Am I splitting hairs on these subs?

EndersShadow
EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
edited April 2012 in Car Audio & Electronics
I keep going back and forth on switching out my Treo for a TC Sounds 12" sub. I am not sure though if I am splitting hairs on them though. Below are the WinISD graphs for each sub. The Treo is in gray and the TC is in green.

The TC has a MUCH flatter frequency response than the Treo, but not a ton more SPL, despite the 500 watt difference in the power handling of these subs.

I am better just keeping what I have now, or is the TC worth the upgrade?

Click on the Photo so you can zoom in...
<a href="http://s715.photobucket.com/albums/ww153/n00bWantingToLearn/?action=view&current=TreovTE.jpg&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww153/n00bWantingToLearn/TreovTE.jpg&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
Post edited by EndersShadow on

Comments

  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited April 2012
    IMO, the most important factor is how they sound. Is there any way for you to hear them both and make your choice based on that?
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2012
    You realize the required vent length for the TC is nearly 30'?

    Have you measured the in room response of the Treo? Do you have any sort of DSP or EQ for your sub?

    Is this for 2 channel or HT?
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited April 2012
    Face wrote: »
    Is this for 2 channel or HT?

    It's for his car.


    Enders - Have you looked at anything from RE Audio or Mach 5? I have a RE Audio SR 12" sealed because while ported @ 35hz, it was too much for me. All I could ever want while feeding it 450~ RMS.

    What exactly are you trying to achieve here? Just go slightly bigger? Hell cost alone is a bit much when comparing all brands listed.
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    edited April 2012
    Ern Dog wrote: »
    IMO, the most important factor is how they sound. Is there any way for you to hear them both and make your choice based on that?

    Not really. I own the Treo right now but am debating selling it for the TC sounds. Since its going from a 10" to a 12" sub I cant re-use the box to test them either.
    Drenis wrote: »
    Enders - Have you looked at anything from RE Audio or Mach 5? I have a RE Audio SR 12" sealed because while ported @ 35hz, it was too much for me. All I could ever want while feeding it 450~ RMS.

    I have not. I am feeding my Treo 500 watts right now and it sounds decent, but it sounds MUCH better with one of the seats down in my Jetta.

    I am hoping that with the extra weight the TC sounds sub would bring I would be able to get that same sound but with the seat up. I also am looking to utilize my amp better. It can do 750 watts @ 2 ohms and 1400 watts @ 1 ohm. I know the TC can only handle 1000 normally but I think that sub is perfect for the amp I have now (Sundown 1200D)
    Drenis wrote: »
    What exactly are you trying to achieve here? Just go slightly bigger? Hell cost alone is a bit much when comparing all brands listed.

    Go a bit bigger, fully ultize the power availible with my amp, and more importantly get a better overall frequency response, and SOUND. My cars HU is pretty limited with regards to EQ abilities.

    I found a the 12" TC used for 200 so I also would be getting a decent deal on it IMHO.

    Long term, I am looking at getting a sub I can use in a bigger car (like a VW Tiguan) when my Jetta retires. So I am kinda trying to get a nice big sub that can move with me. A 15" is just a bit too big and a 10" can only do so much without adding another one...
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2012
    I take it you're going to need a new box with a slot port unless you have room for a 5x30 port.

    Regardless, with cabin gain, you're going to have too much low end.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited April 2012
    It's too bad you weren't closer, I have the perfect slot ported box for you. :razz:

    Anyways, as Face said, you will have lots of low end with cabin gain. You should try a sealed 12 and see how you like it. But I have a feeling your the bass head who wont like that sound.
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    edited April 2012
    Face wrote: »
    I take it you're going to need a new box with a slot port unless you have room for a 5x30 port.

    Regardless, with cabin gain, you're going to have too much low end.

    Yeah, the current box is rhino lined on the outside and built for a 10 so its not gonna work :smile:
    Drenis wrote: »
    It's too bad you weren't closer, I have the perfect slot ported box for you. :razz:

    Anyways, as Face said, you will have lots of low end with cabin gain. You should try a sealed 12 and see how you like it. But I have a feeling your the bass head who wont like that sound.

    I looked at the sealed graph (will post later tonight) and I just didnt see me being happy with it given its SPL (which isnt everything I realize).

    I am a bit of a basshead BUT I also like decent quality sound, I just want to up the bass in it without making it boomy or hang longer than needed. I realize a sealed box is the best bet for good attack and decay, but its also at the expense of SPL.

    As stated my current sub just lacks that visceral punch to my gut I like to sometimes get with the seats up (VW seats are ridiculously thick and well made) and I know it doesnt have as flat of a SPL as the TC does on paper with those specs......
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited April 2012
    I am a bit of a basshead BUT I also like decent quality sound, I just want to up the bass in it without making it boomy or hang longer than needed. I realize a sealed box is the best bet for good attack and decay, but its also at the expense of SPL.

    How many sealed setup's have you heard? Unless you want to show off, I think you'd be surprised what you can get from a properly built sealed enclosure with cabin gain.
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    edited April 2012
    Drenis wrote: »
    How many sealed setup's have you heard? Unless you want to show off, I think you'd be surprised what you can get from a properly built sealed enclosure with cabin gain.

    Its been a bit since I heard one last (used to have a 10" MTX ThunderElite 6000 and a 15" of the same series in sealed boxes, both driven by a 5 channel PPI amp....

    I am not against a sealed box, its just on paper it looks much worse than it probably is. I could also always go with a passive in the box too, but that gets too tricky for my limited skills.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited April 2012
    Big fan of TC sounds subs. Got 2 LMS 12's myself.
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    edited April 2012
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    Big fan of TC sounds subs. Got 2 LMS 12's myself.

    Using them in your HT if I remember correctly......

    I really like the TC spec's and the RMS handling. I will post a sealed v. ported graph tonight when I get home. Its just impossible obviously to see what cabin gain would add to it without building the box and buying the sub first lol......
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited April 2012
    You're thinking about it too much.:cheesygrin:

    I'd get that TC Sounds 12" for $200 and sell it if you're not happy. I doubt you'll be disappointed. I think you'll need more fire power if you want to match the bass output with the seat up. Are you running a single 10?
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    edited April 2012
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    You're thinking about it too much.:cheesygrin:

    I'd get that TC Sounds 12" for $200 and sell it if you're not happy. I doubt you'll be disappointed. I think you'll need more fire power if you want to match the bass output with the seat up. Are you running a single 10?

    Right now its just the single 10 in a ported box with 500 watts (amp can give 750, sub cant take that much :frown:).

    TC would be getting 1000 all day long and could actually get as much as 1500 (what the amp was bench tested at the manufacture for, but its not published anywhere) @ 1 ohm. The amp is a beast :smile:
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited April 2012
    You would probably need 2.
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    edited April 2012
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    You would probably need 2.

    2 in a ported box, or 2 in a sealed box??
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited April 2012
    You could get away with a smaller box if you chose sealed. I haven't heard the lms drivers in a ported box yet but reguardless they rock. Are you buying used from that guy on AVS down by you?
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    edited April 2012
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    You could get away with a smaller box if you chose sealed. I haven't heard the lms drivers in a ported box yet but reguardless they rock. Are you buying used from that guy on AVS down by you?

    :smile: That was the hope. He had 3 left of his 4 last I checked....

    Here is the Treo ported v. LMS-R ported v. LMS-R sealed.

    Attachment not found.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited April 2012
    Which color is the sealed TC sounds? On my iPhone can really see.
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    edited April 2012
    Purple.... the one that seems the most linear :smile:.

    Now you can see why the Ported TC (Green) seems to be more attractive..... but I cant account for cabin gain in anyway with this program...
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited April 2012
    If it was me and I was only going with one 12 I think I would choose the ported version. It'll give you the most spl with less wattage. You could also take it from the car to the house and continue rock'n out. :mrgreen:

    Have you watched any YouTube videos of the lms drivers?
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    edited April 2012
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    Have you watched any YouTube videos of the lms drivers?

    Just found this one.....gives me a couple ideas.............

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxhRbF9kGow

    Not sure I want to tune it to 35 hz though, thats a bit much even for me.....


    Though Drenis I believe this is a sealed box.....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
  • BeefJerky
    BeefJerky Posts: 1,320
    edited April 2012
    Drenis wrote: »
    How many sealed setup's have you heard? Unless you want to show off, I think you'd be surprised what you can get from a properly built sealed enclosure with cabin gain.
    +1. I have a Alpine 12" Type-R sub in a sealed 1cuft box in my CR-V, and I am very happy with it. My ears hit their limits long before the sub does.
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    edited April 2012
    BeefJerky wrote: »
    +1. I have a Alpine 12" Type-R sub in a sealed 1cuft box in my CR-V, and I am very happy with it. My ears hit their limits long before the sub does.

    True, but keep in mind your CR-V has a open ended trunk, I dont in my Jetta. That makes a pretty big difference IMHO.....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    edited April 2012
    Well this seems to be a moot point now as the used TC sounds I was looking at are now all gone :frown:.....

    Oh well.....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited April 2012
    True, but keep in mind your CR-V has a open ended trunk, I dont in my Jetta. That makes a pretty big difference IMHO.....

    More cabin to fill.

    Sedans, coupes, hatches... they all have there weaknesses.

    Put it to you this way, my single 12" SR series (RE Audio - not to confuse with the Polk line) sub in it's 35hz slot ported box (Honestly I think the box was built for a 45~hz tune though) with 450w RMS was enough to make my rear view mirror move, my wipers vibrate. It was MORE than enough. There was so much cabin gain... it became annoying and hurt my ears from the pressure it made.

    Recently just glassed a sealed corner enclosure in my girlfriends car using a new setup consisting of an Orion XTR 12" and a XTR2502 amp. Plenty of clean bass being in a hatch car especially.

    I really think a nice sealed 12 will do very well in your Jetta bud.
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    edited April 2012
    Drenis wrote: »
    More cabin to fill.

    Sedans, coupes, hatches... they all have there weaknesses.

    Put it to you this way, my single 12" SR series (RE Audio - not to confuse with the Polk line) sub in it's 35hz slot ported box (Honestly I think the box was built for a 45~hz tune though) with 450w RMS was enough to make my rear view mirror move, my wipers vibrate. It was MORE than enough. There was so much cabin gain... it became annoying and hurt my ears from the pressure it made.

    Recently just glassed a sealed corner enclosure in my girlfriends car using a new setup consisting of an Orion XTR 12" and a XTR2502 amp. Plenty of clean bass being in a hatch car especially.

    I really think a nice sealed 12 will do very well in your Jetta bud.

    Unfortunately with my budget probably not going to happen.... Still working hard to make sure that the SR's and new headunit I want are going to fit into the budget.......

    I can get by with the Treo for now......
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)