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Sub output: Is it the woofer size or the rated RMS

In any subwoofer output, how important is the Watt output versus the woofer size? I have been reading reviews on some subs such as Earthquake, Sunfire and JL audio. The Earthquakes (15" woofers; ~650W) have reportedly more "slam" than the Sunfire (1000W-1500W, 12" woofer), or the 650W-750W SVS, or even the fathoms.
And each of these are box subs.
Or is it really about the proprietary technology unique to every sub?
In other words, what really influences a sub's output for all the wonderful things we want in a great sub?
dogmatix
mmarvin19
157 posts
 
Isn't Q the dude from Star Trek w/ God-like powers?

I don't understand 1/2 of what you guys are saying. Alls I know is, for home theater I want 2 passive cabinents w/ 2 x 15" JBL woofers in each driven by 2 mono 1000w Boulder amps. For stereo music, I'll take a pair of 12" RELs.

Or, I'll take either of the subs (I think its the gigantic one that comes w/ extenal amp & XOver) from Wilson Audio. With Wilson, I wouldn't need more than one sub.
drew_eckhardt
394 posts
 
>Shadorne - I was thinking of three 10" woofers versus one 18" woofer (same area).

That's a bad comparison, because the bigger driver can have more excursion. The bigger surround can move farther, bigger basket accomodates a bigger spider which can move farther, etc.

You'd need 6 long-throw 10" drivers (DPL10 with 333 cm^2 Sd and 19mm xmax) to match one healthy 18" driver (Maelstrom 18 with 1182 cm^2 Sd and 33mm amax).
drew_eckhardt
394 posts
 
>You'd need 6 long-throw 10" drivers (DPL10 with 333 cm^2 Sd and 19mm xmax) to match one healthy 18" driver (Maelstrom 18 with 1182 cm^2 Sd and 33mm amax).

It's probably a bad specific example (the DPL is a high-Q driver appropriate for dipoles and infinite baffles) but there just aren't a lot of high-quality 10" drivers out there.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
3,575 posts
 
Drew - Thanks. I forgot about xmax.
almarg's avatar
almarg
8,673 posts
 
Isn't Q the dude from Star Trek w/ God-like powers?

Maybe, but he was also the guy who created James Bond's gadgets. :)

Shadorne & Drew -- Thanks! I guess we've established, at the very least, that there's a lot more to it all than just WAF and marketing.

Regards,
-- Al
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