4 sa8s or 2 L5 12's???

Totally different motor structure/basket/and of course the cone... not really much in common other than the Kicker emblem.
lol, why you hugging on kicker? the only decent sub they make is the x and that isnt in the discussion right now.

we have ran 4 sa-8's on very near the same power in the past, they love it. hell we put 1500 rms to 2 of them, they will take power like crazy in the right enclosure.

 
They both make great gear. We're all stereo-nuts here - why you gotta bring the hate?

OP asked which would be the better pick - just trying to offer a fair comparison here since the typical knee-jerk response seems to be "Sundown beats everything."

(Yes, the solo X's are a great sub - but you brought them up, not me.)

Most of the quantifiable points have already been made - given the power we're talking, the (4) 8's are going to be a better fit for that amp (though it's not clear if he's looking for a music build or purely burp). Power-for-power, I'd say the L5's are going to be louder though, up to the thermal limits of the woofer.

I'd propose a 3rd option though, (4) L5 10's - way more cone area than either of the other 2 setups (still not quite the power handling your looking for) - but if this is just a burp build - no problem… It should be noted the L5's have been discontinued over a year ago though - and will be increasingly harder to get a hold of (new).

A fourth option, if you want the most cone area and good power handling - L7's instead of L5's.

Something else to take into consideration:

two L5 12's = $315 - Car Stereo and more at HiFiSoundconnection

four L5 10's = $492 - Car Stereo and more at HiFiSoundconnection

four SA8's = $740 - through Sundown

four L7 10's = $760 - Car Stereo and more at HiFiSoundconnection

lol, why you hugging on kicker? the only decent sub they make is the x and that isnt in the discussion right now.
we have ran 4 sa-8's on very near the same power in the past, they love it. hell we put 1500 rms to 2 of them, they will take power like crazy in the right enclosure.
 
They both make great gear. We're all stereo-nuts here - why you gotta bring the hate?
OP asked which would be the better pick - just trying to offer a fair comparison here since the typical knee-jerk response seems to be "Sundown beats everything."

(Yes, the solo X's are a great sub - but you brought them up, not me.)

Most of the quantifiable points have already been made - given the power we're talking, the (4) 8's are going to be a better fit for that amp (though it's not clear if he's looking for a music build or purely burp). Power-for-power, I'd say the L5's are going to be louder though, up to the thermal limits of the woofer.

I'd propose a 3rd option though, (4) L5 10's - way more cone area than either of the other 2 setups (still not quite the power handling your looking for) - but if this is just a burp build - no problem… It should be noted the L5's have been discontinued over a year ago though - and will be increasingly harder to get a hold of (new).

A fourth option, if you want the most cone area and good power handling - L7's instead of L5's.

Something else to take into consideration:

two L5 12's = $315 - Car Stereo and more at HiFiSoundconnection

four L5 10's = $492 - Car Stereo and more at HiFiSoundconnection

four SA8's = $740 - through Sundown

four L7 10's = $760 - Car Stereo and more at HiFiSoundconnection
L5s and L7s are garbage compared to Sundown audio. And I'm not even saying Sundown is the best but it sure as hell beats Kicker.

Op I'd go with the four 8s. You have more motor force, take up less room and still get louder.

 
copy/paste much?

Jacob sets a good example of respecting the other gear out there on the market as well as promoting his own - why do so many Sundown fanatics take such a negative approach and feel they have to tear others down?

I admire his work, he makes great product - I run some Sundown equipment in my own ride - but hating on another company is pointless and gets this conversation nowhere.

L5s and L7s are garbage compared to Sundown audio. And I'm not even saying Sundown is the best but it sure as hell beats Kicker.
Op I'd go with the four 8s. You have more motor force, take up less room and still get louder.
 
im not saying anything about kicker that isnt true, there subs (aside from the x) are pretty much junk, very cheap Chinese parts (yes i know sundown subs are also built in china, but the qc and the quality of parts that go into them are miles ahead of kicker), and old worn out designs. not to mention overpriced for the product.

kicker however does make some nice amps, im just very unimpressed with their subs.

and again, im not hating, im just putting out facts that will help guide the decision.

4 of the sa-8 v2's in the correct enclosure can easily play flat from low 20s into the 70hz range and get very loud doing it, and i can say this from experience, i have a pair of them that are flat from 22 to 76 and move enough air to get the ends of some hair floating. and thats on a dsc 1500.1

 
copy/paste much?
Jacob sets a good example of respecting the other gear out there on the market as well as promoting his own - why do so many Sundown fanatics take such a negative approach and feel they have to tear others down?

I admire his work, he makes great product - I run some Sundown equipment in my own ride - but hating on another company is pointless and gets this conversation nowhere.
I dont even run Sundown anyway, but I've ran kicker and it's nothing special. I'm hating on it because it is junk. The Solo xs and their amps are nice, but the other subs really aren't that great.

 
has anyone tried to run one of these little 8" beasts through Hornresp?...geez, if you could horn load just one of those things (mini-tuba type, or similar small horn design) and nail it with 750 - 1000 watts...geez, now that would be something to bragg about.

 
lol, why you hugging on kicker? the only decent sub they make is the x and that isnt in the discussion right now.
we have ran 4 sa-8's on very near the same power in the past, they love it. hell we put 1500 rms to 2 of them, they will take power like crazy in the right enclosure.
Why are you a follower opposed to a nut hugger? Hating on Kicker is always the popular thing right? Well too bad I've ran 2 L5 12's on a ZX2500.1D @ 2ohms getting nearly 3k for a year before the surround came off of one. Just Glued it back on and they slammed another year. They also sounded GREAT in the Hoe and got louder than my DC Level 3 15's (off twice the power of course.) so why hate?>

You guys are ridiculous with your bandwagon bullshit.

 
Kicker has gone through quite a few design changes over the years - it's not real clear what aspect you deem as 'worn out'. Do you want things changed just for the sake of changing them? Not a very steady business model...

As far as QC, what is your judging criteria exactly?

As far as being overpriced - all depends where you get them from I guess... true with anything.

I can't really offer a counter to you being unimpressed with the subs, since I don't know what you've listened to or whether it was even in an optimal enclosure (or simply an off-the-shelf prefab - which seems to be a common trait where Kicker is sold unfortunately).

I'm not sure what your definition of a 'flat' response is (without seeing your numbers, PM'ed btw), but I can float hair on a single 10" woofer, though a purely subjective comparison here isn't really going to prove much in terms of SPL.

im not saying anything about kicker that isnt true, there subs (aside from the x) are pretty much junk, very cheap Chinese parts (yes i know sundown subs are also built in china, but the qc and the quality of parts that go into them are miles ahead of kicker), and old worn out designs. not to mention overpriced for the product.
kicker however does make some nice amps, im just very unimpressed with their subs.

and again, im not hating, im just putting out facts that will help guide the decision.

4 of the sa-8 v2's in the correct enclosure can easily play flat from low 20s into the 70hz range and get very loud doing it, and i can say this from experience, i have a pair of them that are flat from 22 to 76 and move enough air to get the ends of some hair floating. and thats on a dsc 1500.1
 
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