Subwoofer sensitivity

Subwoofer sensitivity basically doesn't matter. What matters for making loud bass is the displacement. This is the cone surface area times the Xmax. If that 10" sub can move more air than the 12" sub then it could be louder. You find the surface area by looking at the full list of published parameters(hopefully this is in the owner's manual), and you want the line "Sd". It's not simply 10" squared.

Click to expand...

Generally, yes, more cone area (displacement) = louder.
SPL is not dependent on displacement alone though. Take a PA speaker for example. Xmax on these are fairly low - but some of them can make a LOT of sound. Granted it's going to be at a higher frequency (several factors involved here), suffice it to say - the woofer displacement is a contributing factor - but so is how forcefully the cone can change it's direction while compressing the air. Motor strength (as well as amount of coil in the gap, size of the gap, weight of the moving mass, etc.)... these factors will all contribute to the output.

Click to expand...

the 10 is way more efficient, if both were 10's the 92 db would kick the 86's azz

Click to expand...

If this is true why don't manufacturers put the most powerful motor possible on everything? The motor is going to move as quickly as the music dictates.

Click to expand...

In reality, most drivers that suffer from poor sensitivity have the stroke necessary and can soak up the power that will make it much louder in the end than a higher sensitivity driver.

Click to expand...

True, usually high efficiency drivers = SQ/lower =SPL. In general a high sensitivity driver requires less power to move the coil

Click to expand...

True, usually high efficiency drivers = SQ/lower =SPL. In general a high sensitivity driver requires less power to move the coil

Click to expand...

I'm not sure what argument you're trying to make. It looks like you're saying SQ drivers are usually more efficient than SPL drivers, which is simply not the case. Usually, a SQ driver will have more excursion, more moving mass, a lower fs, and less motor force; all of which translate into a lower efficiency driver. Most SPL-oriented drivers will be more efficient at every power level than an SQ driver, assuming we're talking about your usual frequencies 30+hz. Below 30hz, it's possible that the SQ driver could be more efficient. There's a lot of variables involved. That's why it's hard to make general statements like this.

Click to expand...

And to be sure, whether or not a driver is efficient is certainly not a guarantee that it possess the attributes of something qualified as SQ gear.

Click to expand...