But are they really the same? If they are absolutely identical in all components, implementation, construction and manufacture, if the larger size is equally acceptable in your room and if you are not planning to use a subwoofer, why would you not choose the larger one for the additional power handling and bass extension?

OTOH, if they are merely similar in the features you list, I would say that the choice between them would not depend on the woofers because voicing is likely to be different and, imho, that is much more important than woofer size.

hcsunshine wrote:

that gives me something to think about. i was/am leaning towards the single 10 inch (type).

Ah. I missed that point and responded as if we were comparing one with 2 x 10" and another 2 x 8" but the principle remains.

Food for thought:

I've read from multiple sources that a rough summation may be performed. In your specific case, the two 8" woofers may in fact have more sonic punch and extension than a single 10" woofer per speaker. Only your ears will confirm, but again, something to consider.

First, I did not say you would get more bass extension from the single 10" than from the two 8s. What I said was that the real issue is the rest of the system.

Second, it does not have to be one or the other in your theoretical proposition. Depending on design and alignment, either the single 10 or the dual 8s might have more bass.

There are too many variables for a definitive answer to this theoretical discussion. Can you specify exactly which "two different pairs" you are talking about?

Trying to compare based only on the DIAMETER of the speakers is impossible.

The cone AREA of the two 8-inch drivers is probably greater than the single 10-inch, but that is not the whole story in terms of moving air volume.

The throw, or maximum axial cone movement of each driver, is a very large variable, and we don't know about that. More expensively-constructed drivers usually have a much greater throw than cheaper ones.

Depending on many design factors, either one could have much more maximum air-movement capability.

This is also to ignore the enclosure design and crossover design, which also will greatly affect the result.

The bottom line is that you are trying to use inadequate information to answer an overly simplistic question.

Sorry to seem to bring confusion. I am a research scientist by trade, and in physics, all other variables being the same, theoretically two 8" drivers vs. one 10" driver In the same enclosure should move more air; theoretically yielding an increase in bass.

However, other members bring up excellent points: woofer excursion as well as cabinet design come into significant play. As I did say though,only your ears will be able to ultimately tell. Hopefully you are able to audition both speaker sets.

Kind Regards,

Ron

Interesting query OP;
if the 10" driver is properly designed and enclosed, it will equal the output of the (2) 8" drivers in the other speaker.

rrstesiak wrote:

Sorry to seem to bring confusion. I am a research scientist by trade, and in physics, all other variables being the same, .............

As another research scientist, I will point out that, in this case, there is no likelihood that all the other variables are the same. Your technical analysis is good but, since the OP cannot or will not provide any details of the two systems, the entire discussion is pointless.

In problems I encounter there often exist multiple unknowns. One must then focus on the knowns, and take educated guesses, model guesses through rigorous application of mathematical principles, or in this case, make assumptions regarding any remaining unknown variables as equal or at least related with strong likelihood and perform a variable reduction; in this case just for the sake of providing valuable feedback. in theoretical physics, this approach is done surprisingly often; as in the case of simplifying or reducing a 4-dimensional problem into one or two dimensions.

In short, I politely agree to disagree that making my statement 2 8" drivers with all other variables being the same could outperform 1 10" driver in a similar enclosure as pointless is of benefit, and I added the disclaimer that only their ears will be able to truly tell through auditioning.

I hope this doesn't flare opinions but just makes my point a consideration as valid instead of invalid for the Original Poster in making an important decision.

Respectfully,

Ron

I was not singling out your contribution as pointless but, rather, the entire thread. The OP's insistence on choosing between two different and undefined speakers solely on the basis of whether one or the other might have more bass is what I am dismissing. Your statement about the relative capabilities of 10" vs dual 8" drivers is not in dispute.

Kal:

Thank you for the kind clarification..

All:

This hobby is truly full of unknowns; and I personally wish I had more audiophile boutiques or friends with serious systems near me where I could audition in person many more of said systems.

I am sure there are a lot of people in my situation and therefore we are left to ponder and guess our purchases before we order with hopefully a generous return policy!

I did not take any comment on this thread nor any others as personal; but rather intellectual debate...which is welcome here and I enjoy interacting with everyone as it seems like a nice bunch of folks sharing the same passion.

Listen On!

Kind Regards,

Ron

More audiophile boutiques? Ain't that the truth! There used to be so many and you could educate yourself on how everything sounded by making the rounds of the stores. Meet interesting people, too.