Are two smaller subs better than one larger?

Or, I am also considering the JL audio F112 or F113. Recommendations?

Three notes/Three caveats:

Caveat #1: Your budget is sufficient to buy 2 very high quality "small" subs - call that +/- $1500.

Note #1: A single large sub will usually provide great maximum output for a given distortion level than will two smaller subs. This observation is based on pretty extensive review of subwoofer test data.

Note #2: You can (in the vast majority of cases) achieve smoother bass response with 2 carefully placed subs (large or small) than you can with a single sub (large or small).

Caveat #2: If you're using digital room correction (e.g. Audyssey) in an AVR or Pre-Pro, you can smooth FR with the EQ.

Note #3: If you cross high enough you will need to maintain stereo integrity so 2 subs will be required.

Caveat #3: IME, few people will cross to the subs at a high enough frequency (>100ish hz) to make this concern audible (to me). Others claim that the effect is audible at a lower frequency, so this is a YMMV kind of deal.

Marty

PS If you wish to go with 2 subs for purposes of maintaining stereo integrity, make sure that your x-over will allow this. To my knowledge, very few AVRs or Pre-Pros (even those with dual sub outputs) are set up this way.

I will give this a "maybe" in response. Here is why one might be better than 2 (since the very valid reasons 2 might be better than 1 have been laid out above, in particular the emergence of stereo effects at 80Hz or so, and the potential of 2 subs to minimize room nodes):

1) The quality of the single sub is much better. I moved from dual NHT subs to a single REL Storm III, and this was definintely an improvement in my room. Related to the quality of the sub is the quality of the intergration a sub can achieve with mains. For the REL that came through their speaker level connections, but I could also imagine that single subs with DSP (digital signal processing) options could also work better than dual subs without DSP or with lower quality DSP.

2) You don't need a high crossover point. My NHT pair was originally purchsed when I needed an 80 Hz crossover point. My single REL was crossed over at 35 Hz.

Most likely yes. If you read this white paper from Harmon on the number and placement of subs for optimal listening, you would conclude that at least two subs properly positioned will give you a smoother response in your room than one. If you are the only one in the room, then you can position the one sub for optimal listening. On the other hand, if you move from that spot, or there are other positions in the room that you want to optimize, then more than one sub is required. The quality of the sub(s) will matter, but the positioning of them is most important, but difficult if more than one is involved. It may require a computer program to perfect, whereas one involves a more simple approach, trial and error. This is the white paper:

http://www.harman.com/EN-US/OurCompany/Technologyleadership/Pages/WhitePapers.aspx?CategoryID=White%20papers

Good luck, have fun, and always listen to the music (not the experts/reviewers/posters/self-proclaimed golden ears)!!

If you know where to shop, you can get two $1200 subs for about $500, which should take good care of both HT and music. Go to vanns.com and do a search for Infinity subs.