1- 15'' or 4- 12''

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Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=8912
Printed Date: July 28, 2025 at 3:54 PM

Topic: 1- 15'' or 4- 12''

Posted By: cerwinvega19
Subject: 1- 15'' or 4- 12''
Date Posted: February 01, 2003 at 12:41 AM

Just had a question, what would sound louder? A 15" sub that is 1000 RMS or 4 12" subs that are 250 RMS each (so the total is 1000 RMS? In a Hatchback (lets say a 92 civic).

Thanks

Replies:

Posted By: fakepete
Date Posted: February 01, 2003 at 7:21 AM

4 12's have a total surface area around 2.5 times more than one 15, so in theory the 12's would be louder with the same power. It sort of depends on the particular subs because excursion is also a factor as well, but i would guess in almost all cases the 4 12's would be louder. I used to run 4 12's on a 1000w and it sounded pretty good, but I went to 2 15's on 2500w after that so I can't really make a comparison there.

Posted By: pervitizm
Date Posted: February 02, 2003 at 1:26 AM

I thinnk I can answer this question a bit more. See my first system consist of four pyrmid original 12's pushing about 800 RMS to all four subs. Then I got a single Kicker L5 15' pushing the same 800 RMS and it performed way better than those 12's ever could. So in theroy four 12 should be louder than a single 15, but just like what fakepete said, there are other factors that go into this besides power handling. So I guess what type of sub's you use are important too.

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