Better to run 2 meduim subs or 1 large sub ?

poloman1211

i just got a yamaha reciever that is 7.2 and has 2 sub outs. and i was thinking of upgrading my sub to a larger one but since it has 2 sub out, i was just thinking of putting another 10' velodyne sub, i currently have one but was thinking of upgrading to a 12' sub. so, my question is, which is better 2 10' subs or 1 12' sub?

thanks for your reply

thsmith

Depends on your room and sub placement. For me I found one great sub was better than 2 or more good subs.

dekuda

I like having two good subs because for me it gives me more flexibilty in setting up the sound in my room(Especially for music) . But to tell you the truth, I never had a really great sub. Actually,depends on what you consider great and what you are using it for.If you do,try Epik.....US made!;)

McLoki

Depends - If the one bigger sub, just plays louder but does not go any deeper - I would go with 2 subs. Much better chance of getting a smooth bass response in your room with 2 subs.

If the one larger sub does dig deeper - Go with the one larger sub. i.e. - If you can have 2 10" retail purchased type subs, or a single SVS - get the SVS...

danz1906

McLoki wrote: »

Depends - If the one bigger sub, just plays louder but does not go any deeper - I would go with 2 subs. Much better chance of getting a smooth bass response in your room with 2 subs.

If the one larger sub does dig deeper - Go with the one larger sub. i.e. - If you can have 2 10" retail purchased type subs, or a single SVS - get the SVS...

Agreed, One SVS PB-13 Ultra will do the job...Two would be Crazy Awesome:D

poloman1211

thanks for the replies

also can you run two different brand/size subs ? like a 10" and 12" ? will it sound ok.

since i have the velodyne 10" already, i can just add a 12" sub?

ben62670

You need to list your other equiptment, and wether music, or movies is prefered.
Ben

concealer404

poloman1211 wrote: »

thanks for the replies

also can you run two different brand/size subs ? like a 10" and 12" ? will it sound ok.

since i have the velodyne 10" already, i can just add a 12" sub?

I wouldn't mix and match... just makes things way more complicated than need be.

Uilleann

Bear in mind that as a general rule, as you increase the size of your driver, your response time can suffer. Also, and again as a very general rule, the larger the driver's surface area (say 12" as opposed to 8" or 10"), you generally will see a lower resonnt frequency, and the bass will sound lower to the ear.

If you like tight, punchy bass, usually a smaller diameter will serve well such asan 8-10". However, if you prefer loud, rumbly, or boomy bass, or tend to watch movies such as action or scifi with a good deal of explosions and large transients, you may find tat you prefer a larger driver in the 12-15" range. The cabinet will also play a role of course, with a sealed design giving a tighter response and sometimes a higher power handeling capacity - and a ported or 'bass reflex' style offering more boom with fewer watts, but sacrificing some of the punch, control and accuracy of a sealed design.

On the surface, I would guess that twin subs would afford a greater range of flexibility than a single larger unit would. You should also have greater volume from twins as well, assuming they are each either powered, or run on their own discrete amp channels. You will move more air with twin 8's for xample, than a single 12". But again, bear in mind that the 12" may sound 'lower' in pitch.

In short, there's no easy way to answer your question, and remember that much of this is completely subjective. What one of us may strive for in our own sound, may or may not be your own personal 'Holy Grail'. One thing is certain, and worth bearing in mind - too much bass (easily possible with two subs not well controled) will have the potential to ruin your tone and enjoyment quite quickly. Do let us know how you manage. All the best!

Brian~

treitz3

Brian, that's the second well written and thought out post from you that I've read this morning [out of the only two you have posted so far on this forum]. Nice!

Welcome to Club Polk.

Uilleann

Thanks guys for the welcome. Now if only the bloody spell checker was working last night on the fiance's laptop I was using to type all that. LOL Thanks for your kindness in not flogging me for all the dorkish spelling mistakes!

At any rate, I've spent a good deal of time over the years working with a lot of different sound environments, from installing car audio for a few years, to working at our local planetarium and helping to set up and manage our star theater dome acoustically. I have a tiny bit of experience in audio...but I'm here to learn much much more! Home audio is a new venture for me so to speak, and while my current arrangement is modest to say the least, both the fiance and I are quite happy with the results.

Bring on the knowledge fellow Polksters!

Cheers!

Bri~

P.S. Not meaning to hijack your thread there Poloman - apologies!!!