Are two 12 as loud as four 10's?

[HMZ]

I want to know do you think two 12's are as loud or louder then four 10's. I would think it would be close but the four 10's would have the edge.

 

[bongomania]

Irrelevant. You have to look at the efficiency of the cab, not the diameter of the speakers.

 

[HMZ]

in general... I know there are many things to factor in. But if you had to choose.

 

[stingray56funk]

I would say "somewhat" irrelevant...the total speaker surface (diameter) is going to come into play along with efficiency and wattage. 4x10 = 40" of speaker surface where as 2x12" = 24" of speaker surface. Simple math outside of efficiency and wattage will tell you the 4x10 will win!

 

[Jazzdogg]

Irrelevant. You have to look at the efficiency of the cab, not the diameter of the speakers.

+1 Sensitivity is an important factor, as are others (xmax, etc.)

 

[dinghy]

I would say "somewhat" irrelevant...the total speaker surface (diameter) is going to come into play along with efficiency and wattage. 4x10 = 40" of speaker surface where as 2x12" = 24" of speaker surface. Simple math outside of efficiency and wattage will tell you the 4x10 will win!

Pi x R ^2!!!

But without calculating I think you're still right.

 

[Addlepate]

4x10 is "louder" but 2x12 sounds better..... imho.

 

[Falcynn]

Pi x R ^2!!!

But without calculating I think you're still right.

I didn't know about that formula for calculating speaker area, but if that's right then the surface areas for the following speaker set ups would be...

1x10= 78
2x10= 156
4x10= 312
1x12= 113
2x12= 226
1x15= 176
2x15= 352

(I did all these since I was genuinely curious)

So the 4x10 has very roughly about 50% more speaker area than the 2x12. So if I'm correct in thinking this (which I'm probably not since I'm tired) then that should only result in a 1.5 db increase (since doubling the surface area of the speakers results in a 3db increase I believe) which is hardly noticeable.

Also to anyone who may know the answer to this (probably dinghy), is the result of the surface area in square inches or?

 

[alexgeddy]

Hi,

If you do the math, for the are of the speakers a 4x10 has approx. 312 sq inches for all 4 speakers. A 2x 12 has approx. 226 sq inches for both speakers. I have and use both types. I think the 4x10 (depending on the cab) in general is a little louder. But the 2x12 is more room filling and a more solid and fatter low end. Again this depends on the brand of tha cabinets and the type of cabinets, kinda like comparing apples and oranges.... I would personally find a cab you liked and had decent volume, and go with it!! you can always add more cabs!!! Hope this helps!

Bill

sorry falcyn I was doing the math when you posted... I do agree with you the difference is negligible!!!!!

 

[Mcrelly]

Pi x R ^2!!!

But without calculating I think you're still right.

actually the area of a 10" speaker is 78.5 square inches x 4 = 314 sq/in

the area of a 12" speaker is 113.04 sq/in x 2 = 226.08

228.08/314 = .7264 x 100 = 72.64%, so 212s area is almost equal to a 310 cab.

 

[Mcrelly]

I didn't know about that formula for calculating speaker area, but if that's right then the surface areas for the following speaker set ups would be...

its the formula for calculating the area of a circle, so I guess the area of a 'cone' would yield larger, but probably proportional numbers.

I'm suprised you knew what "pi" was...

sorry, I'm just in a sarcastic mode today...

 

[Falcynn]

sorry falcyn I was doing the math when you posted... I do agree with you the difference is negligible!!!!!

No problem, anyways you answered my question about whether the result was in square inches so thanks.

its the formula for calculating the area of a circle, I'm suprised you knew what "pi" was...

sorry, I'm just in a sarcastic mode today...

Lol, I'm just tired

 

[staeva]

I guess it all depends on the amplifier settings and the ammount of power output.

 

[figuredbass]

This is all pretty much in the ballpark. Another thing to consider is that not only do four 10's have roughly 50% greater surface area that move more air to begin with, but four 10's generally can handle much more power than two 12's of the same basic type. This translates to even more potential real world volume from the four 10's.

 

[bongomania]

Yes, 1.5dB difference as noted earlier.

 

[alexgeddy]

I use an aggie 2x12 rated at 600 watts rms.... my swr 4x10 is 700watts rms...so me thinks the power problem is neglible...100 watts at that level won;t do a whole lot for you !!

 

[figuredbass]

Yes, 1.5dB difference as noted earlier.

What I meant is you'll START OUT with the 1.5dB from the increased of surface area of the 10's over 12's (yes, as you noted earlier ), but will then be able to feed MORE power into the tens on top of that, resulting in an even louder actual difference in terms of practical use.

 

[figuredbass]

I use an aggie 2x12 rated at 600 watts rms.... my swr 4x10 is 700watts rms...so me thinks the power problem is neglible...100 watts at that level won;t do a whole lot for you !!

Absolutely right. That's why in one of my previous posts I qualified the comparison by saying "of the same basic type" [drivers]. The Aggie and SWR drivers sure aren't the same, as you noted.

 

[alexgeddy]

hi,

on paper it sounds a go for the 4x10...unfortunately it's all paper ...i just played a biker party with a 2x12 and FOH support and it was great sound...(my cab was rated at 600 w rms) 100 less than most 4x10s.....it's all personal preference....Ampeg 4x10s sound great till you it em with !power...... go with what fills your budget and sounds good.!!!! just buy quality stuff you can upgrade with later !!!!!!


my 2 cents worth

 

[alexgeddy]

Heyyyy,

let's just get the right cab ..not worry about DBs ... the human ear can't hear the diference betweeen 1.5DB.....get him playin!!!!!!!!!!


bill