Cone area and power?

[prototype561 10+ year member]

Im looking to redo my system I want to spend less than $900 for the sub(s)/amp. I currently have 2 15" older model hifonics subs on about 1000wrms.

My question is if i downgraded in cone area, lets from 2 15's to 1 18/15, but increased(x2) the power will there be a noticeable difference in spl? I want to get some nice quality sub(s) so it will probably be 1 18/15 because 2 15's would cost a lot more. Any help/suggestions on subs and amps will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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[misfit138 5,000+ posts]

If you're willing to buy used equipment you can do a lot with $900. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[prototype561 10+ year member]

^ yeah i know, but i want to buy new stuff

 

[misfit138 5,000+ posts]

Whatever floats your boat.

A lot of the used stuff that's sold on here is only a few months old...

 

[prototype561 10+ year member]

well let me rephrase that, i would prefer new

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Cone area>power

 

[prototype561 10+ year member]

i figured that, i guess i will stay with 2 15s, i was looking for to doing a single 18" set up, back to the drawing boards

 

[T3mpest 10+ year member]

Well if you go from 2 15's to one, but double power you will notice a difference in SPL if you double power to the single 15. Assuming no compression you'll lose 3db's. Odds are since you'd really be pushing a single 15 hard, you'd lose even more, like 4-5. Power is an absolute waste in alot of cases, the reason most SPL subs need 2k+to get loud is because the spiders are so stiff that the sub is horribly ineffecient even with the high BL. Plus they'll cram them into the smallest box the can to "up power handling" when really all they did was make it take more power to hit the same physical limit as before.

Effeciency>power.

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Well if you go from 2 15's to one, but double power you will notice a difference in SPL if you double power to the single 15. Assuming no compression you'll lose 3db's. Odds are since you'd really be pushing a single 15 hard, you'd lose even more, like 4-5. Power is an absolute waste in alot of cases, the reason most SPL subs need 2k+to get loud is because the spiders are so stiff that the sub is horribly ineffecient even with the high BL. Plus they'll cram them into the smallest box the can to "up power handling" when really all they did was make it take more power to hit the same physical limit as before.
Effeciency>power.

I mostly agree, but SPL competitors, the smart ones anyway, adjust box size to get the overall system Q they want, given the tuning they are looking for to mate with their vehicle's transfer function. Only the ignorant competitors go with a smaller box just to try and increase power handling. That thought process implies the person does not understand the difference between thermal power handling, and mechanical power handling.

 

[SPLaudio 5,000+ posts]

the small box is louder lots of times due to better air flow. the problem with the smaller box is impedence rise but that can be corrected by reconing or just run a lower impedence sub.

i choose power over cone area. say in a trunk i would choose 1 15" over 2 15s all day as long as i have power on tap. with a good design 1 15" with 3k will take 2 15s with 1k.

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

In the debate on power versus cone area, it generally comes down to three factors: enclosure size, thermal limits, and power compression.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

I'm about quality over quantity for the most part. a single GOOD 18 will demolish what you have especially with more power. I'd say a single good 15 in a proper box would demolish what you have..... add more power and you have more output . Do yourself a favor and at least lurk around here a bit to see what your money can buy before you get taken out there.

Even if you insist on buying new you can generally get high quality for the price a brick and mortar store gets for their junk if you shop around and hunt deals.

 

[SPLaudio 5,000+ posts]

dont forget about cansulation.

 

[Cruzer 10+ year member]

i went from 2 10s in small sealed box, bare minimum box size. 870 watts to 2 of them. now i got a 15" off the same power, but box is 2.4 cubes, almost max recommended. the 15 has more cone area, so it does get louder, but when setting the gain, i could push the 2 10s a lot more than i can the 15 in the huge box.

also compared to 2 12s in a cubic foot per sub which is about the middle of what was recommended, off 400 watts, the cone area still made them louder than the 15 off twice the wattage.

so i would say if ur going to go with less cone area, try and get a good chunk of more power. like if i could push 1200 to my single 15, it would be louder than my 2 12s off 400 watts. but thats x3 the wattage.

just my experience

 

[SPLaudio 5,000+ posts]

^ lots of issues there such as you probley didnt have enough power for the 15" and ur boxes were sealed. did you have them facing the same way? there is alot of variables...