2x12", or 1x15" - Which is best for MAX SPL?
 

I've got a dillema. I'm building a big box, and I can put either 2 x 12" subs, or 1 x 15" sub in it, but not both as I would like. I want to make the maximum SPL. The box will be ported, obviously. I'm driving it with a class D amp which is rated at 1500 watts x 1 @ 14.4v, 1185 watts x 1 @ 12.5v. Either way, my 15" sub is an oldschool Cerwin Vega Stroker 15" dual voice coil which will be setup in parallel for 2 ohm load. My 2 x 12"'s are also oldschool JBL GTi1200 1000watt (600rms) 4 ohm, which will also be wired to 2 ohm load.. I'm using 1/0 gauge for power with multiple batteries and caps, but it's not relevent. The 15" put's out a bigger sine wave, however the 2x12"'s would have a larger surface area, but slightly smaller sine wave.. I just dunno which one would be best for max SPL? I'm leaning towards the 2x12"'s..

So which is better? 2x12", or 1x15"??

why not build 2 boxes and see which one is louder.....

2 12's.

What do you mean a bigger sine wave?

If you are going strictly SPL, 2 12's

go with the pair of 12's

i think the stroker would be louder than the gti s

there is no replacement for displacement

Spl wise, go with the pair of 12"s

from personal expierience, 2 12 with less power... louder then 1 15 with more power.

I've had a 15" L7 in a ported box that was great but my pair of 12"s move way more air.

I personally think 2 12" will be louder than 1 15 because of cone area. Generally, a 12" sub has a cone area of 113 square inches. So multiply this by 2.
113*2= 226 square inches.

On the other hand, 1 15" is 192 square inches.

So 2 12" have more cone area, thus moving more air :)

But the box plays a major factor. You could probably make 1 15" louder if you make a proper box :)

Whoa... what 12" sub has 113 square inches of cone area?? Must have some pretty thin basket and surround.

lol


maybe its has the invisible type.

i say 1 -15
but imho too many variables to determine that... you haven't even made a mention as to what vehicle its going into

but i figured as the name says... a dbking should already know this answer :)

build a really good box for 2 12s and then erpgrade subs n power down the road :)

my 2 kicker l5 12" in a custom ported box hit 145ish @ 36hz :) last time i metered it
amp v900xd rated at 1000rms at 14.4v 2ohm