Can't pick which sub, help!

[elderain]

Already ordered my SAX1200D, but I can't figure out which subs are going to be my best bet. I'm working with between 2.4 and 2.7 cubes (2.4's a simple box, 2.7's a bit more complex in terms of shape). I could give the box a few more inches of depth but I'd really like to work with less room. The box dimensions can be (its a wedge) 12.45h x 44w x 11d1x 7d2. w and h are not negotiable. It's in my grocery getter so I need to maximize space left after this, but I can push the box out to a d1 of 14" and d2 10", if I feel something is really worth it. This is going in a 2006 Saab 9-7x (aka Envoy/Trailblazer).

It looks like I can fit 6" sub depth at the top corner at the max if I'm mounting centered from top to bottom which I'd prefer. Since I haven't chosen a sub yet, I haven't picked the type of box, ported or sealed. There are a bunch of configurations of box/sub/type that will work (also taking into consideration I already have the amp, so keeping to 1200 watts give or take). I don't know which of those combo's will be the smarter choice.

4 E-8's ported

4 E-10's sealed

4 SD-8's ported

2 SD-10's ported

2 SD-12's sealed

2 SA-10's ported (would have to give the box and inch of depth extra to make the 6" have a little clearance behind it)

Not really sure which option makes sense but I need to pick a sub so I can have the box designed around it. Would appreciate some input on what might work best for my application.

Edited August 20, 2013 by elderain

[ToNasty]

Sa"s are my personal favorite

[N9neMillahhh]

Yeah SA's ported would be my choice. But that's cause I can't stand sealed. Lol what type of music and bass do you listen to?

[elderain]

Yeah SA's ported would be my choice. But that's cause I can't stand sealed. Lol what type of music and bass do you listen to?

I listen to primarily EDM, and Rock/Punk. I've never had a ported system yet so I'm not that familiar with the difference in sound (I understand how they work though).

From research I gather that if I was analyzing 2 E-8's vs 2 SD-8's vs 2-SA-8's I would know the choice is easy, but I don't know how to judge this so well when comparing things like 4 E-8's to 2 SA-10's. When comparing similars (2 SA-8's vs 1 SA-10) I know I can look at cone area to see what's moving the most air. I don't understand the technical side of things like motor, spiders, baskets, and how they affect my comparisons. I also don't know how sealed vs ported will affect the judgement of which is better for my situation.

Edited August 20, 2013 by elderain

[N9neMillahhh]

Sounds like sealed would be better for you. Ported boxes produce (sometimes) louder and lower response and aren't as peaky as sealed. But for rock I like seale because of the faster response and tighter sound. So I'd go with sealed, and 4 subs should technically be louder but without the right amount of space for 4 then it won't be as loud as you thought. Usually anyways.

[N9neMillahhh]

Spiders and baskets are important but nothing to keep tabs on unless you're really into car audio or it's a part of your career, or you're educated about em

[elderain]

Sounds like sealed would be better for you. Ported boxes produce (sometimes) louder and lower response and aren't as peaky as sealed. But for rock I like seale because of the faster response and tighter sound. So I'd go with sealed, and 4 subs should technically be louder but without the right amount of space for 4 then it won't be as loud as you thought. Usually anyways.

I have enough room for the E-8's and the SD-8's (at least for 4 of them). From what I read the SA's aren't that great in sealed applications, how much truth is there to that? SA-8's are deeper than the SA-10's so I cant run 4 SA-8's, but I could run 4 SA-10's in sealed if it was the best option but that would hurt my wallet I haven't seen much conversation about which would be better for a sealed application in regards to SD's vs E's (but from the site alone, it sounds like the SD is a step closer to SA's versus the E's. I dont know what sub qualities make something better for a certain box type.

I could also build a sealed box myself (at least confidently) whereas I might farm out something that has more than basic LxWxD dimensions

Edited August 20, 2013 by elderain

[elderain]

Well it looks like my choices got narrowed down a bit. I didn't realize the SD-2 8's didn't come in a D2 like all the others, just a D4 so I can't run 4 at 1ohm.

I guess my choice is between 2 SA-10's and 4 E-8's. Looks like they work out to be almost exactly the same cost. Either would be running in a ported box.

[Camm.eng]

My gf has 2 E8v3's in a ported box. I believe 1.5ish cubes tuned to 35Hz. She listens to country, rap, hip-hop, dub step, rock, pretty much everything. To me they sound great. They hit the lows very well, especially for 8's and are definitely punchy for rock and country. I have a single SA-12 in a 2 ft^3 box at 32Hz and it sounds amazing as well. I would assume that the SA-10's would perform quite similar to the SA-12.

IMO I would go with 4 8's though. It would sound very clean in the proper box and will definitely get loud.

[N9neMillahhh]

Then I'm not sure cause I know the SA's are built for quality over straight SPL and I know that just one SA10 can be crazy, I'd go with the SA but I would probably get the 8s to experiment and just see how they are, how they sound.