T30/T48/T60

Get the lowdown on the down low.
Post Reply
Message
Author
Marflinger
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2025 1:20 pm
Location: Germany-Blackforest

T30/T48/T60

#1 Post by Marflinger »

To clean up a build thread, here the new one:

Build thread is found here: viewtopic.php?t=26861 but is about DR250s

Not sure if that works, but can posts be moved or crosslinked inbetween threads?

My initial thoughts over there were the following, copied together:

Usecase:
Only dj, rather experimental subgenres from psytrance and dnb/breakcore...no live band

Only outdoor (freefield, forest usually), target size between 500 and 800 ppl.

I favour to set pa in the front and dj in foh-position (so not between the stacks)
Stacks usually around 16-20 meters apart, toed in.

Idea in my mind was to keep it upscaleable, so be prepared to cater bigger versions by extending the system. Same sound and setting, just bigger pax.
I asked, how close 4 t30 coupled with v-plate come to 4 t60 stacked just straight, because there are no charts on the plated stack of four.

There is a comparison, when in stacks of 4 or more the longer horn will have an advantage. But the plate makes the path of the t30 longer as well, i just want to figure if that adds up and if so to what.

So lets say, one t30 compared to one t60 equals a 1:2 ratio.
4 t30 and 4 t60 stacked straight should benefit from the same effect each, so still 1:2 ratio.
4 t30 with a longer path by the v-plate vs 4 t60 stacked straight equal to what?
1,2:2? 1,5:2? 1,8:2?
All i could find about that is the mentioned 4db increased sensitivity.

This will probably never reach the t60, which isn't even the goal.
But as stated somewhere, the lower frequency of the t60 is mostly not used, and party ppl aren't used to that frequencies either bc most systems just don't go there. so not sure if there is a need for the t60.
But i don't want to regret it later, as building takes time.

rig of 2 dr250 each side, done with either 4 of t30 or 4 of t60 (1 top for 2 subs) will play the music. When avoidable, i will not go for the t60 due to the storage volume doubled for them.

The graphs don't tell me the answer, i'm looking for somebody who had both scenarios playing and shares the experienced difference between them.
The t30 would be super easy to store, and i could build double the amount of cabs within the same storage space. And by being half the size of the t60, they are better to lift around as well...
Tom Smit wrote: Tue Dec 30, 2025 10:56 pm

This might be an answer for you. I thought that for the T30, the V-plate only 2db (3db for T39 and T48). So, if one would add 2db to the red trace, the difference is very little. These two cabs shown are half the width and half the drivers as per your plan so it should give a fair representation of the differences.
Seth wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 12:18 am
Marflinger wrote: Tue Dec 30, 2025 11:47 am Only dj, rather experimental subgenres from psytrance and dnb/breakcore...no live band....
If you're looking for maximum output outdoor, in the frequencies that can be reasonably be reproduced, Titan is the only way to go. If you build full width (36") 15" loaded T48's you would be WAY ahead of the options you've currently considered. The bottom frequencies the Tuba 60 offers are really only available indoors. Outdoors, to hit the bottom frequency a T60 offers, look at building four times the cab count you're already looking at building.

Outdoors, two stacks of 4 full width (36") T48's will way outperform two stacks of 4 T60's (or 4 double 10 loaded T30's).

Outdoors, eight full width T48's would absolutely rock your world and put you in "god" status compared other options.

Ask around .Read T48 reviews.

Indoors, T60's are magic. T30's still pale in comparison to T48.

All that said, you won't be disappointed with any of the options. The T48 will just be the best tool for the job.

Outdoors, T48 is a different animal.

That said, if I needed or wanted (well... I do want it. But...) the bottom frequency the T60 offers, I would only consider building the 20" wide, single 15" loaded version for it's highly valuable bottom end sensitivity. Absolutely amazing.

There's a lot of "behind the scenes knowledge" this is based on, that I don't have the time to dive into. But, the guys who know will agree.

Keryn, (he) has both. If (he) doesn't agree (please say so), I'm not offended in the least. Take firsthand experience over number crunching.

But... Numbers don't lie. Numbers have no bias.
Keryn O'Shea wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 1:17 am
Marflinger wrote: Tue Dec 30, 2025 11:47 am Only outdoor (freefield, forest usually), target size between 500 and 800 ppl.
Seth wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 12:18 am If you're looking for maximum output outdoor, in the frequencies that can be reasonably be reproduced, Titan is the only way to go.
Seth wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 12:18 am Outdoors, eight full width T48's would absolutely rock your world and put you in "god" status compared other options.
100% :D
Marflinger wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 1:20 am
Tom Smit wrote: Tue Dec 30, 2025 10:56 pm

This might be an answer for you. I thought that for the T30, the V-plate only 2db (3db for T39 and T48). So, if one would add 2db to the red trace, the difference is very little. These two cabs shown are half the width and half the drivers as per your plan so it should give a fair representation of the differences.
The 4db is from the plans, but stated there as the "lower end" (so rather tilt then shift up, but idk where. Relevant only below 80hz)
Even if we assume 2db, adding up together with a flatter response due to stacking (as your chart is single ten an single twelve, it's eight times that per side) it should be pretty close. Below 80hz the t60 rides with a distance of ~5db, assuming the 2db v-plate benefit it would shrink to 3db.

This guessing around was it, what led me to the idea of maybe t30 with a v-plate would be sufficient, as the previously introduced ratio would be somewhat halved (1:2 without plates, 1,5:2 with plate)

Thank you for that comparing chart, makes it visible way better.

Seth wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 12:18 am Titan is the only way to go
And why should that be the case?

Seth wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 12:18 am Outdoors, you're loocking at 40Hz+ (actually higher than that, but...)
And again, why should THIS be the case?
Curious, bc i've had 30hz outdoors crunching my stomach and i loved it. I don'r see why the tubas, no matter which, shouldn't do that outdoors.
I'm familiar with room modes and the boundary effects, but way before that the output should be playing below 40 to trigger the room as intended and ideally benefit from the boundarys.
Seth wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 12:18 am Outdoors, two stacks of 4 full width (36") T48's will way outperform two stacks of 4 T60's (or 4 double 10 loaded T30's)
outperform in terms of? Spl below 80hz? Above? Db per watt input?
Seth wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 12:18 am But... Numbers don't lie. Numbers have no bias.
Do you have those numbers handy, or can point me to the place where i can find them? Bc the numbers i found walk in other directions...

But this is the point of my questioning, i try to decide on numbers or at least approximations and want to avoid religious beliefs and similar.
Keryn O'Shea wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 1:17 am
Marflinger wrote: Tue Dec 30, 2025 11:47 am Only outdoor (freefield, forest usually), target size between 500 and 800 ppl.
Seth wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 12:18 am If you're looking for maximum output outdoor, in the frequencies that can be reasonably be reproduced, Titan is the only way to go.
Seth wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 12:18 am Outdoors, eight full width T48's would absolutely rock your world and put you in "god" status compared other options.
100% :D
Again, why?

Maybe i will seperate that discussion into its own thread as this is starting to extend, and this is somehow annoying for someone to read this in the future.
Marflinger wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 2:17 am Two more thoughts on the subwoofer-situation:

Re-read the plans, T30 indeed says 4db increased sensititvity coupling two cabs (similar to add a third cab).
So the true comparison would be 4 T60 vs 6 T30 probably? Or 4 T60 vs 5 T30?

Another thought of mine is the driver, which is always somehow ignored. But there are huge diffferences between the available ones, even between the recommended ones.
As stated before, for instance the recommended LaVoce has around double the Xmax from the Eminence-Variant in the ten inch version.
To keep it simple, i assumed all cabs with the most Xmax available, but i don't know anything about the used drivers in comparisons like "T48 will outperform anything"
Same as the driver, in the comparing thoughts the width the cab is built in also isn't factored in (in terms of keeps variantion range wide open).


Double twelve T48 could be built with a volume of 24 by 30 by 48 inches. Somewhat similar to the Volume of a T60, so the comparison would be 4 T60 vs 4 T48 +3db vs 4 T30 +4db.

And for my other question, if the T30 would improve by adding more Horn:


This is the sketch i promised: Image

Sure with bracing, but if that would increase the output this would happen at around zero needed storage volume as they can be stored in a flat pack.

And the "big" top/bottom could be clamped on four T30 for transport to have one cart of 2 by 2 T30, secured together by the big plates. This would be exactly one stack, 4 T30s with the top/bottom on the sides and the adittional bracing and 30 inch wide sidewalls somehow seperated.


Have to extend that even further, sorry for spamming.

Just for the ten inch ones in the T30:
The one shown in the graph T30 vs T60 (S2010) has an Xmax of 4mm, the highest i could find is the LaVoce SSF102.50L with 11,5mm Xmax.
This results in a Vd of 140cc on the 2010 vs 417cc on the LaVoce. This isn't just somehow ignoreable variance i guess. Both ten inch drivers, more than double the Vd which is the limiting point of SPL if i get that correct.
Yet alone the power rating, 150/300W on the Eminence 2010, and 400/800 watt on the competitor.

So it's hard to say, what a ten inch cab will do without knowing anything about the driver inside.

The recommended 15s for the titan48 for instance:
LaVoce WXF with 444cc and the Eminence 3015LF with 846cc. Again half the Vd, just the other way around.
And from the twelves:
LaVoce SSF 122.50L with a Vd of 609cc vs prv recommended with 624cc.

Just two of the twelves from the T60:
LaVoce SSF 122.50L with a Vd of 609cc vs the Lab12 with 659cc and the prv recommended with 624cc.
Way closer range.
and the 15" there:
WAF154.01 with 855cc vs. LAB15 with 971cc.

So to be maxed out in all Variants, and stay within the limits of handling (width to keep around 30"), the comparison would need to be

4* T30, Vd of 834cc per cab (dual 10" LaVoce, more than one 12")

4*T60, Vd of 1318cc per cab (dual Lab12, more than one 15")

4*T48, Vd of 1248cc per cab (Dual 12" loaded, 30" wide)
4*T48, Vd of 1692cc per cab (Dual 3015 loaded, therefore 35" wide)

Which is before V-Plating, which would affect the T30 and the T48. (Presumeably the T30 more, but lets factor that difference out)
And if i keep the T48 within the 30" limit, it reduces to double 12" drivers, so 1248cc Vd (loaded double 12")


Jumping point for me is the part, that the T30-Variant uses just half the space.
To get a comparison by the needed Volume, i could build double amount of T30 within the same storage room and will have a similar Vd compared to the T48 (exceeding the 30"wide T48), even exceed the T60.

BUT
This is just one number, which ignores the frequencie response and everything else.
And then there are other factors, like material cost and even the drivers. The bigger drivers are around three times the small ones. And here the comparison is between 10", 12" and 15" Drivers, which is somehow not apples for apples.
As i can get two of the 10" for 2/3 of the price of one 15", even doubling the amount of T30s would still be cheaper (ignoring the wood, but will be similar i think)


...all of this is, why i stumble upon simplified statements like "T48 will be the best".
I just want to get it right, if they are thats super and I'm happy to go for them. But i don't see that to be honest.

Keryn O'Shea
Posts: 617
Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2013 5:50 pm
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Re: T30/T48/T60

#2 Post by Keryn O'Shea »

This may help..
viewtopic.php?t=26801
AT8 14", AT10 19", T30 28" LAB12, T48 36" 3015LF, THT 20" LAB15, SLA 4x3"/4x4", CArray 6x4", TLAH, TLAP, J10 FA, J12 FA, OT8 CD, OT12 FA, OT15 CD, SLAP 2x6"/4x6", WH8, DR280 MA, XF210. Next J10L

Joman116
Posts: 68
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2025 4:40 pm
Location: TX

Re: T30/T48/T60

#3 Post by Joman116 »

Doesn't relate directly to OP but:


Seth, in the above quote you said T60 with 15" driver in a 20" wide cab, however the plans clearly state following.

"Recommended fifteen inch drivers are the Dayton 15LF500-8, PRV 15SW2000, Eminence LAB 15 and LaVoce WAF154.01, used in a 27 inch wide cab. These driver/cab combinations are as good as it gets, so there’s no benefit in going any wider, and the 27 inch width will fit through all but the smallest doorways. Going smaller would put excess stress on the driver, so if you can’t manage a 27 inch wide cab go with a 1x12. "

Did I miss something or was there an update to the plans I am not aware of? I bought plans less than a month ago.
2x20" Titan 39 loaded with Eminence KAPPALITE 3012F
QSC 1804 Amp
DBA Driverack 260 Speaker Management

User avatar
Bill Fitzmaurice
Site Admin
Posts: 29031
Joined: Tue May 02, 2006 5:59 pm

Re: T30/T48/T60

#4 Post by Bill Fitzmaurice »

No update, the statement is correct. It means there's nothing to be gained by going wider. Performance will be less if you go narrower.

User avatar
Strange Kevin
Posts: 176
Joined: Fri May 19, 2017 3:02 pm
Location: Scottsdale AZ

Re: T30/T48/T60

#5 Post by Strange Kevin »

Looking back through this thread,
Is there a particular reason for comparing the dual 10" T30s to the dual 12" other cabs?
At 30" wide, a dual 12" is an option for the Tuba30 as well.

Dual loaded cab frequency graphs would be similar to a single loaded at half the width. (+6dB for double the cabs)
(one dual 12" @ 30" wide is equal to 2x single 12" @ 15" wide.)
The biggest advantage to dual loaded cabs it the ability to series wire the drivers internally so you can run 4 cabs in parallel on one amp channel. Vs 2 single loaded cabs, assuming your amplifier is rated to a 4ohm limit. (And using 8 ohm drivers)
Usually not recommended unless you plan to build 8 or more subs and have some extra hands around to help setup every time.

I believe the 12" PRV and Lavoice drivers recommended in the plans are the same for all 3 designs.

So it mostly comes down to how low you need to play, how much room you have for storage, and how loud you want get.

With all drivers being equal, the sensitivity of cab design is one determining factor. I believe the T30 is least sensitive, then T60, then T48 is the most sensitive. I'd compare the similar width graphs at a particular frequency, say 40Hz or 50hz.

If sub 35Hz isn't a priority then I wouldn't bother with the T60.
If it is really important, then T60's are pretty much your only option. (Simplex 21 is another I guess)

Being more sensitive the T48 would be louder at any particular voltage. You'd have to do the math but the T30 might take the edge of SPL for a given cubic foot of cab volume. I don't know, I'm not that smart. :)
although if true, would Likely take more amplifier power to do it.
Example 4x 30" wide T30 would be about the same size as 2x 30" wide T60s. The 4 T30s would provide greater maximum output that the 2x T60s, at the cost of twice the drivers, but If space wasn't a premium, then those extra drivers may be better utilized in more T60s.... It all depends on defining what is ultimately most important for your system use case.
Authorized Builder - Phoenix AZ.
Main Rig - 6 DR200s - 6 T48s (30")
SLA Pros for the smaller stuff.

User avatar
Bill Fitzmaurice
Site Admin
Posts: 29031
Joined: Tue May 02, 2006 5:59 pm

Re: T30/T48/T60

#6 Post by Bill Fitzmaurice »


Bruce Weldy
Posts: 8630
Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:37 am
Location: New Braunfels, TX

Re: T30/T48/T60

#7 Post by Bruce Weldy »

Bill Fitzmaurice wrote: Thu Jan 01, 2026 11:20 am viewtopic.php?t=358
With all the years I've been on the Forum, that's the first time (I think) that I've read that post. That should be the first response to every inquiry about what sub to build.

Excellent explanation and analysis.....

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

Marflinger
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2025 1:20 pm
Location: Germany-Blackforest

Re: T30/T48/T60

#8 Post by Marflinger »

Strange Kevin wrote: Thu Jan 01, 2026 3:18 am .... It all depends on defining what is ultimately most important for your system use case.
Thank you for that reminder, i think i needed that. I had exactly that phrase in mind, but i missed that i did not define it proper enough.
Strange Kevin wrote: Thu Jan 01, 2026 3:18 am Is there a particular reason for comparing the dual 10" T30s to the dual 12" other cabs?
No, missed that. I think i went by the idea, dual 12 in 30" width is the lower end of the recommended width, but then i did not the same on the other cabs. So to be fair, the comparison should be with dual 12 yes, what increases the Vd for the T30 a lot.

The wiring in series is the goal yes, and the cab in dual still within the range i'd accept to handle and lift around. As there will be at least 8 of them, this seems to be fitting.
Keryn O'Shea wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 5:17 pm This may help..
viewtopic.php?t=26801
Yess, thank you for that. This helped a lot!


So far, i try my conclusions:

The T60 sort of drops out of the choice. It would go slightly lower and slightly louder, but not in a manner that makes the double needed volume a deal for me. So I'll keep it on the T30 vs the T48.

I get now better from where the favouring of the T48 comes. In single comparison, the overall higher sensitivity adds up to way more output on less amp power needed. So this is the more efficient choice, which needs more space but less amping.

The T30 does it the other way around, its lower sensitivity will never match the T48 but it takes around half the space.

I feel like the space needed to store (not even transport, but it has to sleep somewhere...) is a relevant point for me. I could manage to store more, but in a slightly painful way. So when going for comfort, the overall volume is a factor.

In terms of that, the comparison would be 4 T30 vs. 2 T48 (the spl per cubic feet cab to say); which will be surely won by the T30 at the cost of double the power needed to drive it to max.
The amp power doesn't hurt as much as the storage of double the cab volume, so that nulls for me.

As stated here from several guys, i will probably be happy with every variant. So it is not a choice between good or bad, just which color of good.

Another important part is the scaleability for me. When i hold on the principle to not combine different subs, the first eight cabs will decie the future in terms of which to build. This feels like the most critical part to me.
Bill Fitzmaurice wrote: Thu Jan 01, 2026 11:20 am viewtopic.php?t=358
Yeah, read that several times. From there, my first critical thought came to avoid building T60s, as the benefit ist mostly not used by common applications. And as people are not used to that benefit either, no one will miss it probably.

Again the comparison here is per Cab, without the factor that T30 uses half the space.
But even going from there, to go for the T30 and just build more of them if i need more output seems to be the better way for me in terms of the way less storing volume needed. As the calculation by seth showed, the slightly better low end of the T30 becomes very minimal in stacking, comparing to the T48. Or do you see any errors on that?

I get it, trying to take the smallest variant (T30) to achieve the most output seems to be the wrong way round.
The benefit of the storing leads me to not dropping the idea as bullshit immediatly, and gives me thoughts like further improving the output by giving it more hornpath or whatnot. Sure there will be limits, how far the stack of T30 can be improved. But right now i feel like when i improve that as far as possible, i will have a super compact solution that will fully fill my needs.
And that i will be able to extend that by just adding more of the 4-stack-blocks until it matches whatever my needs will be filled - and still be super compact.
Thoughts already went in a way, if it could be beneficial for the output to stack 6 of the T30 in two layers high, three beneath with the outer ones angled inward to create one horn for all 3 (6) and then extend that hornpath to the front? Like the V-Plate, just not with a tip but with a 30" wide inner end which fits the third cab. Or to big of a change in path dimensions to do anything good?
Also an option in a stack of 9 (3 layers high) when i seperate from the tops?

I'm not (yet) familiar with hornresp or other simulating, but still curious how far the improvement by adding more horn path would be possible. Anyone who can simulate that, or answer in another way?

Thank you all for guiding me through this thought process i wanted to add, i feel like somewhere in the future i will have figured that out by your support :)

quick sidenote:
This process of deciding for bass solution in my head, i got dragged into a club for NYE. Oh my god was that bad in terms of the sound. This kind of grounded me in my thoughts, what people are used to is so awful, you manage to get a smile on their faces no matter which color of good you offer. it will outstand the common solutions by far.
They had several floors, one worse than the other. not even the tops were properly done. 4-points, all firing in the middle, when you entered the room you heard the timing differences immediatly. Just in the ends of the room the one closer was loud enough to let that differnce down, not even in the middle where the sweetspot should be they matched.
And then the subwoofer-solution, oh boy. Rectangular room, on the longer walls two stacks of 3 18" direct radiators (where the tops sat on top) around a third out of the corners firing to the center of the room.
There was literally no bass in most places of the room. What a waste.

Bruce Weldy
Posts: 8630
Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:37 am
Location: New Braunfels, TX

Re: T30/T48/T60

#9 Post by Bruce Weldy »

Marflinger wrote: Thu Jan 01, 2026 11:56 am
The T30 does it the other way around, its lower sensitivity will never match the T48 but it takes around half the space.

While the T48 volume is indeed bigger (based on 30 in. wide cabs), the footprint is smaller at being only 24 inches deep vs. 30.

But the biggest factor you should consider is that moving the taller T48 with attached casters is WAAAAYYYYYYY easier than the bulky, short T30. And it's louder.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

Marflinger
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2025 1:20 pm
Location: Germany-Blackforest

Re: T30/T48/T60

#10 Post by Marflinger »

Bruce Weldy wrote: Thu Jan 01, 2026 12:29 pm
Marflinger wrote: Thu Jan 01, 2026 11:56 am
The T30 does it the other way around, its lower sensitivity will never match the T48 but it takes around half the space.

While the T48 volume is indeed bigger (based on 30 in. wide cabs), the footprint is smaller at being only 24 inches deep vs. 30.

But the biggest factor you should consider is that moving the taller T48 with attached casters is WAAAAYYYYYYY easier than the bulky, short T30. And it's louder.
Right, it is in one direction 6 inch thinner. But the difference between 24 or 30 doesn't matter to me, maybe a little explanaition:

I got a corner unused, where they will sleep. The area there is sufficient to fit four T60 stored vertically to say, with air around it to handle it.
So it doesn't matter, if it is 30 or 24; there is also in 24 only space for four of them (when tightly pressed maybe 5 of them, but never eight)
From the T30, there would fit 8 of them as they fit in there stacked on top of each other in pairs. And whatever plates for the stack to come go there as well.
The other option would be to free another corner, which is the slightly painful way compared to the already free one, to store 8 of T60 or T48. Similar dimensions, but right now in use and this would need to change.

(Edit: thinking about that, there would maybe fit 3 layers of T30, so 12 cabs. Which would again be a number i can seperate to two stacks of 6. Also i could probably fit two T48 flat on top, so it would fit 6 instead of four. Maybe 7 when 5 in line on the floor, but not a even number. And I think, 12 T30 would outrun 7 T48 ...)

And to the handling: On the T30-Variant i plan to clamp 2 of them together for transport, so it will be around the same packaging size as a T48 (6 inch wider in one way).
I even thought about coupling 4 together, to have one big trolley to roll around. This would still fit my handling needs, as i can roll everywhere and when unloading/setting up i can seperate them in the trailer and move them single (as i can not roll anything through the grass, we used to carry them by hand)

regarding the louder, yes per cab.
Right now the idea goes, having half the volume of cabs by building the T30s and when needing more/louder just add more of them. Eventually i will need to clear the other storage space, but i feel like the first 8 T30s could fit my needs already.

User avatar
Seth
Posts: 3083
Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:06 pm
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Contact:

Re: T30/T48/T60

#11 Post by Seth »

Joman116 wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 7:43 pm Doesn't relate directly to OP but:


Seth, in the above quote you said T60 with 15" driver in a 20" wide cab, however the plans clearly state following.

"Recommended fifteen inch drivers are the Dayton 15LF500-8, PRV 15SW2000, Eminence LAB 15 and LaVoce WAF154.01, used in a 27 inch wide cab. These driver/cab combinations are as good as it gets, so there’s no benefit in going any wider, and the 27 inch width will fit through all but the smallest doorways. Going smaller would put excess stress on the driver, so if you can’t manage a 27 inch wide cab go with a 1x12. "

Did I miss something or was there an update to the plans I am not aware of? I bought plans less than a month ago.
That was a typo on my part. 27" wide with the 15", not 20.
Build in process - 2 WH6, one Alpha 6a loaded, one PRV Audio 6MB250-NDY loaded

Two 2x6 shorty SLA Pro's
One T39, 16", 3012LF loaded
Tall AutoTuba, 20" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421
TruckTuba, 8½" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421

User avatar
Seth
Posts: 3083
Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:06 pm
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Contact:

Re: T30/T48/T60

#12 Post by Seth »

A few years back I put together a spreadsheet to help me see the picture a little more clearly. It's not completely comprehensive and this particular calculator I created only compares the cab's at 40Hz and assumes full width cabs based on driver size. The results aren't the full picture, but gives you a good idea of how the cabs compare. Way off to the left is total system power for each option.
Screenshot 2026-01-01 174252.png
A note that, even high passed at 35Hz on a 24db/octave slope, Four full width T48's will outperform 8 T30's at 30 Hz.

30" is a good compromise width for a T48, although 36" is a full width cab when built with a 15" driver. It's a massive cab. Although, laid on their sides, three stacks of two and two slid on top might fit in the space you described for a Eight cab system.

Here's what you'd have to build to match the output potential of eight T48's...
Screenshot 2026-01-01 175943.png
Build in process - 2 WH6, one Alpha 6a loaded, one PRV Audio 6MB250-NDY loaded

Two 2x6 shorty SLA Pro's
One T39, 16", 3012LF loaded
Tall AutoTuba, 20" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421
TruckTuba, 8½" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421

Keryn O'Shea
Posts: 617
Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2013 5:50 pm
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Re: T30/T48/T60

#13 Post by Keryn O'Shea »

Seth wrote: Thu Jan 01, 2026 8:54 pm Here's what you'd have to build to match the output potential of eight T48's...
:shock: Well... that's amazing
AT8 14", AT10 19", T30 28" LAB12, T48 36" 3015LF, THT 20" LAB15, SLA 4x3"/4x4", CArray 6x4", TLAH, TLAP, J10 FA, J12 FA, OT8 CD, OT12 FA, OT15 CD, SLAP 2x6"/4x6", WH8, DR280 MA, XF210. Next J10L

User avatar
Tom Smit
Posts: 7645
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:24 pm
Location: Sarnia, Ont. Canada

Re: T30/T48/T60

#14 Post by Tom Smit »

A thought came to mind, how much power do you have available to power the whole system? I'm asking because, if I remember correctly, you plan to use the system in a forest.
What are the actual measurements of your storage space?
TomS

Marflinger
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2025 1:20 pm
Location: Germany-Blackforest

Re: T30/T48/T60

#15 Post by Marflinger »

Seth wrote: Thu Jan 01, 2026 8:54 pm Here's what you'd have to build to match the output potential of eight T48's...
Interesting, thank you for sharing that.
Where did you got that numbers from? Simulating the cab with the drivers TS-parameters and manually adding the stacking and plating-part?
I would be curious to try this out in different frequency points and with different driver-combinations.
I fear i have to get into hornresp. I tinkered around a bit, are the measurements of the T30/T48 available or do i have to measure them out of the plans?

Going by the available data, the calculation works like this:

The closest i could find was this:
Image

from here: viewtopic.php?t=540

Double 12 loaded somewhat close to the 30" cubed, a coupled pair, which shows a sensitivity of 105 db flat from 30 to 50 Hz.
To the theory, doubling the cabs should increase that to 111 db (as in + 6db).

And then for the power factoring in, it would be from the 1 watt to 400W, we would land at 137 db (+26db); as the driver shown takes 600w it would land at around 138,5 db in the end, looking at four T30 stacked and plated.
Then doubling that to the planned stack of eight cabs, adding +6db more, i would end at 144,5 db flat 30-50 Hz where your chart comes to 14/12 (single, so 7/6 cabs when dual loaded but then width of above 30 probably?) needed to reach that (and 4 of the T48 to reach the same).
Total Power would be around 4800W, which is super within the range for me.

As stated, your sheet does single driver calculation, and the different driver selection checks as well for sure. Found your driver in a single enclosure, but 27" wide, showing the same number as your sheet:
Image

The closest i could find for the T48 is this:
Image
which is dual12, within the width, without plating together. So to go from there:
Taking the 100db at 40Hz, double that to a pair and double that to 4 brings 112db.
Adding 3db for plating comes in 115db, adding the 24db 26db for 400W comes at 139141; 600W at 140,5 142,5db. Dual12 vs your single 15 (more width). So to match the T30 144,5db i would probably need 6 of the T48 dual12"?
[Edit: Math did not math, corrected]
Not sure how to fit stacking 4 together in there, as there is only one. But also not factored in in the T30, just the benefit of stacking two for start.

As the used driver could be interchangeable, others have a slightly higher Vd than the 3012LF/4012 used here, but both would benefit from that upgrade?

Within the same width not sure if the single 15" would outrun the double 12" loading.

My way of thought goes the other way around, not how many T30 to fit Output of T48, rather the conclusion i could reach the same level of output of 8 T30 with around half the number of cabs when going for T48.
Which would be nice on the needed power side, fit into the available space as well (maybe), but give me double the size of a box which is not anymore seperateable into two.
On the other hand, the T30 uses double the amount of drivers, half the amount of wood and somehow the same space or less.

Also the stacking would differ, as the stack of 4 would have to sit centered and the DRs would need their own feet.
Nothing which can not be done, sure. But to keep it within the storage space, it wouldn't work as the first intention went. Maybe that intention has just to drop and i will build a 60"somewhat stand for the DRs.

The same way my thoughts walk around optimizing the T30 by horning up should go to the T48 to have a comparison that comes closer to true.
Would either of them benefit somehow in extending the plate into more horn?

I thought about the 3-wide-plating; possibly the drivers are then too far apart within the same horn mouth and would need to be timealigned to go together, if possible at all? As the middle one would sit a full cab behind the other two.

But the extension of the hornmouth still an open question for me; just adding the same question for the T48. Chances are, that the path is already long enough within the cab itself as within the T60, but better asked then died stupid.
Tom Smit wrote: Thu Jan 01, 2026 10:47 pm A thought came to mind, how much power do you have available to power the whole system?
This is pretty flexible, as i have access to different sizes of generators way above the needed range. So power is not really a limiting factor. But important to take within the calculation yes.
Usually we had a 23KvA that fitted everything, i think the maximum would be around 60 to carry by normal car on a trailer; i don't see me needing that.
Tom Smit wrote: Thu Jan 01, 2026 10:47 pm What are the actual measurements of your storage space?
It has a width of around 35", length of around 130" and a height of around 91". Accessible in one corner, the long side has a opening around 35" wide. No clue about the feet, i hope inches work.

Post Reply