2 10s vs 1 12

[bmk6795 10+ year member]

Hey guys im gonna be re doing my substage here soon and i really cant decide what i want to do. Going to be used daily but im looking for pure output, sounding good is a plus. For a single 12 i was thinking something like an AB xfl. For a pair of 10s something like 2 hdc3s maybe some sa's. Really cant decide. Dont really want to go over 3 cubes worth of box space, but the smaller the better. Gonna be buying a new amp also, gonna be in the 1500-2000 watt range, not sure what amp just yet. Anyone got any ideas or suggestions?

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[DjDan101 10+ year member]

I've never owned any myself, but I've never heard a dissatisfied owner of SA. They seem like very reliable and solidly built subs. I've always preferred two medium subs rather than one super one, so I'd recommend the two 10s. I think it's all really personal preference.

 

[-BenBen- 10+ year member]

I hated the Hdc3's, Will never buy em again. sound quality was terrible with no lows in my install..more then likely the box but my xfls even sounded way better in the same box

 

[thevic24 5,000+ posts]

If you do it right, 1-12" can have excellent output and be well under your 3 cubes.

2-10's will do great as well but you will be much closer to your 3 cube mark.

IMO, figure out what you are going to use for power and then decide which subs are best matched.

 

[4OZGLOVES 10+ year member]

I went the 2 10's route with xfl's. ill be running around 3.5k to the pair after box rise. Hoping it turns out well I'm in the process of my box build right now. 1.5 inch thick birch 3:1 fourth order. You'll get more motor force and cone area with a set of tens over a single twelve.

 

[mat3833 10+ year member]

IMO a closer comprison would be 2 8s or 1 12. 2 10s has more cone area than a 12, but the 12 and the 8s will be closer(~80-90in^2 for the 8s and 90-100in^2 for the 12 depending on effective cone area. 2 10s would be upwards of 135in^2)

going with the 2 8s Vs 1 12 id pick the 8s for space saving, less drag on your electrical, and the novelty.

goign with the 2 10s Vs 1 12 id pick the 12, mostly for the simplicity and a tad less space required.

you could honestly go sundown with any size. the SA-8s are beasts as are the 10s and 12s. you should also look at FI, SSA, and ID.

Matt

 

[cleansoundzz 10+ year member]

2 10s work better than 1 12 ported. A lot is dependent on the box quality and woofer quality. I had 1 12 (T3 T1000) in a custom box tuned to 35-36hz, it put up a good fight against my 2 10s because I was using a box that was made for Alpine Type Rs. Once I had a custom box built for my 2 10s (RE Audio SE Pros) tuned to 35-36hz, it was no competition, the 10's ate up my 1 12.

 

[cleansoundzz 10+ year member]

This is a very intelligently discussed thread about 2 10s vs 1 12. Usually in these threads people get quickly offended.

 

[bmk6795 10+ year member]

Thanks for the input guys, think I've decided on an ab xfl 12 on 1500 watts

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

I hated the Hdc3's, Will never buy em again. sound quality was terrible with no lows in my install..more then likely the box but my xfls even sounded way better in the same box

hdc3s respond better in larger boxes from my experience. that may have been the issue. they aren't the best sounding sub by any means, but they aren't as bad as many people make them out to be.

 

[IonRL205 10+ year member]

Thanks for the input guys, think I've decided on an ab xfl 12 on 1500 watts

2 HDC 10s would destroy that single 12

 

[Better-Action 10+ year member]

Id say do 2 10's over 1 12". more cone area.

 

[cleansoundzz 10+ year member]

Id say do 2 10's over 1 12". more cone area.

Agreed. I just went through this about 2 months ago. 2 10's win almost every time.

 

[bmk6795 10+ year member]

Well after talking to a couple friends i'm doing 2 10's prolly gonna be Sa's or something along those lines, thinking about gcons but idk if the 1500 watts im gonna run would be enough to really get the gcons moving. I know the sa's can handle more but i dont want to run over 1500 watts.

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

What's your budget? I agree the 2 10's route is better. PSI and DC are there as well for lower RMS good subs. Why you not wanting to run over 1500? Do you have an amp in mind?