what size subs

[ovrkll77]

I have a 98 warlock 28 sxt. I bought the boat with some crapy 15" subs, and I want to replace them with 12". The box that the subs where in was not designed good, so I have to rip it all out and start new.
So my question is, would 4 12' s be better than 4 15' s? Another question is what location should I put them in. Oh yeah I have 2 fosgate 8002' s that will push them.

['78 gt boat]

15's hit deeper and can carry the bass farther away. 12's are considered more of an all around sub. It all depends on the type of music you like. Also when you run 15's you have to make the box a lot bigger to get the right sound. You can get 12's that only need 1 cubic foot of air space vs a 15 needing 2 to sometimes 3 cubic feet. I have 2 12's and they only need a total of 2 cubic feet of airspace. How much air space do you have?

[ovrkll77]

15's hit deeper and can carry the bass farther away. 12's are considered more of an all around sub. It all depends on the type of music you like. Also when you run 15's you have to make the box a lot bigger to get the right sound. You can get 12's that only need 1 cubic foot of air space vs a 15 needing 2 to sometimes 3 cubic feet. I have 2 12's and they only need a total of 2 cubic feet of airspace. How much air space do you have?
I probably had 3 cubic feet, but the box was built using the side of the boat, so it rattled the whole side. Could I just build a box and keep it on the sides, or will it still rattle away?

['78 gt boat]

The amps you have are pretty powerfull. Choosing a subwoofer correctly will make the system sound the best. Based off of these amps I would suggest a DVC subwoofer. This way you can ensure you are getting the 800 watts these amps can put out. If not you could risk the chance of only getting 500 watts per amp. A DVC ( dual voice coil ) subwoofer gives you more choices when wiring the subs up. What amp are you going to run for the mid's and high's? What speakers do you have (mid's and high's)?

['78 gt boat]

For 3 cubic feet you may be pushing it for 4 12's. You could run 3. A lot of people use them. Where is the box located?

['78 gt boat]

you could make 2 of the right 12's pound with the power and size of the box. Get two 12" DVC subs that can handle between 500-800 watts each and watch them go. Be carefull though this much power plan to have multiple batteries in your boat to keep the music pumpin.

[ovrkll77]

For 3 cubic feet you may be pushing it for 4 12's. You could run 3. A lot of people use them. Where is the box located?
there is 2 boxes on each side of the boat, each has the 2 15' s. I have mb quartz for mids and highs and 3 coustic amps for it.

[ovrkll77]

you could make 2 of the right 12's pound with the power and size of the box. Get two 12" DVC subs that can handle between 500-800 watts each and watch them go. Be carefull though this much power plan to have multiple batteries in your boat to keep the music pumpin.
so you think I should go with 2 12' s, instead of the 15' s?

[Magic34]

I have been down a similiar road. I put 4 12's high watt subs in the bow of my last cat with 1100 watts RMS going to each. It was loud, but some of the interior of the cabin absorbed the sound. To the average person it rocked, but I thought for running as much power as I did to them, my ears should be bleeding, and I wanted to be deaf. I only got the volume I was expecting inside of the cabin.
I guess my point is, the location of the speakers is much more important in my mind than the size.
My new boat only has 2 12" JL's in the cockpit and my highs do overpower them, but it sounds decent overall.
The less speakers you go with, the less power you need to run them, the less batteries you'll need in you boat. I would much rather have 700 watts going to a 12" sub than a 15" sub. The 15" sub would require more power and that takes more battery capacity. My last boat had 7000 watts, and I had 10 batteries. My new boat has 1/2 of that, 3500 watts and 5 batteries. I like the current setup much better.

['78 gt boat]

You could get almost the same results with two good 12's. Not as deep of bass but a good overall sound. Like was said placement is also a key factor in the total outcome. I am trying to design the system in my boat right now. It is a lot of fun. Good luck with it

[ovrkll77]

You could get almost the same results with two good 12's. Not as deep of bass but a good overall sound. Like was said placement is also a key factor in the total outcome. I am trying to design the system in my boat right now. It is a lot of fun. Good luck with it
well, I went with 4 15" kicker comps. I built a box out of 3/4" mdf. After I finished building it I realized the box was heavy, so I put it on a scale, 94 lbs, that is with the 2 15's. Do you think adding 94 lbs to each side of the boat is alot? the weight is right in front of the gas tanks.

[ROZ]

Actually, 94 pounds is pretty good for a box with 2 15's.. Make sure you seal the MDF with resin..

[Magic34]

well, I went with 4 15" kicker comps. I built a box out of 3/4" mdf. After I finished building it I realized the box was heavy, so I put it on a scale, 94 lbs, that is with the 2 15's. Do you think adding 94 lbs to each side of the boat is alot? the weight is right in front of the gas tanks.
Your next boat, you'll do it different. Now you need more power and batteries. It's not the 200# of subs and boxes, which by the way is pretty light, but the additional harware you need as well.

[ovrkll77]

Your next boat, you'll do it different. Now you need more power and batteries. It's not the 200# of subs and boxes, which by the way is pretty light, but the additional harware you need as well.
all I need know is 4 good batterys.

[ovrkll77]

all I need know is 4 good batterys.
I meant now

[ovrkll77]

Actually, 94 pounds is pretty good for a box with 2 15's.. Make sure you seal the MDF with resin..
would that be just some marine resin that home depo sells?

[ROZ]

would that be just some marine resin that home depo sells?
The polyester resin they have is fine. Make sure to follow mixing direcions and not make it too hot... You want enough timeto work with it and make sure each side you work on gets good coverage and absorbtion ...
Be sure to do it, cause MDF will be a sponge..