Cone area vs total rms

[CarAudioNewbie9 10+ year member]

What is more important to overall loudness? Lets say 2 15s rated at 800 rms vs 1 15 rated at 3000 rms.

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[tc3k101 5,000+ posts]

How about total disp?

Sd x Xmax=total disp

That is usually how I compare setups although there are many more things to factor in but that usually gives you a idea.

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

I went from 1 15" in 4.5 net cubes tuned at 32Hz at 1400@1 and dropped to a pair of Image Dynamics ID8D2V3's on 500 watts total and the ID8's are louder. Are the ID8's more cone area?

 

[ahole-ic]

What is more important to overall loudness? Lets say 2 15s rated at 800 rms vs 1 15 rated at 3000 rms.

ACTUAL sensitivity is key. This is going to depend on the box they are in. Many people get hung up on this "more subs is louder" "more power is louder" crap. Neither are true. The truest statement is efficiency is key BUT there is no good way to tell from ratings so it's anyone's best guess. I mean you can make a sub take 10000 watts. WIll it be louder than a 1500w sub? Not necessarily. It just wastes more power.

 

[CarAudioNewbie9 10+ year member]

I went from 1 15" in 4.5 net cubes tuned at 32Hz at 1400@1 and dropped to a pair of Image Dynamics ID8D2V3's on 500 watts total and the ID8's are louder. Are the ID8's more cone area?

2 10s is not as much cone area as 1 15. Better subs maybe?

 

[CarAudioNewbie9 10+ year member]

ACTUAL sensitivity is key. This is going to depend on the box they are in. Many people get hung up on this "more subs is louder" "more power is louder" crap. Neither are true. The truest statement is efficiency is key BUT there is no good way to tell from ratings so it's anyone's best guess. I mean you can make a sub take 10000 watts. WIll it be louder than a 1500w sub? Not necessarily. It just wastes more power.

how do you calculate actual sensitivity?

 

[ahole-ic]

2 10s is not as much cone area as 1 15. Better subs maybe?

no if that's the case it's a better box. The box determines how well the sub can perform. If you take a funky pup and put them in a great box, and take a btl and put it in a horrible box (1/2" plywood, no sealant, gaps etc) and tune them both to the same frequency, the funky pup will outperform the btl in the same application.

 

[ahole-ic]

how do you calculate actual sensitivity?

There are formulas to calculate sensitivity but it is always at a given frequency. Most are at 1000hz. I wrote a program to calculate it at 100hz. You can find it in the forums on eCrack.net - Car Audio News, Reviews, and Values. It still won't help you know what the sensitivity is at 30hz etc. This is why people say "lower sensitivity is better", because it's usually at 1000hz. Well you don't want your sub ever playing 1000hz, so since it's rated well there, that's not good. That's what they mean. We are concerned with sensitivity in the sub bass region. Go give my calculator a shot and see if it helps you.

 

[tc3k101 5,000+ posts]

ACTUAL sensitivity is key. This is going to depend on the box they are in. Many people get hung up on this "more subs is louder" "more power is louder" crap. Neither are true. The truest statement is efficiency is key BUT there is no good way to tell from ratings so it's anyone's best guess. I mean you can make a sub take 10000 watts. WIll it be louder than a 1500w sub? Not necessarily. It just wastes more power.

Not always true, but op if you have space for two 15s get the single driver and do some type of folded horn or anything along the lines of that.

 

[CarAudioNewbie9 10+ year member]

Not always true, but op if you have space for two 15s get the single driver and do some type of folded horn or anything along the lines of that.

I think I really have space for 3 15s....

 

[hatedonmostly 5,000+ posts]

no if that's the case it's a better box. The box determines how well the sub can perform. If you take a funky pup and put them in a great box, and take a btl and put it in a horrible box (1/2" plywood, no sealant, gaps etc) and tune them both to the same frequency, the funky pup will outperform the btl in the same application.

Exaggeration much? A BTL freeair would sound better than a Pup in the best box in the universe.

Yes, box plays a huge factor but it doesn't work fucking miracles. You people crack me up. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

 

[4OZGLOVES 10+ year member]

It really comes down to tuning and air movement, Do you want to hit high on a meter or do you want to pull hairtricks, I'm going the cone area route on my current build 3 ssd 18's in 21 cubes tuned at 31. I could care less if I only hit 145. There are lots of people doing 150 with 1 15" and 6k but its at 50hz I would rather have a 145 at 30hz than a 150 at 50hz, to each there own though.

 

[audio_phill 10+ year member]

how do you calculate actual sensitivity?

Perry Babin has an efficiency calculator, ya just need to know some accurate parameters

Basic Car Audio Electronics

On the right side click "speakers" number 30 or 31 iirc, then scroll down till you see the calculator. Qes, Fs, and Vas (in cubic feet) is all ya need

 

[CarAudioNewbie9 10+ year member]

It really comes down to tuning and air movement, Do you want to hit high on a meter or do you want to pull hairtricks, I'm going the cone area route on my current build 3 ssd 18's in 21 cubes tuned at 31. I could care less if I only hit 145. There are lots of people doing 150 with 1 15" and 6k but its at 50hz I would rather have a 145 at 30hz than a 150 at 50hz, to each there own though.

same here i am looking to get deep and clean.

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

same here i am looking to get deep and clean.

What kind of room do you actually have to work with? Max dimensions. If you're wanting to get some low-end efficiency, there are a few woofers that really shine in low tuned boxes(28-30hz).