opinions on 2 free air 10's or a enclosed 12" sub

[topaz surfer]

So my kicker free air 10 finally crapped out and I'm trying to decide on going with 2 free air 10's or an enclosed 12? Probably wet sounds to match everything else thats already in the boat. I know a 12 is better than a free air 10 but due to how my araingment of things is in my wall under the dash making a box is going to be pretty challenging but putting another free air 10 back in the original spot and mounting another one above it would be much easier. Also my amps are two Syn 4's that run everything so if I went with 2 10's I still need another amp? Thoughts?

[chpthril]

What sub model, whats its coil configuration and how is it wired to the Syn-4? If you running the current sub @ 4 ohm bridged on a Syn-4, thats 400W rms. Thats decent power for a 12" sub or a pair of 2 ohm 10's, which you wont get from Wet Sounds in the IB 10FA, only the SS, which is not an IB. Kicker doesnt make a true IB.

from a standpoint of moving air, the surface area of two 10's beat a 12, but a single 12 in an enclosure is going to sound better musically, then any number of 10 IB's

[topaz surfer]

Sorry I was wrong the sub is a Clarion CM2503 4 ohm that is bridged from the rear channel of one of my sun 4's and the front runs my two tower speakers. The Wetsounds guys told me that that setup isn't enough power for a XS-12?

[chpthril]

Yeah, 400W is too much for the clarion, especially with it not being a true IB.

The XS-12 performs nicely on 400W rms, but shines at 600W mark. 800W has it at its potential. So if budget is not tight, then pair the XS-12 up with the HT-2. If any of your Syn-4 chnls are driving 2 speakers @ 2 ohm move them to the now open Syn-4 chnls. For a pair of XS-10, I would do the HT-1

[topaz surfer]

Yeah I would like a 12 in a box with a dedicated amp but not in the budget right now, but I need to replace the sub with something and don't want to just get the Xs10Fa and shoot myself in the foot for later upgrades. Also if I go the 12 in a box route I have to rebuild the wall because it has the 10, a XS-650 an old 2" tweeter that is not in use anymore and I have two of my pull out heater vents coming thru the wall so I would have trouble coming up with the space for an enclosure for a new 12 . Also I think the other chnls on the sun 4 are 4ohms to the tower, but not sure Im not a good stereo guy. Why do you suggest the HT amps?

[chpthril]

The HT amps are a marine amp, so thats always a plus. small footprint with a great power to dollar ratio. Class-D efficiency. End caps and standoffs included, make for a clean install.

[viking]

What about the HT-AS10? Has your 10 in an enclosure and amp in one solution? Just a thought!

[chpthril]

^^^^ This would have to located in an enclosed insulated locker, like the port mid-ship. Once the access door was closed, it would be step back as compared to an IB 10 direct-radiating.

[topaz surfer]

Yeah I had thought about the ht as10 but didn't think it would be enough like mike said. I'm going to have to see if I could build a box big enough to get the space for a 12 but it wouldn't be square. Mike do you think that would cause bad performance if it was skinny and odd shaped?

[chpthril]

Yeah I had thought about the ht as10 but didn't think it would be enough like mike said. I'm going to have to see if I could build a box big enough to get the space for a 12 but it wouldn't be square. Mike do you think that would cause bad performance if it was skinny and odd shaped?

enclosure does not need to be square or rectangle. Shape is no too important, its mainly the internal volume. Just dont have the enclosure too shallow that the woofer magnet is right against the back wall.

The AS-10 is a 500W amp, so that, coupled with it being in a sealed enclosure would most certainly be an improvement, until, you place it in a locker.

[topaz surfer]

Shallow I don't think would be a problem. Was thinking about trying to use the existing hole the 10 was in and mount a box up against the wall behind it? Also do you think the 12 in a box with my existing syn 4 bridged at 400w would sound better than the 10 free air that I had or do I still need more power too it? Might do the 12 and wait to buy another amp down the road.

[chpthril]

Shallow I don't think would be a problem. Was thinking about trying to use the existing hole the 10 was in and mount a box up against the wall behind it?

Thats exactly how to do it, but try to not encompass the mid-range speaker basket into the box. It detracts from the speaker as it is sharing that cavity with the IB 10, and it will be worse if its in the small sealed enclosure of the new 12.

If needed, you can move the woofer a little up and to the outside when you enlarge the mounting hole.

Also do you think the 12 in a box with my existing syn 4 bridged at 400w would sound better than the 10 free air that I had or do I still need more power too it?

A larger woofer is the most efficient means to gain output. More surface area to sub output is like gearing down the rear axle is to a tow vehicle. Engine power stayed the same, but you get more work out of it. When the time is right, you've got a plug-n-play amp swap for another gain in performance.

[topaz surfer]

Thanks for the info mike. I will have to get in there and make sure I can make it work and start taking measurements to see how I can make the box and the figure out how to make the existing hole just a little bigger for a 12. My xs650 is far enough away that I should be able to keep it out of the box.

[tnvolgrad]

Try the wet sounds all in one sub - ht as10. I am extremely happy with it and snap to install. $600, but likely no different than the cost of solutions described above.

[chpthril]

Try the wet sounds all in one sub - ht as10. I am extremely happy with it and snap to install. $600, but likely no different than the cost of solutions described above.

Good setup yes, wrong application, as pointed out in post #10