Dual 8" Subs or Single 10"

[Todd_Droz]

I have 2 Polk db840 subs that we put in a temporary box at the end of last season, and the plan was to build the new, integrated box this season. I've read the sub enclosure threads here ad nauseam, and haven't made a final decision on where to place the box, but....

My question is, should I stick with the dual 8" in one box or get a single 10" sub and build that box. I thought the 8's sounded pretty good last year but am I missing out on not having the larger sub? Or should I even consider having the two 8's in separate boxes?

It should be noted I had the two subs wired as a series since the amp's specs did not recommend lowering the output to 2ohms on the sub channel. My amp is an Arc Audio XXD 5080.

[EarmarkMarine]

Todd,
I would think that the lowpass channel of the 5-channel amplifier would accept a 2-ohm load allowing you to run two 4-ohm subs in parallel. With that particular amplifier I would first think in terms of responsiveness not power handling. Two 8s have got enough surface area as compared to a single 10. Not quite as low of a resonance but will be very responsive with both sharing a bass-reflex enclosure and mounted under the driver's dash. You might be surprised what a pair of those Polk dBs can do.

David
Earmark Marine

[Todd_Droz]

So you would not do a sealed enclosure? That requires a larger box, right?