mrx-m110 (1100wrms) and putting it in a sealed box.

I'm thinking this will give me a set up that's louder AND hits harder and goes deeper. Would this be accurate?

And also any comments about the choice of sub and amp are welcome. Just looking for some other opinions before I buy.

Thanks!

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[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

No, not accurate...not necessarily anyway

Why sealed?

 

[BrownVanMan 10+ year member]

you box is custom build for the type r? if its not enough try giving the typr r about 800 watts and youll be happy

 

[sjv13 10+ year member]

I've been reading up around here and I know about the sealed/ported sq/spl being a myth. But if that really is a myth, how can I get my sub to be more punchy?

I just thought that the 15 would be louder, and the sealed might give me more kick/punch rather than rumbles.

 

[sjv13 10+ year member]

car audio shop said it was anyways. And I heard that to make a noticeable difference, I would have to nearly double the power of the amp. And I think that would just be too much for the sub.

 

[macsdad 10+ year member]

i have a 15inch mb quart in a 1.5cf sealed box and a rf t2 12 in a 2ft ported box, both were getting about 1k. the 12 sounds much better, the fs on the 12 is 39hrtz but the box is tuned to 33hrtz, and it sounds good on bass heavy music and more detailed music. i deff prefer the 12 ported over the 15 sealed.

 

[sjv13 10+ year member]

i have a 15inch mb quart in a 1.5cf sealed box and a rf t2 12 in a 2ft ported box, both were getting about 1k. the 12 sounds much better, the fs on the 12 is 39hrtz but the box is tuned to 33hrtz, and it sounds good on bass heavy music and more detailed music. i deff prefer the 12 ported over the 15 sealed.

Ok cool. That really helps to hear from someone who has both set ups! Maybe I'll just get a new amp and another 12" type r.

 

[macsdad 10+ year member]

you might want to check here with some of the guys that build boxes. a decent sub in the proper box can amaze you. i have had people think i have a dual sub set-up and it is only the one 12 ported. we can't agree on much in the w/site, but most will agree the box is about 80percent when it comes to output, and a decent amp. give that type r about 8-900 wrms and set subsonic filter and you too will be amazed.

 

[sjv13 10+ year member]

you might want to check here with some of the guys that build boxes. a decent sub in the proper box can amaze you. i have had people think i have a dual sub set-up and it is only the one 12 ported. we can't agree on much in the w/site, but most will agree the box is about 80percent when it comes to output, and a decent amp. give that type r about 8-900 wrms and set subsonic filter and you too will be amazed.

Actually, I already make myself and a lot of people think that I have two. What would a person take into account when building a custom box? Wouldnt 800-900wrms be too much for a sub rated at 600?

 

[macsdad 10+ year member]

the 15inch mb q was rated for 800wrms, i fed 1000wrms. as long as it is clean power-not clipped, and you use subsonic filter it should be fine.

 

[sjv13 10+ year member]

the 15inch mb q was rated for 800wrms, i fed 1000wrms. as long as it is clean power-not clipped, and you use subsonic filter it should be fine.

where should the filter be set?

 

[zako 10+ year member]

Ex ante, I don't see a huge difference here. Porting the box, will add what 2-3 db more sensitivity? You get about that much by going with more cone area of the 15. The 12 in a ported port does have a potential to play deep bass (25-45Hz) range with more authority, depending on the box design and the subwoofer. A 15 in sealed box could have -3dB point at around 40Hz. A 12 could have it in the 20s. Not that this extension should really be ones goal. A closed cabin adds bass boost at deep frequencies helping to flatten out a response of sealed box subwoofer.

 

[macsdad 10+ year member]

where should the filter be set?

i have mine set at about 30hrtz

 

[av83 10+ year member]

I have a 12" type R (600wrms) being fed by an Alpine mrx-m50 (500wrms) in a ported box built to Alpine's specs for the type r.

Keep the sub.

Change the enclosure. Manufacturer's recommended enclosure specs are often a far cry from what sounds best.

Get the m110, or any amp that will make 1000 rms at your needed impedance, and use it.

This will undoubtedly get you better results.

 

[Jroo 10+ year member]

I have only had sealed and 4th order boxes so I dont speak on ported much. I can say before you switch subs and go to the 15", really look at the box. You said you have a box built to alpine specs. I have seen a lot of cases where somebody gets a good design and nice box built, and it blows their spec box out of the water. I would talk to some of the box designers first and see what can really be done with the 12" first.