Thread:

4-10" Subs or 2-12" Subs

Need some more help:
Since I'm replacing the sub boxes I was thinking if I should go with 2 12" subs in lieu of the 4 10" subs I am running now.
The real dilemma is that the 10" subs are Marine grade and have been down firing and have been exposed to water since they are in the back of the boat. The 12" subs I have are not, so my big 2 ?'s are: Does marine grade really matter that much and will the 12" subs sound that much better to risk it?

Thanks again for all the help.

Depends On What Kind Of Music You Listen. I Listen To Rap So I Went With 12's. I DONT THINK MARINE GRADE MAKES A DIFFERENCE UNLESS THE SPEAKERS ARE GONNA GET WET.

Depends on what you want.

They both can sound better than one another ...just depends on what subs and how much power you are sending to them.

I would much rather have 2 jl 10w6 with 500 watts a peice than some crappy 12" with no power. If you have the room do some kicker L7 12's with 1000+ watts a peice

Originally Posted by Havasu Hangin'

I think it depends on your box area available and installation.

Of the same subs, 4-10's will have more cone area, and should be louder...but it depends on the power you are going to put to them. I went with 4-10's in my last boat, and you'd swear I had 15's hidden in there somewhere- it made your hair move when the bass hit.

Marine subs? Fagetaboudit.

X2.

As long as you have the available space for the right box, stick with the cone area advantage of the 4 10's.

Marine grade audio equipment is really only needed when the product is introduced to salt water or salt air. As long as the woofers are not sitting in water then there is nothing to worry about.

The 2 12" woofers will play lower but the 4 10" woofers will play at a louder volume due to the increased surface area. You would also need to make sure the final impedance of the two 12" woofers are matched correctly to the amp that you plan on using. If not you might not be impressed with the performance.

I have 6 Flatline 12s in the rear and 2 tens up front , there is a huge difference between a pair of tens and a pair of twelves . But Four high quality tens should rip . You should get better sound quality from the twelves even if your using equal stuff. The greater the surface area the more sound.....

Just an update, Just finished this project last night and sounding real good. Made new MDF boxes with tons of resin on/in them and carpeted. Changed Subs to 2-12" and changed old Kenwood 500w amp to a RF 800w amp. New amp mount box and completely rewired the whole thing. Not the best but will do as this is my 1st attempt. Here's a couple of pics of how it turned out.

Assuming all else is equal the cone area must be doubled to gain an additional 3 db of output. Also assuming all else is equal, the power must be doubled to gain the exact same 3 db of output.