Efficiency/Sensitivity/Spl ratings on subs... Are they accurate???

[45auto 10+ year member]

I want to know this, because I'm going to be purchasing 2 15" subs, and I'm shopping around, and I want to get the highest spl I can get.

While I'm looking at subs, I see a Audiobahn sub with an efficiency of 94db's, and an Alpine type R with an efficiency of 89db's, will the Audiobahn really be louder than the Alpine, given that I feed it the same wattage?

Or are these SPL ratings garbage?

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[ntense702 10+ year member]

I can't exactly answer your question, however I will advise you to take the alpines over teh audiobahns, and as far as loudness, it is install dependant upon which would be louder.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

For subwoofers, efficiency ratings aren't always what they seem.

 

[Lakota 5,000+ posts]

I doubt every company uses the same method and I'm sure that many subs are overrated in terms of efficicency.

 

[KnOkIn It 420 10+ year member]

I want to know this, because I'm going to be purchasing 2 15" subs, and I'm shopping around, and I want to get the highest spl I can get.
While I'm looking at subs, I see a Audiobahn sub with an efficiency of 94db's, and an Alpine type R with an efficiency of 89db's, will the Audiobahn really be louder than the Alpine, given that I feed it the same wattage?

Or are these SPL ratings garbage?

I think the audiobahns are rated at 2.83 volts at 1 meter ,and the typr r's are rated at 1 volt at 1 meter which I think make them more effcient,I would recommend the type r's over any audiobahn sub for sure,The type r's are suppose to be very impressive for the money..in the proper enclosure(TCAB)..But I would go with kicker for the price ...15"s that is(15" cvr,L5 or even L7) compared to the price of the "High End Audiobahn Subs" ..if not RE,Adire,Sound Splinter and what not,Or if u want a killer sub around the same price as the alpine, the Premier 3000 spl series is suppose to be great bang for the buck aswell as sq.I am sure someone else on here could help u more than I can...Just give them a price range,car,and room u have and they will set u up good.Maybe a solo x if u got the money power and car to handle that,and if u or anyone else cant under stand this,it is alright it is saturday night .........and I am trashed!