2 12's or 1 18?

[Rudemaxxx]

So right now I have 2 SA-12's in a prefab enclosure. I'm thinking of upgrading to a single NSv3 or a Zv4 18 in a custom enclosure. I was previously going to buy 2 Zv4 12's in a custom enclosure but the store that I was going to buy them from ended up selling them to someone so it's now out of my price range to do that. Granted that I'm going to upgrade my amp, which will i get higher SPL/SQ out of? I know the cone area is greater with the 2 SA-12's but will the HUGE upgrade of the sub quality make a big enough difference to be able to drop down to a single 18 and still be louder?

Edit: Additional info

Edited March 5, 2014 by Rudemaxxx

[hdorre]

Just save yourself the hassle of selling your 2 subs now, then buying another one later... Build a custom box for the SA12s? Wood and TB2 aren't that expensive.

[n8ball2013]

Do 4 sa 12s and call it a day. Cheaper than one 18 and will be louder

[Rudemaxxx]

I'm friends with the local shop I go to and they give me full price refund on anything when I upgrade, So i'd be getting back around 450 or so for both of my SA's and like 150 or so for my box. From there I'd have to build a new box and I kinda have no idea how to build a box on my own. I've never been the best with woodworking and carpentry tbh and I don't have too many tools at my disposal, It'd definitely be fun tho if someone gave me a nice design for box firing up with a rear port for my SA's and a list of materials, because I have no clue what i'm doing in that avenue.

n8 would it still sound "good" if I added 2 more SA-12's or would it just sound goofy? I still feel like a noob running SA-12's instead of a higher quality sub but I'm open to the idea for sure. Do you think the SQ/SPL would be pretty good on 4 SA-12's firing up?

Edit: Left out a pretty important part.

Edited March 5, 2014 by Rudemaxxx

[hdorre]

I still feel like a noob running SA-12's instead of a higher quality sub

Affordable doesn't always equate to "bad." Plus, you'll have four of them.

[Rudemaxxx]

I still feel like a noob running SA-12's instead of a higher quality sub

Affordable doesn't always equate to "bad." Plus, you'll have four of them.

I get what you're saying. I've only been in car audio for just over a year so I'm not the most knowledgeable by far, but that's why I'm here xD. Let's say I wanted to do competitions locally for a trunk/small SUV class, would I get laughed at? I won a small competition at my shop when I put up a 145.2 out of the trunk class and then i put up a 144.9 in the 1200-1500rms category and won that too. I've kinda fallen in love with car audio and want to be more invested into it, but i feel like those guys showing off their kicker walmart shit when I'm demo-ing my SA-12's to guys who have like Zv4's, DD 9900's, etc.

[bassaholicsfl]

2 12s would be better and don't doubt the sas with the proper enclosure they can do very well. It takes a lot of time and practice. If you wanna step up a class Then go to zv3s they have a wider range than they zv4s. Your gonna need to step up amps too. Going 4 12s in a trunk class imo wouldn't help you.

[gr8handogoatness]

I would try to build a good box first. Don't spend A bunch of money trying to get louder when your current setup still has headroom. If the new box doesn't do it for you then Well go from there.

[Ahmed Johnson]

You only been in car audio for a little over a year so you are a noob. Don't feel bad, I been in this shit close to 15 years and I'm still a noob.

[Agreene]

don't doubt the quality of then sundown sa 12s, I personally thing they are the best 2.5 inch coil sized 12

1 18 has more cone area, then 2 12s. so get that right first.

cone area = pi x ( r x r )

r= radius

pi=3.14

1 18 has about 254.47" of cone

2 12s has about 226.19" of cone

if your going for numbers 1 18 is proven to put out better numbers then 2 12s. taking into fact which subwoofers are used

you will probably get better numbers with the ns 18 over 2 sa 12s with the right power

however the 12s will be more musical, and require less room