1 12" or 2 10" 's ?

[Nu Concept]

i wanted to either get :
1 12" polk/momo loaded sub @ 500 watts
or
2 jl audio 10w3's @ 500 watts
or
1 jl audio 12w6v2 @ 500 watts

i have only heard the polk/momo setup in person and it sounds great. can you guys gimme some feedback?

[JL Tech]

Two 10W3 subwoofers will have more surface area than one 12" subwoofer (+30%). This difference would be equal to about +1 dB of output efficiency. The reliability of two 10W3's can be greater because the power will be split over four voice coils insted of two (splitting hairs). Enclosure volume requirements will be about the same (two 10W3's vs. one 12W6v2), but the linear dimension will be greater to fit two 10's.
There will be some that will tell you that big woofers are not as accurate as smaller ones and related stories. I am not here to say they are or not, but I can tell you that this story does not apply to products offered under the JL Audio brand name.
If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

[Nu Concept]

which setup would be better using stock gts speakers and an aftermarket head unit?

[JL Tech]

It has no effect upon woofer performance.

[SQ GT-S]

What are you looking for as far as sub output? Do you want a really loud system, or just something that will add nicely for sound quality?

If you stick with the same version of JL's (ie v1 or v2), I belive the voice coils are the same between the 10's and 12's. On that, they also have similar excursion numbers. As JL Tech said, the surface area of two 10's is greater than a single 12, and also require similar airspace. The choice is dependant on what you want to see in your trunk, and how it all fits. I would personally go with a single 12" to simplify things.

As for between the Polk and JL subs, I would recommend the JL's. From my experience, they have much tighter bass than the Polk's do.

Curt

[Nu Concept]

Originally posted by JL Tech
It has no effect upon woofer performance.

i meant which one would sound better.

[Nu Concept]

Originally posted by SQ GT-S
What are you looking for as far as sub output? Do you want a really loud system, or just something that will add nicely for sound quality?

Curt

a little bit of both. i definately want a sealed/non-ported setup though.

[My68Spit]

so would 2 10"s in band-pass boxes be the better way to go? I am also in the same predicament...

[Mike00]

I've only heard a single 10 JL. But I personally have a JL 12 w7 and I think it sounds a lot better then the 10. Not sure how two 10's would compare but I don't think you can go wrong with one 12 w7.

[SQ GT-S]

A 12w7 is a large woofer, and not to mention very heavy. Yes, it has some tight bass, but it's intended more for SPL. I would recommend the 12w6v2 over the 12w7 if you plan on a system that is intended for sound QUALITY, not quantity. But don't get me wrong, a 12w6v2 will hit pretty hard if you want it to.

Curt