Sub Size

I am currently using a single Boston Pro 12.5 in the spare tire well of my wagon. I didn't vent the "cover" from the sub box to the cabin. The box is a well sealed .98 enclosure and I'm running a Harmon Kardon amp mono at 350-400w. The rest of my speakers consist of Boston 6.53's and NX-57's (for imaging). All speakers are being fed a healthy 125w. First of all, my sub amp isn't even peaked - my guess is I'm at 70-80% at what I could have it set at. On a scale of 1-10, I am consistantly at a 4-5 on the sub control volume and its more than plenty of bass. I would love more space in the wheel well for storage and am considering a Boston Pro 10" which requires a box half the size of my current one. Do you think that would suffice considering the current "peak" usage of the 12.5?   Just wondering what kind of a drop off a 10" would be from a 12"? These Bostons are incredibly efficient, IMO. Might be a stupid question. Subtlety is EVERYTHING.

Would be able to provide a link to your sub's spec sheet? Do you have a local dealer that carries these subs so you could go hear and compare them for yourself? I'd imagine you could swap that out for a 10 and still not feel as though your lacking in the bass department. But my question is, would it really be worth buying a whole new sub for 0.5 ft^3?

I can sell the current box and sub no problem. And believe it or not, that .5 is the difference between me putting things that originally went in that space AND having the sub. Many of the local shops told me that 15-30% of factory recommended enclosure volume is "close enough". I wanted it as close to the specs as possible and by doing so had to move other items (tire jack, etc) out of that area. If I took the current box to 70% of its size everything would fit too. Its that close. I personally don't think it would make a difference sound-wise, since I'm not even using half the one I have. I just think I can have my system AND have everything stored and hidden as it was. Subtlety is EVERYTHING.

You must have an incredibly important need for that little bit of extra space if you are considering changing a setup that you like so well.Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

I know the whole issue sounds absurd. The car is a wagon and to have items that used to have storage areas now rattling around and laying on the floor behind the seats is a tad annoying and "cluttered". I love a system that you can't even see - something that looks like the factory made it that way. I turned my spare over so the box sits inside its rim - and can easily be removed for tire access. Where I lost my space was having the box span beyond the tire area in order to pick up the extra volume needed for the 12's enclosure. The 10's enclosure will stay inside the wheel boundries so no original space is lost. I know the Pro series isn't sold anymore.....but there's still NOS ones to be had CHEAP :) Subtlety is EVERYTHING.

Well I say go for it then... It sounds like that little space is pretty important. If you're not happy with the results and decide you liked the way it sounded before, you could always just make that 10's box bigger to give you more low end.