Dual or quad sub

[dirtydee]

I want to build a sub system for music, i have 1200w of power to work with....

my question is,

Sub A is a 89db@1w1m rated for 150w rms for $45.00.

Sub B is 89db@1w1m rated for 550w rms,and that's $90.00.
both these subs are 12"
what would have more output, speaker A setup running 4 subs, or B running 2 subs? would the two extra cone's in sub A add more output even though is running less power?

thanks for your opinion

 

[mtrycrafts]

I want to build a sub system for music, i have 1200w of power to work with....

my question is,

Sub A is a 89db@1w1m rated for 150w rms for $45.00.

Sub B is 89db@1w1m rated for 550w rms,and that's $90.00.
both these subs are 12"
what would have more output, speaker A setup running 4 subs, or B running 2 subs? would the two extra cone's in sub A add more output even though is running less power?

thanks for your opinion

Mathematically speaking, they would be equal. But, you'd have to build two more cabinets. But with 4, one by each side of the room as Dr Toole would suggest from his AES paper, you would get better smoothness.

 

[j_garcia]

If you are talking about a single enclosure, 4 drivers will have more output, but it will be extremely large. If you are talking about 4 separate enclosures, 4 subs will be very difficult to calibrate. IMO, I'd go with two single driver subs.

 

[agarwalro]

Why problem calibrating ?

I dont understand why there should there be a problem calibrating 4 subs ?

All you have to do is, calibrate each sub individually keeping other 3 off (to calibrate each sub for room acoustics and location in room). Once all 4 are calibrated in this manner, run all 4 together and reduce the trim through the processor so that the overall volume from 4 subs is calibrated to the rest of the system.

 

[j_garcia]

Calibration isn't the right word, I should have said getting them all to work together to achieve flat response. It won't be a problem if they are all located in one spot. If not, there is about a 90% chance that cancellation will occur, most likely creating huge dips/nulls.

 

[MacManNM]

I dont understand why there should there be a problem calibrating 4 subs ?

All you have to do is, calibrate each sub individually keeping other 3 off (to calibrate each sub for room acoustics and location in room). Once all 4 are calibrated in this manner, run all 4 together and reduce the trim through the processor so that the overall volume from 4 subs is calibrated to the rest of the system.

Not true. By running multiple you help excite modes in the room. A parametric eq and a complete frequency sweep is needed (at the least) to properly set up multiple subs.

 

[annunaki]

I agree with MacManNM. With a little research and calculation, 4 woofers strategically placed, would balance the output in the room quite well. The linear frequency response would be quite good. Especially if an eq were introduced into the system.

What type of subs do you plan on getting? I would suggest that the woofers have a lower Fs (20hz-25hz) and a Qts around .4 -.5, roughly speaking. If you have the T/S parameters I can model a few enclosure designs for you?