Should I install 1 or 2 subs

[griminvader]

I've just ordered an Eclipse CD5000 head unit for my 1996 4runner. I'm wondering if i should install 1 or 2 subs

ive seen some people with 1 and others with 2

any suggestions??

 

[my04runner]

Its really a up to personal preference. The sub is in the cabin with you, so one sub is sufficient enough for some people. My single 10" produces what I like, nice clean bass. But it can produce some of the big rumble if I want it to. Guess my sound blasting days are behind me now. :rocker:

 

[sketch1]

That is a decision based solely on what you want. If you want more Bass I would say two, if you just want to improve on the sound quality I would say one. It also depends on how much cargo room you want.

 

[griminvader]

alright thanks

well im on kind of a tight budget so would u guys think i should replace the factory speakers as well?

because i knw that some aftermarket head units require new speakers

 

[sketch1]

No aftermarket unit should require new speakers. Some offer preouts and no internal power source. Meaning you might need an amp, but I would say 90% of all head units offer a power source in the unit. If you have just the basic speakers, not a JBL setup then yes I would recommend new ones. You will notice a huge difference in SQ. However if you have the JBL I wouldnt mess with it unless you are looking to spend 400 plus dollars on a new component set. But if you are looking for new speakers I would recommend Focal. They are a little bit more expensive than most but they will take a lot of power and they sound incredible.

 

[djmodifyd]

i have 2, 12" JL W6V2's
they hit like a mother....but are also VERY clean and crisp. although i do notice that i have the bass turned down quite a bit....unless i actually want to feel my eyeballs vibrate.

one is plenty....but for that extra bump you can get two

 

[atomic punk]

If you're not sure, and you're on a budget.. then start with 1. Build/buy a box for one. If it's not enough, build/buy another box for your second one. Plan ahead (get the correct impedance sub) so, in the future, you can wire up 2 of those subs to your amp and not have the amp blow up.

See my sig. Although I did the opposite of what I just recommended, I started with two because I had the $$, the space, and the time to build them..... but now I'm selling 1 of those sub/boxes because it's too much.

 

[8ac1v1c]

I personally believe in the "You get what you pay for" theory.

I suggest you buy one REALLY good 12" sub and enclosure. None of that Future Shop or Best Buy crap. Look at JL, Clarion, Alpine or even MMATS

Also, if you're new to the Audio/Video scene - don't be fooled by the power output that manufacturers claim. Because unless you paid $700 for a 1000 watt competition series subwoofer - you just got tricked. Learn to read the RMS rating and not the Peak power rating that manufacturers LOVE to display on their product.
Most of the franchise department store subwoofers only put out 200 watts RMS.

T4R's are built like one giant sub box as it is - so one 12" sub is sufficient - because there arent any trunks that baffle the sound.

 

[griminvader]

Alright thanks for the advice guys

 

[kregg]

i have two audiobahn 12s running at 400 watts each and they pound!!!! but they are also very clean with no distortion...

 

[mit_peid]

I have one infinity basslink and it hits "good enough". I had two twelve inch W6's at one point in my Honda Civic, but those days are over. You don' t need that much bass.

I'd invest in the components all the around and a good amp to drive them.

I'm more looking for good balanced sound these days.

 

[Jade]

one was enough for me... but i ended up getting another one. i will let you know how it sounds when i put it in

 

[Jade]

thinking some more about your question..

i think it depends on how much you want to spend. if its between two crappy subs and a crapy amp versus a nicer single sub/amp combo then i woudl chose the nicer single combo.

if there are no money constraints it depends on what you want... i went from one dvc sub... each 2ohm voice coil was put in series to make 4ohm resulting in a ~500watt output.

with my other one, i put the two subs in parallel resulting in 2 ohm load bringing up the power to ~900watts, or about 450watts to each sub.

the results were...violent. i dont generally use that term to discribe sound but its really a visceral experience.

i like sound quality, and if you look at all my components that went into my build, it should be somewhat obvious. the only reason why i have two subs is becuase one broke and i had to send it in to get reconed. i got sick of waiting [4 months] so i bought a new one. one was plenty, two are just ridiculous but its pretty cool to have that on tap.

just some thoughts, i hope that helps

 

[trd_style]

i recently bought a sub+amp from my friend for a great deal. it's an Alpine Type-R 12in that is 600 watts. that night, i hooked it up and man it sounds great. on my headunit, i set the bass as -2 or 0 as my 'primary'. meaning it doesn't POUND. just enough bass where you can relax to it. but i later set it as +4 for pounding and yes it sure does pound pretty good. so to me, 1 sub was enough for me since i didn't want too much attention from drivers around me. i'll get a picture up later.

i guess it depends on the wattage. but it's more about the subs. my sister is getting this 2 15inch JBL this weekend. i heard it and man it pounds like crazy. but i'm more into 'enjoyment' rather than 'pounding'. so like others said, it's really your personal references.

 

[Psythik]

Here's a rule of thumb, two 10"s will get louder (as long as you have a sufficient amp), but one 12" will go deeper. What it comes down to is how much you're willing to pay.

 

[trd_style]

amp could be any wattage which gives the subs power. but the point i'm wondering is, would the size matter or the quantity. i think the bigger the size, the more pounding you get. not the quantity. but that's my 2 cents.

 

[mit_peid]

quality over quantity. thats why you got the 4runner in the 1st place right? get a good amp and 10-12" sub... it'll be all you'll need.

2 subs take up too much space anyway. and the only time you'll turn it all the way up is to get some cute girl's attention.

Good high-powered amp plus good 10" sub is all you really need.

 

[trd_style]

quality over quantity. thats why you got the 4runner in the 1st place right? get a good amp and 10-12" sub... it'll be all you'll need.

2 subs take up too much space anyway. and the only time you'll turn it all the way up is to get some cute girl's attention.

Good high-powered amp plus good 10" sub is all you really need.

i got my 4runner for business use. but since it's my car, i should enjoy it right? but my alpine works great! :biggrin2:

 

[atomic punk]

If you get subs that don't require a huge amount of enclosed space and creatively build a box, you don't have to lose much cargo space. See my setup with 2 10's in my sig file. .82 cu ft each and they hardly take up any room.

trd_style, the more cone area you have, the more air will be pushed. So generally speaking, 2-10's will be louder AND pound more than a single 12", all other things being equal. But Psythik was correct, a 12" can reproduce lower frequencies more efficiently than a single 10.

That's also something to consider: how efficient the sub is.... some 10's will be ALOT louder than others with the same wattage because their sensitivity rating is alot higher (all other things being equal of course).

 

[griminvader]

alright well im most likely putting in a 12" jl audio w6v2 subs with a 1400d jl audio 400watt amp