2 ported 10" DCONs to replace 4 8" RE subs?

[DanielDerryberry 1]

I know the "is X better than Y" questions are annoying, but I'm looking to upgrade from my current set up and the DCONs seem to fit the bill. They fit the budget of $300 and the RMS ratings line up. Everything else I've looked at has much higher RMS ratings and would be better suited to running one sub off of the amp.

For substage, I'm currently running four RE Audio REX 8" subs sealed in .42 cu ft each. They are being driven by an Alpine PDX-1.600 with 600w RMS (birth sheet says 666w, it's the Amp of the Beast). Overall, I have been satisfied with them - if do upgrade, they will go into my Silverado. That being said, I'm looking for more output and an upgrade in overall sub quality. I have never been metered, but on the right song the 8s can make your ears tingle just a tad. Could I expect more from two 10" DCONs in the recommended enclosure size tuned to, say, 30Hz? The same Alpine amp would be used.

The box would be in the back of an 05 Scion xB with the subs facing up with the port either also facing up or side firing into the rear passenger side corner if I can fit it that way.

Here's the rest of my system:

HU - Kenwood Excelon KDC-x794

Frontstage amp- Alpine PDX-4.150

Frontstage - Peerless SLS 6.5" in doors (80-250Hz) , CDT Audio CL-61 components in kicks (250Hz and up), CDT UpStage kit in A-pillars

[ssh 924]

Dcons are always overlooked because of their price, but they are some awesome drivers.

4 8"s have more cone area then 2 10", but since you would be switching to a ported enclosure, the pair of tens would have the advantage for more output.

I've never heard the REs so I can't compare sound quality between the two drivers, but normally switching to a ported enclosure tends to make the frequency response peaky (how peaky, depends on tuning and enclosure volume) verse a sealed enclosure and flatter response.

You can download WinISD for free and plug in all the T/S specs for each driver and compare the frequency response graphs and potential outputs. (Modeling is never perfect though, many variables will effect final outcome, cabin gain, cabin shape, panels, enclosure placement, etc.)

As a matter of fact, I'm about to order some dcons.

[lithium 358]

how much space do you have available? might be possible to fit 2 12's which should give you more output over the 10's theoretically.

[Kanaworm$ 292]

Why not try the 8" drivers in a ported application?

But then again the DCON's are an amazing driver for the money! Ported, they have amazing output and still remain very musical imo.

[sefugi 166]

In the correct ported enclosure the DCONs wil really shine and still be very musical!!

[DanielDerryberry 1]

how much space do you have available? might be possible to fit 2 12's which should give you more output over the 10's theoretically.

I would really like to go with the 12's, but it would be difficult to get the space for them to be ported without getting creative due to the shape of the area. As it is, I could potentially squeeze 4 cubes gross out of the available space. The box would be "hatchback shaped", with one side angled with the seat and the subs have to go on top because there is only a couple of inches between the box and the rear hatch. Sealed would fit OK. Maybe I could get the 12's and put them in a sealed box while I pull my hair out trying to find the available space for ported.

[Dan208 23]

I have never been metered, but on the right song the 8s can make your ears tingle just a tad. Could I expect more from two 10" DCONs in the recommended enclosure size tuned to, say, 30Hz?

From personal experience, I had a single 10" Dcon in SSA's recommended ported enclosure and it did more than "make your ears tingle just a tad". Some songs were just downright painful at the right volume.

If I ever get to the point where I have more room to work with, I won't hesitate to run a multiple Dcon setup. Right now I'd love some Dcon 8's. *wink wink, demin*

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

I have never been metered, but on the right song the 8s can make your ears tingle just a tad. Could I expect more from two 10" DCONs in the recommended enclosure size tuned to, say, 30Hz?

From personal experience, I had a single 10" Dcon in SSA's recommended ported enclosure and it did more than "make your ears tingle just a tad". Some songs were just downright painful at the right volume.

If I ever get to the point where I have more room to work with, I won't hesitate to run a multiple Dcon setup. Right now I'd love some Dcon 8's. *wink wink, demin*

[Kanaworm$ 292]

I have never been metered, but on the right song the 8s can make your ears tingle just a tad. Could I expect more from two 10" DCONs in the recommended enclosure size tuned to, say, 30Hz?

From personal experience, I had a single 10" Dcon in SSA's recommended ported enclosure and it did more than "make your ears tingle just a tad". Some songs were just downright painful at the right volume.

If I ever get to the point where I have more room to work with, I won't hesitate to run a multiple Dcon setup. Right now I'd love some Dcon 8's. *wink wink, demin*

Do I sense some new SSA product coming?

[suicideking602 8]

I sell RE and I'm not very impressed with their lower lines. I've never heard a dcon so I can't compare. I do think the dcons would give better output in a vented enclosure

[S.DeYoung 968]

With a properly designed enclosure you will be "louder" with the dcons. You are going from sealed to ported. I would also tune a little higher for daily listening. 35hz would be better for most music. Do you have pictures of your current setup?

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

I have never been metered, but on the right song the 8s can make your ears tingle just a tad. Could I expect more from two 10" DCONs in the recommended enclosure size tuned to, say, 30Hz?

From personal experience, I had a single 10" Dcon in SSA's recommended ported enclosure and it did more than "make your ears tingle just a tad". Some songs were just downright painful at the right volume.

If I ever get to the point where I have more room to work with, I won't hesitate to run a multiple Dcon setup. Right now I'd love some Dcon 8's. *wink wink, demin*

Do I sense some new SSA product coming?

No, not yet. There are issues with the goals we set and performance specs we want to meet, to financially do it with out going to China. Think about how expensive Jacobs new SA-8 is going to be. If we do that here, we are going to easily break the $225ish barrier, which makes it a tough sell. Hard to have an 8" model cost a chunk more then the 15" version.

[DanielDerryberry 1]

After some figuring, it would be extremely close to fit a pair of ported 12's back there. I can eek out 4.27 ft^3 gross, and use two 4" round ports but I'm not sure that would be enough port area. 10's would have plenty of room.

I guess my options are the 10's ported, or 12's sealed until I can afford a roof rack to tote the spare along on road trips (driving locally without a spare doesn't bother me, but being 100mi from home does). Then I can pull the false floor/spare/storage cubby out and have a lot more room. The 12's are just so tempting since they're so close in price. My first real system was a set of 12's and I loved them, the only past equipment that I ever regretted getting rid of (IDQ-12's from around 1998 or 99).

This is what I currently have. It kinds shows how small of a space I'm working with. I thought about going ported with them, but after I bought my truck I decided to change the xB and move the 8's under the back seat of the truck.

Pay no mind to the hole in the floor, I used to have a set of eD 9kv.2's in a mdf and fiberglass box there. Meh.

Edited November 11, 2011 by db138

[S.DeYoung 968]

Nice! Just go with the 10s.

[DanielDerryberry 1]

Just ordered the 10's and can't wait to try them out. So, who do I ask for box design help that will do it free or cheaply?

Edited November 13, 2011 by db138

[ricksi30 923]

Just ordered the 10's and can't wait to try them out. So, who do I ask for box design help that will do it free or cheaply?

Awesome! I bet that you'll be happy with them. RAM_Designs here on SSA does great designs.