Help on deciding which sub or sub combo to get?

[EdSteezy25]

Hi everyone! First post here lol

Ok so I need help on deciding what sub combo to get.

I'm already dead set on getting JL Audio W3 and my amp is the Alpine MRX-M55 and the birthsheet puts my amp at 592 watts rms @ 2 ohms.

So I recently went to my local JL dealer and asked what would yield more output a single 13.5 inch W3 (which has a 600 watt max rms) or two 12" W3s on 296 watts each (300 watts is supposedly their "optimum" rms).

So what it comes down to I guess is one fully powered slightly larger sub vs 2 mildly powered 12s.

The owner said the 2 12s would be louder.

PS they'll be going into a ported box.

Click to read more...

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

In this case cone area wins. Don't base your power off a birth sheet, they are very misleading. They are tested on a bench and resistor, two things you don't have.

Why are you set on that sub? What did you compare it to?

 

[EdSteezy25]

I figured these subs are a nice balance between SPL and SQ without needing too much power. And I want some SQ after coming from a 1100 watt powered 12 XFL. But I then sold my MRX-M110 and got a M55 but I doesn't push the sub at all lol

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

In the power you have the XFL should out do the W3. More motor, more coil, more output. It should be about 3db less than the 1000. The W3 will be less than that.

 

[EdSteezy25]

The amount of output I get from the XFL on the M55 actually saddens me. It really doesn't compare to when it was on the M110.

I figured since the W3s have a higher sensativity and smaller motor they could get louder on the same amount of power

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

The amount of output I get from the XFL on the M55 actually saddens me. It really doesn't compare to when it was on the M110. I figured since the W3s have a higher sensativity and smaller motor they could get louder on the same amount of power

It shouldn't be that much less.

 

[EdSteezy25]

That's exactly what I thought when I downgraded, half power=-3db. But the difference in output was very noticeable.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

It's wired at 2ohm not 8? Dumb question but you never know.

 

[EdSteezy25]

I actually have never checked but I'd assume so since it absolutely slammed on the M110 and all I did was swap out the amp. I had it installed at a shop when they made the box for the sub.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

I don't know man. It should be ok. The W3 won't be any better for sure.