Does size matter on a SUB?

**HiJackZX1** · 05-31-2009, 03:34 PM

I'm slowly starting to get my Car PC done, but have a few questions. Basically on my rear of the truck I am adding 3 AMPS. Two of them will go to the right side and be tucked under my Car PC case. Now because of this I have lost a bit of space because the PC case and amps stick out a bit. I can afford to take up more room, otherwise my 4 dogs can not fit into the car. If I get a 12 inch sub, it will be way to big because of the magnet. If I get the 10 inch the magnet is smaller. The Sub I want tis the Alpine R-Series AMP. Both the 10 and 12 inch seem to use the same power 500 RMS, 1500 Peak.... I was wondering, will I notice the difference in sound? Will 2 inches really make a difference? Also a sub and AMP can be placed together? I am thinking maybe I can build it so I can take out the sub box when the pups are in the car, but the smaller the better for me.

Also can an amp be sitting on its side? Rather then Horizontal, Vertical?

**bigdakota98** · 05-31-2009, 04:21 PM

You can mount an amp on it side or upside down it does'nt matter. Just make sure it can get air to keep it cool. The diffrence between a 10" sub & 12" sub is the type of bass responce. The 12" will be deeper and boomier than a 10". It really depends on you music type.

**colin** · 05-31-2009, 04:32 PM

Basically, yes, you can hear a difference. If you don't buy the 12" in the first place, you'll never know what you're missing and it won't bother you. Its not like it sounds worse, it's just less of a BOOM than a larger sub.

**HiJackZX1** · 05-31-2009, 05:25 PM

Only thing I notice is frequency..... The 10' is 24 -600 Hz, the 12' is 23 - 600Hz. What would be the best sub for movies and music. I may just get the 12', if its too big I will make a quick disconnect system so I can just pull the amp and sub out.

**bigdakota98** · 05-31-2009, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

Only thing I notice is frequency..... The 10' is 24 -600 Hz, the 12' is 23 - 600Hz. What would be the best sub for movies and music. I may just get the 12', if its too big I will make a quick disconnect system so I can just pull the amp and sub out.

I have a 12" sub in my dakota and it was awsome while watching movies.

**digital79** · 05-31-2009, 06:28 PM

You don't want sub and amp inside of sealed box. Heat issues.

Look into shallow mount subs, you can make a large flat box with them.

Movies? Go with 12".

If you prefer quality over quantity: Peerless 830877 12" XXLS Autosound Subwoofer

I got two 10" Alpine Rs, switching to 12". Never enough bass. You just need to deaden the car, otherwise everything will rattle, and the bass is no longer clear.

**HiJackZX1** · 05-31-2009, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by digital79

You don't want sub and amp inside of sealed box. Heat issues.

Look into shallow mount subs, you can make a large flat box with them.

Movies? Go with 12".

If you prefer quality over quantity: Peerless 830877 12" XXLS Autosound Subwoofer

I got two 10" Alpine Rs, switching to 12". Never enough bass. You just need to deaden the car, otherwise everything will rattle, and the bass is no longer clear.

I really had my heart set on the Alpine R-Series sub though, since all the other speakers will be Alpine also. I don't want to mix and match. I don't want bass thats going to get me heard 3 blocks away. Just something to compliment the movies. The AMP I am using is only 500 RMS

**Injector** · 05-31-2009, 09:31 PM

well think what sound is, sound is the vibration of air, that's why kicker started making squared subs because a square has more area than a circle, so in theory it should be louder, but as you said when you increase the size you also change the frequency.

**jake789** · 05-31-2009, 11:14 PM

Type R subs should only be in a ported box. I've only heard bad results when people have tried sealed.

Also from most reviews, the type R is a loud and boomy sub, even in the right box it probably wouldn't be the best choice for movies.

**digital79** · 05-31-2009, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

I really had my heart set on the Alpine R-Series sub though, since all the other speakers will be Alpine also. I don't want to mix and match.

It's OK to mix sub brands with your other speakers.

Single 12" sealed should do fine.

However, if you are really concerned about the space, and can afford an extra driver, go for iso-barik box. It's more complex to build, less loud, and some subs are no good for it, but it cuts box size in half. Read more here.