Notices
996 Forum 1999-2005
Sponsored by:

Are two subwoofers really necessary?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-09-2004, 01:36 PM
  #1  
jwedow
Track Day
Thread Starter
 
jwedow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Are two subwoofers really necessary?

I'm currently in the process of replacing the stock system in my 996. I was under the impression that a single subwoofer can handle the bass output for a decent system, but it seems that the majority of the speaker packages come paired. Is there a gain from running two subs instead of one?
Old 12-09-2004, 02:20 PM
  #2  
Billy Bob Dibble
Instructor
 
Billy Bob Dibble's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

In general no. One should be fine. Generally even when people have two they are enclosed and work together as one. I would listen to the sound and if it sounds good and gets as loud as you want I wouldn't worry about it.
Old 12-09-2004, 02:21 PM
  #3  
SPR
Drifting
 
SPR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: CA
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I have one jl 10w3 and it is more than enough.
Old 12-09-2004, 02:33 PM
  #4  
ventoGT
Three Wheelin'
 
ventoGT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: South Shore, MA
Posts: 1,416
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

2 Subs are definitely not necessary, although in my 996 I had a custom box built with 2x 6" JL 6W0s put in and it sounded great and looked totally factory--I was told that any larger subs would require the rear seats to be taken out and a Sub mounted in the seat...I didn't want to do that so I went with the 6s. With an Amp and good speakers all around, it sounded really good, just if you listen to a lot of Rap it won't pick up the lows as well. In my VW and BMW, I had one 12" woofer and it was plenty...you certainly don't need 2 woofers, but if you are interested in doing what I did with the 6s, let me know and I can send you pics of the box [it is trimmed out to match a black interior car and the woofers you would put in it are down firing [so you can't see them from above]
Old 12-09-2004, 02:55 PM
  #5  
okbarnett
Drifting
 
okbarnett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: tampa
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 0
Received 49 Likes on 39 Posts
Default

It depends on the power and the particular woofer used. One good one and good power may be better than 4 cheap speakers and insufficent power.
It may help to go to several stereo shops and get several ideas. Listen to different equipment.
Old 12-09-2004, 04:20 PM
  #6  
jwedow
Track Day
Thread Starter
 
jwedow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for the info - I'll most likely be putting a single 12" in a truck box and laying it flat behind the rear seats.
Old 12-09-2004, 04:38 PM
  #7  
programmatore
Drifting
 
programmatore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Washington, D.C. Metro Area
Posts: 2,211
Received 6 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I like this installation by Car Audio Innovations:



More info here.
Old 09-21-2006, 02:05 AM
  #8  
pbahorich
3rd Gear
 
pbahorich's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Laguna Hills, CA
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Can you show me the picture of the sub box you built with the two JLs in it? I'd like to make one myself. Thanks.
- Phil
Old 09-21-2006, 03:23 PM
  #9  
himself
Rennlist Member
 
himself's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,736
Received 37 Likes on 28 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by pbahorich
Can you show me the picture of the sub box you built with the two JLs in it? I'd like to make one myself. Thanks.
- Phil
I have 3-6.5" woofers (JL's). No problem with the box fitting.
WOOFER LINK

Smaller woofers will have tighter response, but not as deep a sound. IMO, If you listen to rock/country go for 3 smaller woofers; if you listen to rap, go for one big one.

As a point of reference - 1-12" woofer = 113 sq. in. of cone area, and one 10" woofer is 79 sq. in. Compare this to 3- 6.5" woofer which has100 sq in. of cone surface and 2-8" woofers which has 101 sq. in. You can see that the box size for one 12" 2-8" and 3-6.5" should be pretty close - and the total cone area will be as well.

And, be sure to get speakers with the right impedance for a multi-speaker setup. Your amp will probably like a 4 ohm (or maybe 2 ohm) setup. So plan your purchase accordingly.

-td
Old 09-21-2006, 03:32 PM
  #10  
JC3D
Pro
 
JC3D's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Venice Beach, CA
Posts: 676
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I've got 2 eclipse titanium 12's laying around my garage that aren't going in my car.........
Old 09-21-2006, 07:05 PM
  #11  
10 GT3
Drifting
 
10 GT3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,206
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by jwedow
I'm currently in the process of replacing the stock system in my 996. I was under the impression that a single subwoofer can handle the bass output for a decent system, but it seems that the majority of the speaker packages come paired. Is there a gain from running two subs instead of one?
It depends on the diameter of the cone, size of the coil and magnet. If they are sufficiently large with a clean strong amp, you can easily get adequate sound out of a single subwoofer. In the case of the factory Bose, they use a single woofer in the case of a Boxster, Cayman or 911 Cab due to space limitaions in the center floor. They use 2 speakers in the rear box on coupes due to the small size the area permits for the cones.
Old 09-22-2006, 04:17 PM
  #12  
Tippy
Race Car
 
Tippy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 4,978
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

I have a Infinity basslink in my car, has tons of power and it is just a single 10" woofer with a 10" passive radiator (they are back-to-back). It comes with a built-in 200 watt RMS amp. Very small unit that fits behind the top of the rear seats and the rear deck of the car. About $350



Quick Reply: Are two subwoofers really necessary?



All times are GMT -3. The time now is 09:53 AM.