RSW-15 to RT-12d

[Wrench722]

I'm sorry wrench722, but that's not what I am reading in the specs. [^o)]

There is a 1dB difference in the 2 subs, although it appears the RSW 15 may have a slightly bigger amp.

Oop! I see it is not three times.[:$]

[frankphess]

One thing I did which helped clean up the bass from the 15 was to get it up on spikes. Without spikes, the whole room would shake because the rubber feet transfered the bass to the floor and walls from the cabinet. Once on spikes the bass seems more defined and audible rather than everything shaking. Thread size for the RSW-15 is the same as the RF-7 feet, 1/4-20. Just a thought.

[Zen Traveler]

That's OK Wrench. I made a mistake last week and got called on it....

Just be glad Sivadselim was in a good mood today. []

[Jay481985]

RT-12d = 800w continuous, 2000w peak

RSW-15 = 650w continuous, 2400w peak

The rest of their specs are VERY similar.

Either one should rock the house and both should be articulate subs, not muddy or boomy as the OP described. If either is muddy/boomy then there may be a placement issue or the subwoofer needs to be calibrated. I think there is a very good chance the OP runs his too 'hot'.

since klipsch does not release their driver specs we cannot conclude based upon just sheer wattage which is better..... sensitivity wise....

[sivadselim]

Just be glad Sivadselim was in a good mood today. []

shuddup []

[DrWho]

since klipsch does not release their driver specs we cannot conclude based upon just sheer wattage which is better..... sensitivity wise....

But we CAN conclude that the larger surface area of the active driver on the RSW-15 is going to have much less distortion...ultimately because it is a more efficient design (in terms of its ability to produce acoustical power with motion of the cone). We also can deduce from Hoffman's Iron Law that since the bandwidths are about the same and the enclosure is larger, that the RSW-15 is more efficient. The increased surface are of the passives on the RT-12d are going to be less significant because the bandwidth is going to be very small and the excursion of passives is extremely linear (which is why they're used instead of ports).

We see the significance of some of these effects in the Nousaine Subwoofer List:

http://home.comcast.net/~frank_carter/Nousaine.htm

(which is output limited by distortion levels - the RSW is near the top with 112dB, the RT-12d is down at 107dB)

[Wrench722]

One thing I did which helped clean up the bass from the 15 was to get it up on spikes. Without spikes, the whole room would shake because the rubber feet transfered the bass to the floor and walls from the cabinet. Once on spikes the bass seems more defined and audible rather than everything shaking. Thread size for the RSW-15 is the same as the RF-7 feet, 1/4-20. Just a thought.

I made boxes and attached to the bottom. About 6". It realy helped with the sound and also keep the old lady from hitting it with the vuccum.[H]

[Jay481985]

since klipsch does not release their driver specs we cannot conclude based upon just sheer wattage which is better..... sensitivity wise....

But we CAN conclude that the larger surface area of the active driver on the RSW-15 is going to have much less distortion...ultimately because it is a more efficient design (in terms of its ability to produce acoustical power with motion of the cone). We also can deduce from Hoffman's Iron Law that since the bandwidths are about the same and the enclosure is larger, that the RSW-15 is more efficient. The increased surface are of the passives on the RT-12d are going to be less significant because the bandwidth is going to be very small and the excursion of passives is extremely linear (which is why they're used instead of ports).

We see the significance of some of these effects in the Nousaine Subwoofer List:
http://home.comcast.net/~frank_carter/Nousaine.htm
(which is output limited by distortion levels - the RSW is near the top with 112dB, the RT-12d is down at 107dB)

Since it has the arc based eq on it which adjusted room nodes and such, it can be argued that even though the rt12 loses in sheer output, it can provide a better overall bass line since it can adapt to each room much better than a subwoofer without tuning.