2 12's vs 2 15's

[Biggiesmails72]

I'm going to purchase some Obsidian Audio v3's when they come out. Only problem is i cant decide if I want 2 12's or 2 15's. What are some main differences between the 2? I imagine the 15's would get a lot more bass while the 12's would sound a little better.. My friends say that 15's would get TOO loud but i dont see how that could be a problem as long as i dont turn the music up to max volume

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[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

the real question is how much space do you have to sacrifice? how good subs sound is not based on their size, is a full blown myth dont ever spread that around @_@. How good a subwoofer sounds is dependent on the enclosure you put it in. if your 2 15s only get 2 cubic feet each, then its going to sound like crap compared to 2 12s with 2 cubic feet each. The design of the box also plays a big role too. Everything from sanding down the edges, making 45 degree angles in corners to bracing to proper baffling to port size and tuning. All those factors along with adequate power and electricals with proper EQ will determine how efficient and how good your system actually sounds.

To end this off, go big or go home if you have the space for it. 2 15s is going to need 3.5(minimum) - to 4.5 cubic feet of airspace to breath and thats a NET number that means thats the space left after subtracting the thickness of the wood, bracing, port area and sub displacement.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

there's also cabin gain, subs will sound different in every car and your box design will revolve around the subs but the tuning should be based on your vehicle's peak frequency.

 

[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

I'm going to purchase some Obsidian Audio v3's when they come out. Only problem is i cant decide if I want 2 12's or 2 15's. What are some main differences between the 2? I imagine the 15's would get a lot more bass while the 12's would sound a little better.. My friends say that 15's would get TOO loud but i dont see how that could be a problem as long as i dont turn the music up to max volume

What vehicle is this going in?

 

[UsAmpsFreak]

I'm going to purchase some Obsidian Audio v3's when they come out. Only problem is i cant decide if I want 2 12's or 2 15's. What are some main differences between the 2? I imagine the 15's would get a lot more bass while the 12's would sound a little better.. My friends say that 15's would get TOO loud but i dont see how that could be a problem as long as i dont turn the music up to max volume

All the stories about how 12's hit better, or they are more punchy, or that 18's go lower than 8's is just a bunch of stupid talk. The 15's will be slightly louder than the 12's, that is the only difference sound wise as long as both are in the appropriate box. The bigger question is do you have the room to do the 15's correctly? Correctly would mean that you could put the 15's in your vehicle and the music can actually move through your vehicle without any huge bottlenecks. If you have a trunk and the box would create a bottleneck because the box is so big that the bass can't get around it then i would go with the 12's.

 

[Biggiesmails72]

the real question is how much space do you have to sacrifice? how good subs sound is not based on their size, is a full blown myth dont ever spread that around @_@. How good a subwoofer sounds is dependent on the enclosure you put it in. if your 2 15s only get 2 cubic feet each, then its going to sound like crap compared to 2 12s with 2 cubic feet each. The design of the box also plays a big role too. Everything from sanding down the edges, making 45 degree angles in corners to bracing to proper baffling to port size and tuning. All those factors along with adequate power and electricals with proper EQ will determine how efficient and how good your system actually sounds.
To end this off, go big or go home if you have the space for it. 2 15s is going to need 3.5(minimum) - to 4.5 cubic feet of airspace to breath and thats a NET number that means thats the space left after subtracting the thickness of the wood, bracing, port area and sub displacement.

Does the box need to be put straight in the back? I have a lot of room but the way the back is designed I have so much more room going diagonally then I do just straight left to right

What vehicle is this going in?

03 Subaru Forester

All the stories about how 12's hit better, or they are more punchy, or that 18's go lower than 8's is just a bunch of stupid talk. The 15's will be slightly louder than the 12's, that is the only difference sound wise as long as both are in the appropriate box. The bigger question is do you have the room to do the 15's correctly? Correctly would mean that you could put the 15's in your vehicle and the music can actually move through your vehicle without any huge bottlenecks. If you have a trunk and the box would create a bottleneck because the box is so big that the bass can't get around it then i would go with the 12's.

It is a hatchback. What kind of effect would that have?

 

[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

Do some measuring and find out the max dimensions for a box ..id say u should be able to do 15s but u will need at least 7cu ft after all displacements

 

[Biggiesmails72]

Height is 15 max (could probably go 16, only saying 15 because the cover that comes over the back is at 15 inches and I would for sure like to have that on depending on where I go)

35 across, 28 depth

41 across, 23 depth

52 across, 10 depth

Those are the possible dimensions, the depth has me basically 1 off from smacking the trunk door, so should stay a few inches away imo just to give it some room

 

[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

Height is 15 max (could probably go 16, only saying 15 because the cover that comes over the back is at 15 inches and I would for sure like to have that on depending on where I go)
35 across, 28 depth

41 across, 23 depth

52 across, 10 depth

Those are the possible dimensions, the depth has me basically 1 off from smacking the trunk door, so should stay a few inches away imo just to give it some room

go with 12s ..my box.is 34 wide 28 deep and 15 high

 

[Biggiesmails72]

go with 12s ..my box.is 34 wide 28 deep and 15 high

You got 12's? I saw your box.. looks **** nice. I thought I should go with 15's over 12's.. just figured if I got 12's id always want more so might as well get the 15's... is your box ported or sealed?

Does the box need to be straights? Like i said if i could tilt it id have so much room

 

[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

You got 12's? I saw your box.. looks **** nice. I thought I should go with 15's over 12's.. just figured if I got 12's id always want more so might as well get the 15's... is your box ported or sealed?

Does the box need to be straights? Like i said if i could tilt it id have so much room

The newest thread i started for the xfl box isnt goimg in my car thats for 2 15s i have a pair of hdc4 12s...u really dont have room for 15s with the dimensions u gave ...u can have a vendor here design u a box

 

[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/car-audio-build-logs-cars-trucks-suvs/581281-hdc4-box-build.html

this is the box i have now

 

[akadj 10+ year member]

28×28 dimensions are super close to the old crx box with 12" sub's up and areo ports back

 

[UsAmpsFreak]

Does the box need to be put straight in the back? I have a lot of room but the way the back is designed I have so much more room going diagonally then I do just straight left to right


03 Subaru Forester

It is a hatchback. What kind of effect would that have?

If you can put a box for 15's in there with atleast 12 inches between the back of the box and the back of the car and atleast 9 inches clearance above the box between the trunk lid then i would go with the 15's, if not i'd just do 12's. Honestly the 12's are much more likely to sound better than the 15's with the space that you have.