n00b question -- 1 baller sub OR 2 decent ones?

[whizdumb 10+ year member]

I'm sorry for asking such a n00bish question, but i can't find the answer anywhere even after searching...

I'm debating between 2 aRgh/CVX 12's or 1 HD3 15. I am going to have probably around 1200+ watts (hopefully) by 1 ohm.

What will be the loudest/cleanest sounding?

Thanks!!

Here is the setup I am planning:

06 Civic LX

stock deck (until I can afford/decide one later) w/ LOC

Either a Kenwood KAC-9103 (it says its 1 ohm stable but only states 900w @ 2 ohms //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif ) or something else (Hifonics?)

0 gauge wiring

^ Sub(s)

In a big, homemade 32Hz box

Big 3

Hopefully my stock alternator/batter w/ 0 gauge Big 3 will be able to handle it..

Click to read more...

 

[Thetalkingshoe 10+ year member]

With only 1200 I'd do the R's

 

[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

go with the argh/cvx 12's if you only got that wattage

 

[mazdakid 5,000+ posts]

get a single sub setup

 

[psych0ticnemes1 5,000+ posts]

I was happier with a single 15 over two 12's, but that doesn't mean you will be. You have a greater chance at being louder with two 12" subs (only considering surface area) than the single 15, but putting your money toward a single sub would give you a better opportunity to find a higher quality sub.

That being said, are you going for SPL over SQ or??? If you want loud/ clean bass, I would suggest a single high quality speaker over two mediocre woofers that may or may not give you what you want.

Why not try an R or CVX 15"?

 

[pboulos 10+ year member]

2 type r 12's will definitely make you happy given the right enclosure and power

 

[munchies 10+ year member]

i have one 12'' type R off 600 rms as a filler right now. 2.7^3@32 hz and its decent. obviously could use more power but its still nice. 2 of them in a big box with 1200 rms should be "loud". But my answer to the original question is to get one baller sub.

 

[munchies 10+ year member]

o yea and i have alot of experience with CVRs and typeRs. IN MY OPINION the type r has more potential to get both louder and sound better

 

[loud-n-low 10+ year member]

shotcaller sub>over baller sub

 

[bigbirney420 10+ year member]

Im happy with the baller single sub setup, plenty loud for me.

 

[theCybe 5,000+ posts]

Some nice subs can be had in the classified section any day of the week, at an unbeatable price. I would go (and many times have gone) that route. You're not going to be able to power an uber-sub with factory electrics.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

On the other hand, I've got a Kicker Comp twelve that if worse comes to worse, give me plenty o'bass for what - thirty bucks and a sheet of wood?

 

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

get one good sub, thats what i did and i love it.

 

[whizdumb 10+ year member]

wow, thanks for all the replies..

looks like there is a lot of mixed opinion on which would be better. I guess I am going for SQL... I want it to be as loud as it can get without sounding like ***... I want to have a smooth response curve without any major peaks hopefully.. I hate it when a couple of notes just sound like crap.

So 1200w isn't enough for an HD3? Audioque's site says 1000w continuous... plus I'm not really sure how many watts it will be pushing exactly, only specs it has are "1 Ohm stable, 900w x1 @ 2ohms" so it should be at least 1200 right, maybe more?

Also, what T/S parameters affect SPL? I know cone surface area and xmax, probably BL too... is there a way I can compare them by those numbers or not really?

I think I am wanting to do the single setup the more I think about it because everyone here is telling me 2 12s will sound better and they think 15s sound sloppy. But only if my car can handle it, just upgraded Big 3.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

because everyone here is telling me 2 12s will sound better and they think 15s sound sloppy.

Then they're idiots.

I want to have a smooth response curve without any major peaks hopefully

Going to be hard to do with a kW on your substage and a stock front stage...

 

[whizdumb 10+ year member]

Yeah, I realize that... I was just talking among bass frequencies, I at least want those to sound flat.

I would like to get another amp for mids and highs somewhere down the line but it probably won't be for a while.

And I also meant to say that people "here" say go with the 12s -- meaning the people here in my town tell me that not the people on this board..