12" vs 15" with a sub? any diff?

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DJ Scottie

New DJ
Dec 4, 2006
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Vancouver Canada
Alright.... its been done before Im sure, but I cant seam to find anything to answer my questions... so... what the hey.. here I go. If you have a link to this same topic, please post.


I’m looking to replace my speakers... currently I use:

2x Yorkville pl315 Passive 350w@8ohms

1x Yorkville PS210p powered sub... 600w I think

Yorkville active crossover (thanks Steve).


Here’s what I want to know:

By using the sub, and cross over do I really need 15" tops?? Would I be MUCH better off weight wise with 12" tops? Would I loose any sound quality?

My goal is to LIGHTEN up my speakers.. I’m getting too old to keep hauling in these dam things. I don’t mind bringing in a sub... actually I wouldn’t want to go without.

Jon has some Mackie’s 450s up for sale.. This started me thinking, would these and a sub (the Yorkville) or a Mackie sub deliver great sound and lighten up my speakers that I lift every weekend?


SO without getting into all of the different models available (however recommendations are appreciated) if someone is using a sub, would a 15" top make any difference over a 12"? Also, many people love the sound of a birch cab... if the sub is delivering the lows.. would plastic tops sound just as good as birch tops?

Thanks.....
 
This only answers a small part of your question. I don't know about the scientific data but my ears tell me that my birch tops sound much better than my plastic tops. Call it warmer, richer or less harsh, I like the birch tops better. I can hear it and I don't hear that well any more.
 
I run my JBL sub with my 15" Peavey speakers and it sounds great.
 
Scottie - I run 2 RCF310A's with a RCF705AS sub.

These are 10" boxes

To me this is the ultimate wedding/small party set up. The tops weigh 28lbs each...that's nothing. The sub is 94lbs.....I have it mounted to a dolly with wheels; transport is a breeze. The two tops sit on top of the sub and are strapped to it for transport...it's a breeze.


I think, with a sub....the 310's blow away the 450's.....As a system I've done weddings of 200-250 with no issues. The sub has a xover built in (80, 100, 120 hz).

You can't get much lighter....

The 310's can be had for about 1100/ pair; their is a used set on DJChat at $900.00.

Allen Howell out of Ontario (I think he posts here) uses this system as does Pat Caro (DoubleCEE Deejays) out of PA.....

Off the derail, if you're using a sub, I think a 12" top will give you a better overall tone....
 
thanks Steve,

So are you saying that a 12" would delver a better overall tone then the 10s?

I just think that the 15"s are just tooo much especially when Im cutting the lows to them with the crossover, and using the sub... a smarter way would be to go 12s. At least this is what Im thinking.
 
A lot depends on the range of the speaker you are using along with it's SPL capabilities.

I use several different combinations 10" with two 12" subs, 10" with one 18", 10" with two 18", 12" with two 12" subs, 12" with two 18" subs, 12" with one 18", 15" with one 18", 15" with two 18", 15 with four 18", I was looking at an 8" main but NLFX never answered my PM's!:sqconfused:

The differences between the different sized speakers as far as frequency range is nil because I cross at 90 hertz which is well into the range of each speaker. The big difference between them is the SPL with the 10's being 96 the 12's and 15's being 98 1W1M. Coverage area is going to be pretty much the same as long as they are equal in the horn dispersion area.

Wood versus plastic, no matter how well made or engineered plastic will never be able to reproduce the smooth characteristics of a good wood box. But you pay for that sound in weight. Does the client notice the difference at a venue? That is doubtful without having a wood system to compare it too side by side. I love my wood boxes but generally favor the plastics for smaller venues and crowds.
 
In general, the smaller the woofer, the higher the "clarity" of the resulting sound. So, if you are using dedicated subs, then by all means go with a 10" or 12" top. In terms of quality, you will be noticeably ahead to go with smaller drivers in the tops. In terms of SPL, you will be slightly behind.

BUT, if the weight and space savings of 10" or 12" tops (compared to the 15" versions) allows you a second sub (which would be ideal), then you will be waaaaay ahead on SPL.
 
DJ Scottie said:
thanks Steve,

So are you saying that a 12" would delver a better overall tone then the 10s?

I just think that the 15"s are just tooo much especially when Im cutting the lows to them with the crossover, and using the sub... a smarter way would be to go 12s. At least this is what Im thinking.
Click to expand...

Depends on the 10" speaker....the 310A/705As combo sounds really good...
 
I do find a bit less volume in the 12" then the 15"... law of nature... the more suface area the more... well i wont get into it...
If you got the sub, jet a few powered 12" speakers and a powered sub, preferably a sub that is 15"+... Get a decent cross over or 2 or get a good powered sub that has the cross over built in so that you dont send anything below 100hz to the tops...
 
You should be fine running the two 12" speakers with one 15" or 18" sub.
It all depends on the tops. The Mackies are good (RCF Italian) models in this combo. I like the Yorkville NX55's, QSC HPR 12"s..
 
If you are already loading sub cabinet(s) and bi-amping your rig, a 15" two- or three-way top set probably isn't necessary. In general, the 18s can do what the 15s can do.

The advantage to 15s ~ they'll give you some serious thump. A well designed 18" sub cab can do that too.

We bi-amp with an 18" sub set and pair of dually 10" 2-way cabs for tops. All cabinets are plywood. The top cabs are great for vocal response ~ that's what they were designed for. But you can get sweet vocal tone from 12" drivers as well. Just set your processing for it.

I have never cared for plastic cabinets. I don't like the snot in a wind tunnel appearance. They just don't seem to have the tone warmth that plywood cabinets provide. But that's just me.

If it's any help, I passed the 50 mark last month. I'm still loading our plywood cabinets and big-assed amp cases. I'm still hefting these dually 10" cabs up on the stands. :)
 
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