6" Sub or 10" Sub

[Jay_C]

Hi Guys

First of all this is not a sandwich related question

I have 2 Subs I’ve tested both individually and the time between swapping them over I’m having difficulty knowing which is giving better results.
Because the 6” can output a low frequency I would think that I would get better results with it, however I’m also thinking that the 10” will be able to move more air in turn giving better results.

6" Sub that handle 40-200hz (Mission AS6E)
10" Sub that handle 50-250hz (Eltax Thunder 10)

Thanks


System Details :

ONKYO TX-NR509 (Amp)
Mission AS6E 6" Active (Sub)
Eltax Thunder 10" Active (Sub)
Bowers Wilkins 685 (Front)
Gale 3050C (Center)
Gale 3010S (Rear)

 

[timoteo]

The only time I would use a 6" sub would be for a computer desk setup. Otherwise, a 6" just wouldnt have nearly enough output for any medium+ size room for me. To be honest, a 10" sub is the minimum size sub I would ever recommend in any sort of home theater.

Of course it also depends on the quality between the 2 subs. If the 6" sub was a really well made sub & the 10" a junker then that's a different story. I have no experience between the 2 you are asking about so the first paragraph I typed is subjective.

The 6" specs may say it goes lower in comparison to the specs of the 10" but you can't compare the 2 subs that way because we don't know how loud those frequencies are being played. Even if we had the -3dB (F3) it still wouldn't tell us everything. So I would do this: play a few action scenes from some movies & play them at the loudest you would typically listen to them at. Make sure each of them are adjusted properly & listen to which sounds better to you. The 6" being smaller probably wont get as loud or as low as the 10". However it's not always about which is the lowest/loudest sub. Listen for which SOUNDS better to you!

There are a lot of bass heads around here & for a lot of us a 10" is too small for us. But you need to choose the sub that sounds best to you!

I see in your sig that you have both subs. Do you own both & are trying to decide which to use? Or are you trying to figure out which one to buy?

Right off the bat my thought is " Use the 10"!" but like I said, there is more to it than just driver size....

Hope this helps ya!

 

[slipperybidness]

Can you use both?

 

[j_garcia]

You have the response incorrect for the 10" sub. It is 35-250Hz, so you must be looking at the crossover frequency. That sub only has 50W, so I wouldn't expect a lot of output from it, but I agree with timoteo's first comment that I'd never use a 6" sub for a main system.

 

[timoteo]

The Sunfire Atmos is probably the most powerful 6" sub & I still would only use it for a small bedroom theater...MAYBE!! But for the price I'd never buy it.

 

[templemaners]

A 6" subwoofer is an oxymoron. I wouldn't use it in any situation outside of a low cost computer setup.

 

[GranteedEV]

a 6" driver simply lacks efficiency and displacement.

even a 10" driver is pretty wimpy.

For vented i'd start at 12" and for sealed i'd start at 15"

 

[timoteo]

+1^

However this is about helping the OP decide between the 2 subs in question. based only on what I know about subs in general I would recommend the 10" in the theater & the 6" under his desk in a 2.1 computer setup.

Then when he can afford it, get a real sub in the 12"-15" range!!

 

[Jay_C]

The only time I would use a 6" sub would be for a computer desk setup. Otherwise, a 6" just wouldnt have nearly enough output for any medium+ size room for me. To be honest, a 10" sub is the minimum size sub I would ever recommend in any sort of home theater.

Of course it also depends on the quality between the 2 subs. If the 6" sub was a really well made sub & the 10" a junker then that's a different story. I have no experience between the 2 you are asking about so the first paragraph I typed is subjective.

The 6" specs may say it goes lower in comparison to the specs of the 10" but you can't compare the 2 subs that way because we don't know how loud those frequencies are being played. Even if we had the -3dB (F3) it still wouldn't tell us everything. So I would do this: play a few action scenes from some movies & play them at the loudest you would typically listen to them at. Make sure each of them are adjusted properly & listen to which sounds better to you. The 6" being smaller probably wont get as loud or as low as the 10". However it's not always about which is the lowest/loudest sub. Listen for which SOUNDS better to you!

There are a lot of bass heads around here & for a lot of us a 10" is too small for us. But you need to choose the sub that sounds best to you!

I see in your sig that you have both subs. Do you own both & are trying to decide which to use? Or are you trying to figure out which one to buy?

Right off the bat my thought is " Use the 10"!" but like I said, there is more to it than just driver size....

Hope this helps ya!

I own the 10" but not the 6" im just testing that one.

Can you use both?

The 6" doesnt belong to me but yes i could use both if i wanted. I can only find one sweet spot in my room for the sub, so they would have to be next to each other.

You have the response incorrect for the 10" sub. It is 35-250Hz, so you must be looking at the crossover frequency. That sub only has 50W, so I wouldn't expect a lot of output from it, but I agree with timoteo's first comment that I'd never use a 6" sub for a main system.

Oh man so i do for both subs .I dont actually have the manual for the Mission and have been unable to locate it on the internet so i dont know what the responce is on them, based on the fact it has a lower value for the crossover does that indicate in any way what to repsonce might be?

The Sunfire Atmos is probably the most powerful 6" sub & I still would only use it for a small bedroom theater...MAYBE!! But for the price I'd never buy it.

I have searched for that sub and cant find a price, but based on the prices of there other sub product ye they are WAY WAY to pricy

 

[Jay_C]

the size of my room is
3.64M (D) 2.38M (W) 2.37M (H)

Im looking for this to be my completed setup:-

Superfi - B&W 685 THEATRE HOME CINEMA SPEAKER PACKAGE

however from what everone here is saying im thinking the B&W ASW610 SUBWOOFER would be a better choice it is £150 more expencive which is quite alot for me ATM . what your thoughts on this package for the room sizes?

also this could be the size of another room ill probably move the setup to
4.8M(D) 3.8M(W) 2.37M(H)

 

[timoteo]

The B&W 685 system is a great system for sure!! It might not be the best bang for buck (since B&W is a bit pricey) but you are still getting a high quality product with good engineering & great sound. I have owned most of the speaker options in the new 600 series at one time or another so I'm speaking from experience. My opinion may be a bit biased because I own & like them so take it for what it is, an opinion!

I would suggest staying away from the B&W subwoofers though. Mainly just because they are overpriced IMO. If you can get a deal on a used one then go for it. But the newer models are all sealed subs. For less money you could get a better performing sub from HSU, SVS, Outlaw etc. A well designed ported sub will be clean & "musical" yet have the b@lls when it comes to a slammin movie.

I say use the 10" you have now, save up & get the B&W speakers your planning on getting to complete your system, then get a 12" or 15" sub from one of the well respected Internet Direct companies such as the ones mentioned above. This will leave you with a great sounding system that will last you many years...until you get "upgradatitis" again haha!!!

 

[Jay_C]

The B&W 685 system is a great system for sure!! It might not be the best bang for buck (since B&W is a bit pricey) but you are still getting a high quality product with good engineering & great sound. I have owned most of the speaker options in the new 600 series at one time or another so I'm speaking from experience. My opinion may be a bit biased because I own & like them so take it for what it is, an opinion!

I would suggest staying away from the B&W subwoofers though. Mainly just because they are overpriced IMO. If you can get a deal on a used one then go for it. But the newer models are all sealed subs. For less money you could get a better performing sub from HSU, SVS, Outlaw etc. A well designed ported sub will be clean & "musical" yet have the b@lls when it comes to a slammin movie.

I say use the 10" you have now, save up & get the B&W speakers your planning on getting to complete your system, then get a 12" or 15" sub from one of the well respected Internet Direct companies such as the ones mentioned above. This will leave you with a great sounding system that will last you many years...until you get "upgradatitis" again haha!!!

Thanks for your input and suggestions. With you help from anther post on crossovers I’m getting a lot more from my sub now.

My 10” sub will do me for now, unfortunately the manufactures you recommended for subs I can’t seem to get in the uk so closer to the time I’m upgrading ill post about possible alternatives, what can a sealed sub do tha a ported cant?

I also noticed on you Sig you have a Shaker would you recommend in investing in one of those in the meen time?

 

[Bryceo]

I personally wouldn't run any
Of those samwitch sized subwoofers

 

[timoteo]

You know what JayC, I bought the shaker because I got a good price on it. I really didn't think inwas going to like it much. I thought it would be a little silly & distracting to be honest. But once I got it set up & dialed in correctly I was very impressed with how much impact it added to movies!! I don't use it for music. In fact I only use the VTF-15H for music & TV watching. When I sit down to enjoy a movie, I use the VTF-15H, the MBM-12 & the shaker. Now that makes for quite the experience I can tell you that!! So yes I would recommend a shaker however for the price of one I would recommend you use that $ & put it towards a bigger better sub. THEN invest in a shaker to compliment the larger sub.

By the way!!!......ignore this troll Bryce who just posted. He started another thread just to act like a fool. His thread got shut down fortunately. He has nothing to contribute.

 

[a2channelman]

Can't help but think how low my 8" goez and er measurez to (I have a stereophile test disc) Energy ESW V8 cast frame 8'', fibreglass cone n funky surround , wrapped leads , nice cabinet , nice connectors , 200W Bash . I love it real usable bass to 30hz .

 

[Hookedonc4]

Sub

Not sure if you bought a sub yet. Checkout James Loudspeaker subs.

I have the powerpipe with the M1000 sub amp and an EMB-1000 and they rock...

 

[tattoo_Dan]

Hi Guys

First of all this is not a sandwich related question

I have 2 Subs I’ve tested both individually and the time between swapping them over I’m having difficulty knowing which is giving better results.
Because the 6” can output a low frequency I would think that I would get better results with it, however I’m also thinking that the 10” will be able to move more air in turn giving better results.

6" Sub that handle 40-200hz (Mission AS6E)
10" Sub that handle 50-250hz (Eltax Thunder 10)

Thanks


System Details :

ONKYO TX-NR509 (Amp)
Mission AS6E 6" Active (Sub)
Eltax Thunder 10" Active (Sub)
Bowers Wilkins 685 (Front)
Gale 3050C (Center)
Gale 3010S (Rear)

IMO,go big,or go home,I say 12" or bigger only !