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A question on subs and their differences

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Old 12-04-2007, 05:42 AM
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A question on subs and their differences

Hey everyone,

I was wondering, whats the difference between cheaper and wayyy expensive subs that have similar specs? For example, if I were to compare a 10" Fosgate sub to a 10" Focal sub, why is there so much of a price difference and what SQ benefit would I get?

Secondly, what size of sub (if space in car is not an issue) sould be gotten for SQ? I have a 10" right now.
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Old 12-05-2007, 12:49 AM
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Bump. Anyone?
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Old 12-05-2007, 07:26 AM
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it depends by what you mean similar specs. if you look at t/s specs of both woofers, I'm sure they differ quite a bit. also the technology/parts used for cone/suspension/motor etcc... varies.

as for the size of the sub, there is no right size for SQ. it's all in the set up.
do a search on "subwoofer speed" or something along those lines and you'll get tons of technical info.
you can run 8 or 18 and still get the "sq".
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Old 12-05-2007, 07:48 AM
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...

There can be alot of differances between woofers that seem the same as far awer ratings go...that said there can also be truely similar woofers that very in price alot...its all in the name in same cases...you can pay more for a POS JL audio woofer than you will for alot of other way better speakers from companies that people haven't heard of before
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Old 12-05-2007, 02:12 PM
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it is not always the $$$ tag that makes the difference in
sound...
quality in materials,cone shape and magnetic force exc
all have an effect on performance

I have heard some really expensive woofers that
were a complete let down...the JL audio W12's were the
biggest dissapointment that I have spent my money on


the biggest difference I have seen yet between woofers
is comparing ANY woofer to a JBL WGTI with the differential
drive design...
there is a voice coil at each end of the former..each with
it's own magnetic gap...
at low power both coils drive the woofers cone..
as power increases one coil rides completely out
of it's magnetic gap while force is still applied by the
other coil...
at extreame high power each coil enter's the other coils
magnetic gap producing magnetic braking..

bassically what this does is make the bass rock solid tight
and the more power you push into them the tighter the sound
becomes...having a current servo amplifier driving them produces
bass that drops any jaw
these woofers have dominated the SQ and SQL comps since
their release back in 2002/2003
awsome design..I am giving my GTI's well over 2X their rated
RMS and they take it very well...
any regular woofer design in my mind is now obsolete
and has no place in my install

for SQ with the right set up woofer size is not really an issue..
Garry Biggs (team JBL) has won the International Sound Quality
trophy 5 or 6 years in a row with a pair of W15gti subs in sealed
enclosures...
personally I like the sound of my 10"...they are very tight and
do not over power my components...
woofer size depends on your personal listening taste

Last edited by thumpper; 12-05-2007 at 02:18 PM.
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Old 12-05-2007, 02:56 PM
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Key differences:

1. Output
2. Linearity
3. Size and suitability of Alignments
4. Build Quality
5. Tooling and R&D
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Old 12-06-2007, 05:32 AM
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Okay, so let me get this straight. You are telling me that the JBL sub is better than all the other subs out there?? What about JL Audio W7? is there any other sub that would come close in terms of tightness and SQ?

Secondly, a 10 inch sub from Rainbow or Focal compared to a 10 inch sub from fosgate, both of which have the same frequency responses and similar power ratings...will they have difference SQ? if yes, why?


Thanks for the answers. Although I am looking at a high SQ which is lower in price than the JBLs, have any in mind that come close?
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Old 12-06-2007, 11:17 AM
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out of all the choices you mentioned the Focal sub imo
has the best SQ..RF subs have never been known for
outstanding SQ....although the specks are simular the
Focal is made from materials and designed in a way
that makes them more musical ...
different former material,motor force,cone shape ec...


don't take my work on the DD design Wgti's being the best
SQ sub on the market...here is a link the comp record speaks
for itself
JBL Car & Marine Audio

if you want SQ I would stay away from RF...they get loud and all
but they have far from impressive musical ability...
and the JL W7 subs are the most over rated sub on the plannet..
they are nothing compared to all the hype around them..I had
a pair of 12W7's ..they are not for those who get mid evil on
the power and the SQ really isn't that overly impressive

for the price range you are looking into check out the JBL
Power series,Focal or Infinity
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Old 12-07-2007, 12:03 AM
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this is kind of a side note. but i just looked at sub sonic's cardomain.

and im a firm believer that sq cannot be had when there are 2 tweeters per side pointed in totally different directions.

totally not on the topic of woofers. but i just thought i'd point that out.

and also. with enough tuning u can get almost any woofer to sound good.
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Old 12-07-2007, 01:36 PM
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What kind of subwoofer tuning are we talking about? the crossover setting or the tuning of the sub enclosure? My RF 10inch punch series sub is mounted in an infinte baffle config and plays below 120 Hz. The crossover and EQ is set by the Pioneer Auto TA and EQ function

Any suggestions?
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