I haven't decided between a 12" and a 15" sub. The old phrase "there's no replacement for displacement" keeps coming into my head when I think of getting a twelve.

Right now I have a 15" sub, but I think I'd like to save some space. Obviously bigger subs will go down lower and be audible, but in the 30is-100+hz range. Do 15" subs have any advantage over 12" subs. I'd like to find a sub in the ~$200 range give or take. Would you mind recommending me sub for each size or just one. I'd like to know what I'm giving up and gaining by going 12. Obviously I'm gaining space, and giving up some lowend, but will the size affect the musical range? I'm not looking to burp this setup.

hmmm,

i've had 12 and 18in SX's, but they have been in two separate vehicles....

the 12's were in a smaller vehicle(buik skylark 4d) with less power and i couldnt sit in it with it turned up on 1200 watts

My 18's were in a lincoln town car with 2500w and it was loud, but def not like the 12's, im guessing because of lack of cu's required for them.

now i have 15in btls wt 5k watts and it rumbles my car alot more, however the gain in the cabin wasn't much or at least i couldnt tell,(no meter)...however my rearview did come off..

Out of all three setups i still like the 18's the best, just low low bass, but thats me.

the 15's are punchy and can go low, they give that uncomfortable feeling like ur on a motorcycle, lol

and lastly the 12's loud as hell and accurate as well

all in all as long as u buy a quality sub, ur probably not going to complain....i have no complaints from any of the subs i've owned....well thats a different story, lol

But in ur case going from single 15 to a singel 12, i doubt u will notice a diffrence, unless u change the type of sub.

I also doubt ur going to save that much more space, ur box is gonna go from 16-18in tall to 13-15.....not that much of a diffrence unless ur wanting to really really save space.

U could however get a diffrent sub..same size, that would require less space and still perform as well as the one u have now. If ur saving space that would be ur best bet imo.

The only advantage of a 15 over a 12 is cone area. Your whole it can play lower argument is a joke and not at all the case, small or large today's subs can get down and boogie.

I have found it is better to build optimal for the smaller size, then squeeze a larger size.