What is better, 2x10" or 1x15"?

[Brad Johnson]

Originally posted by WAKOJACO
the frequency response for many 2x10's are not that different from 1x15's

That's true...and the sound can be completely different.

 

[White_Knight]

Agreed: there's much more to sound than just the frequency response. It's kinda like the difference between a 8" subwoofer that's thumping at 40hz and a 15" subwoofer that's thumping at 40hz. There's definitely an audible sound "color" difference. In my experience, the 8" would sound punchier and crisper, while the 15" would sound warmer and rounder ("fatter").

 

[MikeyD]

Originally posted by White_Knight
Agreed: there's much more to sound than just the frequency response. It's kinda like the difference between a 8" subwoofer that's thumping at 40hz and a 15" subwoofer that's thumping at 40hz. There's definitely an audible sound "color" difference. In my experience, the 8" would sound punchier and crisper, while the 15" would sound warmer and rounder ("fatter").

If the 40 Hz. were a pure tone (pure, steady sine wave), then I think what you are saying is the 8" driver would be adding distortion products at higher frequencies. If it were not distorting, then the pure tone at 40 Hz. should sound the same. It's the harmonics and/or distortion products (including ancillary vibrations of cabinet walls, etc.) that color the sound and give it the characteristics you describe. I don't know how an 8" could sound "punchier" at one steady 40 Hz. than a 15" would.

On the other hand, you did say "thumping", which I take to mean as pulses of a 40 Hz. tone. These pulses actually have other frequency content besides the 40 Hz., some of which can be (depending on the attack and decay rates) quite a bit higher in frequency. The smaller speaker typically reproduces this additional frequency content better than the big speaker, which is why it sounds "punchy" or "crisp" in comparison.

- Mike

 

[TheBassPreacher]

2x12's haha... but on the real side...it depends, if you have a 5 string definatly get the 1x15.... if you don't then I guess its your choice.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Originally posted by MikeyD

Originally posted by White_Knight
Agreed: there's much more to sound than just the frequency response. It's kinda like the difference between a 8" subwoofer that's thumping at 40hz and a 15" subwoofer that's thumping at 40hz. There's definitely an audible sound "color" difference. In my experience, the 8" would sound punchier and crisper, while the 15" would sound warmer and rounder ("fatter").

If the 40 Hz. were a pure tone (pure, steady sine wave), then I think what you are saying is the 8" driver would be adding distortion products at higher frequencies. If it were not distorting, then the pure tone at 40 Hz. should sound the same. It's the harmonics and/or distortion products (including ancillary vibrations of cabinet walls, etc.) that color the sound and give it the characteristics you describe. I don't know how an 8" could sound "punchier" at one steady 40 Hz. than a 15" would.

On the other hand, you did say "thumping", which I take to mean as pulses of a 40 Hz. tone. These pulses actually have other frequency content besides the 40 Hz., some of which can be (depending on the attack and decay rates) quite a bit higher in frequency. The smaller speaker typically reproduces this additional frequency content better than the big speaker, which is why it sounds "punchy" or "crisp" in comparison.

- Mike

I think you answered your own question.