two or one sub?

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niskyspy

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Joined: December 04, 2005

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Posted: December 04, 2005 at 5:39 PM / IP Logged

I am having this lil argument with my friend about if its better to get one or two subs. Why do you think people are getting two subs intead of getting one and getting same ammount of power out of it?

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dwarren

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Posted: December 04, 2005 at 5:45 PM / IP Logged

There is no definite answer to this. There are pros and cons to both.

youngone

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Posted: December 04, 2005 at 8:22 PM / IP Logged

well as dwarren said there are goods and not so goods in having one or two subs. the reason that people seem to go with two is because there is a louder punch to the beat because you get +3db from having another sub there. BUT there is a problem. they will take up more space and will have a problem with cancellation that happens with that. it is were the waves the sub creates cross or run into each other canceling out each other. and with a single sub that doesn't happen. there is less space taken up and the is no cancellation that happens. but you have to have more power or a different more efficient box to equal the db of the pair of subs. but in the end it is all about what the person wants. hope this helps settle that

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stevdart

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Posted: December 04, 2005 at 8:54 PM / IP Logged

One good sub setup is plenty for SQ, unless you have a reason to use more...like you're installing a huge powerful system, have a very large vehicle, or are using small subs. Reasons like that. If SQ is your goal, IMO you should build on the premise of using one 12" sub.

On the other side of the fence, if SPL is more important to you, then work with multiple subs if you want. Most people now like to say "I got subS". Just keep in mind it will be more difficult to achieve a natural response of music frequencies with a lot of cone area and power dedicated to just the under-100 Hz range.

Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

geepherder

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Posted: December 04, 2005 at 8:59 PM / IP Logged

Aaron,

it is possible to get a theoretical 3 dbs by adding another woofer, but there are variables that come into play- mainly the ohm load presented to the amplifier, and what ohm load the amp is stable into. If you have two 4 ohm single voice coil subwoofers, you can either wire them in parallel- for a 2 ohm load, or in series- for an 8 ohm load. Now if you have an amp that's stable to 4 ohm mono, you're better off with one sub from a db standpoint, because if you hook up two it'd have to be at 8 ohms, so you'd effectively have 3dbs less.

Also, space can be a concern, but cancellation is rarely an issue, unless the subs are poorly placed- one up front with one in the back (or something else ridiculous like that). Usually woofers will be placed on the same plane, or at least the same general area, where they will complement each other.

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arrow12

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Posted: December 04, 2005 at 10:12 PM / IP Logged

Another reason people are getting 2 subs is in advertisement. Everyone pushes 2 subs. It makes more profit for the seller (not saying all audio sellers do that). 2 also sounds better than 1 to some people.

That's my opinion. Take it, leave it, or correct me.

audiobhan101

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Joined: October 30, 2005

Location: Canada

Posted: December 04, 2005 at 10:16 PM / IP Logged

i push alot more than 2 subs. in fact i dont think i have ever had less than 3

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jeffchilcott

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Posted: December 04, 2005 at 10:52 PM / IP Logged

audiobhan101 wrote:

i push alot more than 2 subs. in fact i dont think i have ever had less than 3

Im sorry....2 subs is plenty for me, I think If I had all 4 running at once besides at shows I would be in big big trouble

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sedate

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Posted: December 06, 2005 at 12:30 AM / IP Logged

youngone wrote:

the reason that people seem to go with two is because there is a louder punch to the beat because you get +3db from having another sub there.

The general rule of the thumb for doubling cone area is +6dB, not 3dB. Doubling power provides +3dB.

geepherder wrote:

cancellation is rarely an issue, unless the subs are poorly placed

Indeed, a pair of woofers on the same plane, with summed inputs playing in a common enclosure will absolutely *not* produce 'cancelation.'

arrow12 wrote:

2 also sounds better than 1 to some people.

yea seriously pairs of woofers just have this certain spank that single woofers just don't provide. Having used a single 13w6 for a year, moving to a pair of 12's (even at HALF the power) was much, much more satisfying lemmie tell ya..

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ddsubman

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Posted: December 06, 2005 at 9:50 AM / IP Logged

I have had as many as 6 12s' in one vehicle over the years, my previous setup was two 15 inch audiobahn immortals...It all depends on what you want. But even for spl one really good woofer that handles lots of power is hard to beat for ease of wiring, box size and design. Basically just a lot less hassles. Right now I am running a single 15" Digital Designs woofer and on any given day it will spank any multiple woofer setup with close to the same power. I can honestly say I will personally never have another multi woofer setup unless I decide to go hardcore spl and need a system that will handle 10,000 watts or so. Also, I've never seen anyone gain 6db on the meter just by adding another woofer with the same amount of power. In the real world, you would likely only gain about 2db.

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150+db with one woofer...DD rules!!!!

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