10" or 12"

[kidintraffic]

I'm building a budget system and I'm to the point of choosing a sub. I'm thinking between the Dayton SUB-100 HT Series 10" or Dayton SUB-120 HT Series 12" or something else.

What kind of sound differences do you get between a 10" and a 12"? From my experience with car audio, I always felt that a 10" had more of a "punch" and can hit faster notes better...such as double bass in a metal song. 12" seemed to get the lower frequencies and seem a bit sloppy at times. This is in a car, so the dynamics should be pretty different. How does this compare in the home theater world?

 

[jasonstilwell]

10 is best all around i think

you hit it right on the nose as far as I know. 10 = more punch and faster response. 12 = deeper lows.

 

[kidintraffic]

What would be the best size for overall sound? I listen to range of music...alot of metal/rock and techno. I also watch a lot of movies. So the sub would need to be able to handle a range of frequencies.

 

[5.7tbi]

I think the whole 10's have more punch and 12's get lower thing is kind of a misconception. I good 12 will be faster and more accurate than an ok 10. I am in to car audio also and I have heard 15's with much better SQ than 10's. I think it would help if gave the room size that you will be putting the sub in. Even if for some reason the Dayton 10 was a little "faster", it's not going to do you any good if your room to big for it to fill.

 

[skers_54]

you hit it right on the nose as far as I know. 10 = more punch and faster response. 12 = deeper lows.

That's not necessarily true. Check out this link for more info.

http://www.audiopulse.com/know-how/subwoofer-driver-guide/myths-about-subwoofers/

The Dayton 12 is recommended a lot around here. Several members are happy with theirs. It has better LF extension and more output, making it better for movies. The difference between the 10 and 12 would probably be negligable for music.

 

[kidintraffic]

That makes sense. The room is is about 19x16 and opens to a dining area. This is also in an apartment, if that makes any difference

 

[Exit]

All things being equal, the 12" will move a little more air and be better filling a larger room.

 

[5.7tbi]

I agree, between the ten or the twelve I would definitely choose the twelve for your room size. Two tens would be even better if you have the room and if they are still in your price range.

 

[TLS Guy]

This is all nonsense. The driver size in of its self is irrelevant. It is the T/S parameters of the driver that matter. JL have an 8" unit that will best most 15"

In a ported enclosure most of the deep bass output is from the port and not the driver.

Whether the bass is tight or boomy depends on the total Q of the design system, and the size of the driver is irrelevant.

The really crucial determinants, are the free air resonance of the driver, the tightness/looseness of the suspension, the linear travel of the driver, and how well the enclosure is matched to the driver.

 

[annunaki]

Thanks TLS!

Please see the subwoofer myths link in my signature line. There is a lot of great info there.

 

[rnatalli]

you hit it right on the nose as far as I know. 10 = more punch and faster response. 12 = deeper lows.

This is a myth. Always go with the largest you can afford as you can always turn the gain down.

 

[annunaki]

This is a myth. Always go with the largest you can afford as you can always turn the gain down.

Headroom is of the utmost importance with a sub system.

 

[GlocksRock]

I have used both of those dayton subs, both are good, but the 12" has more output, and goes a few hz. lower. The 12" isn't that much more either, so I would just get it and be done with it.

 

[lsiberian]

I have used both of those dayton subs, both are good, but the 12" has more output, and goes a few hz. lower. The 12" isn't that much more either, so I would just get it and be done with it.

Both fill my apartment room fairly easily. With the gain at about 20%.

So room size is also a huge factor. I went with the 10". Because I don't plan to keep it too long anyway.

 

[kidintraffic]

Thanks for all the info everyone. New to the forum and learning a lot. The links provided are good reads!

 

[kidintraffic]

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635

Just thought I'd pass this along, in case you haven't seen the deal. $99 for Dayton SUB-120 HT Series 12"