2 X 10" vs. 1 X 12" Subwoofer Real World

[Mommy Wagon 10+ year member]

I've searched, and I've looked through the Internet, and I've pretty much exhausted all of my options.

I hope I'm not just asking "another 2 10's or 1 12 question".

Currently the planning stages of my build are going very well, and one member on here has really helped quite significantly - I won't mention who just in case they wish to remain anonymous. Though in these planning stages, I have come into quite a quandary on what will be my sub bass provider.

In the past I have always resorted to a single 12" sub in a sealed box, I was done with vented/ported years ago. Now I'm rethinking this. I have a chance to pick up 2 Rockford T210 D4 subs in a box for a great deal, which is what has me rethinking my past audio staple.

We all know that the potential for louder remains with 2 X 10" subs over a single 12" sub, though with this potential for louder, is there a potential for the same deep response? A 12 can go super low and will hit 20-30hz without any issues (normally - as always this is dependent on many factors).

Today I had my first all things "equal" presentation of a single sealed L5 10" vs a single sealed L5 12" both powered by a Kicker amp. I was actually shocked at how good the 10 sounded, though it definitely lost on some of the really low frequencies and picked back up when tones were out of the high 20hz range.

Now I know there will be some Kicker bashing, though I have always had a great experience with their amps and subs.

With all of this said, here is the question:

Can the installation of 2 X 10" subs in a sealed enclosure hit frequencies that a single 12" is able to?

Click to read more...

 

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

Cone area is what makes things louder down low.

Installed correctly, theoretically 2 10s will be better on the lows than a single equal 12.

Your box will be a huge determining factor in getting the low-lows

 

[chillin 10+ year member]

port the box and tune low with either option and it will hit the lows harder and louder (though the sealed may be better for sub 20hz)

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

First of all, square 10 = roud 12 and square 12 = round 15.

Some modeling software should show you pretty quick what sort of low extension you can expect from those particular 10's vs whatever 12 you're used to. IMO if you want to play low 20 hz well you should consider going ported and chosing appropriate sub(s) for that application.

 

[chillin 10+ year member]

Any particular low note song you are trying to hit? Do you listen to much chopped and screwed music, church organs, or orchestral music? If not, you will almost never hear a note below 30 hz in anything else

 

[Mommy Wagon 10+ year member]

Musically, I am all over the map. I could not pinpoint any single song I would like a sub to perform well on, as there are many in each genre.

For the song that was most inconsistent, "On My Level" by Wiz Khalifa. Great for low transitioning bass, that offers long bass hits in frequencies which hit multiple tones.

Another few comparables - Beastie Boys "Paul Revere" - Ginuwine "Pony" - If you would like others in different categories I'd be glad to list.

The issue I have with ported boxes is te lost of " tightness", and even dare I say musicality. I prefer the sound of a sealed enclosure and the size requirements.

 

[chillin 10+ year member]

Musically, I am all over the map. I could not pinpoint any single song I would like a sub to perform well on, as there are many in each genre.
For the song that was most inconsistent, "On My Level" by Wiz Khalifa. Great for low transitioning bass, that offers long bass hits in frequencies which hit multiple tones.

Another few comparables - Beastie Boys "Paul Revere" - Ginuwine "Pony" - If you would like others in different categories I'd be glad to list.

The issue I have with ported boxes is te lost of " tightness", and even dare I say musicality. I prefer the sound of a sealed enclosure and the size requirements.

I dont think you have heard a properly built ported box. They should not sound less "tight" and i would guess the lowest bass of the songs you mentioned comes in "on my level" which is 31hz. Not that low. I was not saying that it wont hit other notes, i was saying other than some very rare songs that have been modified or pipe organs, you are not going to find a song below 30hz. Maybe 28. So if you tune to 30-33, you will still play down to 25, up to 50-80 depending on sub and crossover point and have far more output than sealed.