Would you suggest ported or sealed? Also, should I get a mono amp or a 2 channel and bridge it?

 

I love ported, but I needed space this time, so I ended up with 2x 12" type R's, in a small (1.8 cubes + 2 lbs of polyfill= approx. 2.25 cubes total) sealed box. I'm giving them about 1000-1200 watts rms, and it rocks. I am very pleased with the SQ and output. Extremely clean bass, very tight and snappy, but gets plenty low and depending on the track will rattle your nuts off. I usually test my subs with "tocata in D minor", the pipe organ track, and it does not disappoint. Previously I had 3x Infinity ref 1230W's in a 4.5 cube ported box and tuned to 32 hz, with a big *** port...14"x 6"x ?...can't remember....anyway, this set up is almost as loud with the same power, and sounds better with some types of music. If I have the space, I'll always go ported, it's more efficient, gets louder, and sounds just as good...though a little different, but I have to say that I'm pleased with how this one turned out. With regards to the amp...get a mono amp, usually more efficient (class D), and cheaper for the same power.

 

I do have the space so I guess ported it is. Now, with ported, will I notice a big difference with 2 subs instead of one?

 

all else being equal...2 subs will pump twice the air...you will definitely notice it! Using the Type R's as an example, 3 x 10's = 2x12's = 1x15, in terms of air displacement. Notice in my previous post that the 3x12" Infinity subs were similar in output to the 2x12" Alpines. That's where the different designs come into play. Those infinitys were cheaper subs and offered lower power handling and xmax (300 watts/10mm xmax compared to 500watts/18mm xmax). I can guarantee you that if I were to put 3 x 12" type r's into a 4.5 cube, ported box, tuned and powered properly, that they would be much louder than my sealed set up. If you want loud, and have the space, then more subs and more power will make it louder...all other things being equal!

 

Maybe Ill go with one 15 inch in a ported box. What brands would you recommend. Ive heard good things about MTX sledgehammers and Alpine Type R's. Out of those what would you recommend? or are they any others?

 

If your looking for tight but still has the lows, bassworx 12.4 ported box
would be the way to go.

 

Whats the difference between a single voice coil and a dual? Should I look at getting one over the other?

 

the dual vc allow you more versatility in setting them up. You have 2 different impedances to choose from, so depending on your amplifier's specs at different loads, you may be able to optimize the output (more power to the subwoofer). One doesn't necessarily sound better than the other. As far as MTX or Alpine, both are good, but there are 20 others you could choose to get great results. Look for a good brand that's on special....call some of our sponsers and see what they have for you. Look at names like Eclipse, Infinity, JBL, Digital Designs, RF, etc...It all depends on your budget, and what kind of sound you want.

 

So if I buy two 4 ohm DVC subwoofers, Ill be able to wire them to a 2 ohm load? Which will mean I can give them more power?

 

no...if there are 2 dual 4ohm subs, then you can get either a 1ohm,4 ohm or 16 ohm final load. 4+4=8 ohm (series) x 2 subs= 4ohms (parallel) or 16 ohms(series).....or.....4+4=2ohms (parallel) x 2 subs= 1 ohm (parallel) or 4 ohms (series). This is what I have and I'm running them at 1ohm final. If you want a 2 ohm final load, then get either 2 x single 4ohm voice coil subs and wire them parallel, or 2 x dual 2 ohm voice coil subs and series each sub's voice coils to get a 4ohm load each and then parallel them for a final 2 ohm load. I hope that's clear...lol..