Dayton Audio RSS315HFA-8
12″ subwoofer · 8 Ω · 400 W RMS
The Dayton Audio RSS315HFA-8 is a 12″ subwoofer. With Qts 0.44 and EBP 41 it suits a sealed box: tight bass in a small enclosure; a ported box would need a lot of volume.
| Source | parts-express.com · manufacturer data |
|---|---|
| Checked against source | October 2026 |
| Thiele/Small parameters | complete |
| Mounting dimensions | 3 of 4 — missing: magnet diameter; the designer will use an estimate |
Recommended box
For a sedan, one sub, 400 W. It’s the same math as the designer’s step-by-step mode, where you can fit the box to your space, vehicle and amp and get plans, a cut sheet and DXF.
Sealed
smaller, tighterManufacturer spec: 1.50 ft³ · source
| Bass character (Qtc) | Tight and punchy · 0.80 |
|---|---|
| Fc | 40 Hz |
| F3 (−3 dB, no cabin gain) | 38 Hz |
| Example box (outside) | 14 3/16″ × 14 3/16″ × 18 11/16″ |
Ported
deeper, louderManufacturer spec: 2.51 ft³ · source
| Tuning (Fb) | 30 Hz |
|---|---|
| Port | slot 1 9/16 × 14 5/16″, 22 13/16″ long |
| Port velocity at 400 W | 61 ft/s |
| F3 (−3 dB, no cabin gain) | 28 Hz |
| Example box (outside) | 31 1/2″ × 15 3/4″ × 13 1/2″ |
Deeper: 3.04 ft³ (86 L) tuned to 27 Hz, 31 1/2″ × 15 3/4″ × 15 11/16″ outside — a bigger box with flatter deep bass. Open in the calculator
Projects with this subwoofer
Boxes that users designed and published: plans, cut sheet and response graph.
Thiele/Small parameters
| Size | 12″ |
|---|---|
| Voice coils | 8 Ω |
| RMS power | 400 W |
| Fs | 22.2 Hz |
| Qts | 0.44 |
| Qes | 0.54 |
| Qms | 2.5 |
| Vas | 3.43 ft³ |
| Re | 6.5 Ω |
|---|---|
| Sd | 78.5 in² |
| Xmax | 0.56″ |
| Vd | 44.2 in³ calc. |
| Mms | 193 g calc. |
| BL | 18 T·m calc. |
| EBP | 41 — suits sealed calc. |
| Sensitivity, 1 W / 1 m | 84.9 dB calc. |
Mounting dimensions
| Cutout diameter | 11 1/8″ |
|---|---|
| Mounting depth | 5 3/4″ |
| Overall diameter | 12 3/8″ |
Where it fits in a vehicle
Spots from our vehicle guides where the cutout, mounting depth and recommended box fit. The spot sizes are approximate — measure your own vehicle.
- Bronco 4-door — behind the rear seat sealed box
- Wrangler 4-door, hard top — behind the rear seat sealed and ported box
- Wrangler 4-door, soft top — behind the rear seat sealed and ported box
- Silverado / Sierra Crew Cab — under the rear seat sealed box
- FJ Cruiser — behind the rear seat sealed and ported box
- El Camino 1978–87 — behind the seat sealed and ported box
- Cherokee XJ — cargo area, spare moved out sealed and ported box
- Excursion — behind the third row sealed and ported box
- Mustang 2015–2023 coupe — trunk sealed and ported box
- Challenger / Charger — trunk sealed and ported box
- Club Car Precedent — under the rear seat sealed box
“≈” means the value isn’t in the spec sheet and a typical value for the size is used; “calc.” means it’s calculated from the published parameters. Check the manufacturer’s spec sheet before you build.
Data sources
Other Dayton Audio 12″ models
- Dayton Audio DCS305-4 12″ · 4 Ω
- Dayton Audio LS12-44 12″ · dual 4 Ω
- Dayton Audio MX12-22 12″ · dual 2 Ω
- Dayton Audio PCS12-4 12″ · 4 Ω
- Dayton Audio RSS315HF-4 12″ · 4 Ω
- Dayton Audio RSS315HO-4 12″ · 4 Ω
- Dayton Audio RSS315HO-44 12″ · dual 4 Ω
- Dayton Audio SD315A-88 12″ · dual 8 Ω
- Dayton Audio SS12-22 12″ · dual 2 Ω
- Dayton Audio UM12-22 12″ · dual 2 Ω
- Dayton Audio UMII12-22 12″ · dual 2 Ω
Similar 12″ subwoofers from other brands
Close in Fs, Qts and Vas — a box of similar volume will suit them.
- JBL GTO1202D 1.52 ft³ sealed · 2.44 ft³ ported
- Infinity Kappa Perfect 12.1 1.52 ft³ sealed · 2.44 ft³ ported
- Diamond D122 1.52 ft³ sealed · 2.30 ft³ ported
- Infinity Kappa 122.7W 1.70 ft³ sealed · 2.44 ft³ ported
- Focal SUB 12 (SVC 4 ohm) 1.41 ft³ sealed · 2.15 ft³ ported
- JL Audio 12W3v2-D2 1.70 ft³ sealed · 2.40 ft³ ported
All 12″ subwoofers in our database →
FAQ
What box does the Dayton Audio RSS315HFA-8 need?
Recommended net volume: 1.52 ft³ sealed, 2.51 ft³ ported tuned to 30 Hz — for one sub in a sedan at 400 W. Fit the box to your space and amp in the free calculator, with plans and a cut sheet.
What are the Dayton Audio RSS315HFA-8 Thiele/Small specs?
Fs 22.2 Hz, Qts 0.44, Vas 3.43 ft³, Xmax 0.56″, Sd 78.5 in².
What is the Dayton Audio RSS315HFA-8 mounting depth?
Mounting depth is 5 3/4″, cutout diameter 11 1/8″. The inside depth of the box must exceed the mounting depth by at least 1″.
How much power does the Dayton Audio RSS315HFA-8 handle and how do I wire it?
RMS power rating: 400 W. Wiring for several subs and amp power — in the wiring calculator.
Is the Dayton Audio RSS315HFA-8 better sealed or ported?
EBP 41: a sealed box (1.52 ft³) suits it best — tight bass in a compact enclosure. Ported is possible (2.51 ft³, tuned to 30 Hz) but larger.
What port does the Dayton Audio RSS315HFA-8 need?
For the 2.51 ft³ ported box tuned to 30 Hz: slot 1 9/16 × 14 5/16″, 22 13/16″ long, area 22.6 in²; or a round port Ø5 3/8″, ≈ 22 13/16″ long. Port air speed at 400 W: 61 ft/s.
What box do two Dayton Audio RSS315HFA-8 subs need?
Two subs need twice the volume: 3.04 ft³ sealed, or 5.01 ft³ ported at the same 30 Hz tuning with twice the port area. One shared chamber or one per sub — whatever fits your vehicle.