SE12 ported or an SE15 sealed?

[supernoodles 10+ year member]

Hey guys, I still kinda a noob, so please help. I'm looking to upgrade. Heres my current setup:

In 1997 civic:

RF punch 301M. Hate it, it sucks

Alpine Type R 1041D in sealed box. Okay sub.

I want 1 sub, under or around $200, and it has to have a box of about 2 cubes or smaller (I need the trunk space)

I mostly listen to REAL punk, alternative and hard rock, so I want something loud that can respond well to fast kick drums as well as some deep bass.

I think that an SE12 in a ported box (2 cubes ported to 32hz) or an SE 15 in a sealed 2 cube box would be my best bet. I think that the SE12 is around 170, not sure, how much is the SE15? They both have the same motor, just a different cones, so I'm assuming the 15 would be about 15-30 dollars more. Either way, the sub would be most likely amped by a JBL 600.1, heard a lot of good things about it, plus its cheap.

What would be better for me: a SE12 ported or a SE15 sealed? I was leaning towards the SE12, but nothing is certain. I would really like to have an RE sub, but I'm open to other suggestions. And, yeah, I know I just missed out on the HC sale.

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[Bill T. 10+ year member]

12" would be louder, but the 15" would have a deep response.

Ported is the **** best for loud music.

Bill T.

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

if you want the louder setup probably the 12 ported. personally i like sealed boxes because they give more of the punchy bass the type you feel instead of the boomy type from ported boxes. i bet if you go with the 15 sealed it would be loud but it depends on what type of bass you are looking for. by the way i just called re like a half hour ago and the 12" se is $169. i'm gonna order me 2 12" subs and slap them in a sealed box but you probably don't care