Orion or Sundown Wutta U think?

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

I would say Sundown as you get a warranty which can really save some bucks if somthing happens. I have never heard any bad things about getting an amp fixed from them.

Are there any amps that are made in the US anymore really?

 

[sundownz Pro Seller]

Rich B,

I agree that many of the US made amps are fantastic products and some of the older USA built amps are pretty cool and I've had several of them over the years and liked them. But, I would say that it is simply not practical for most companies to make amps in the USA unless they own their own factory these days. Of course, if it comes down to preference that is simply up to you //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

There really isn't much reason to either, as if you have your mind set on making a good product you can make it in Asia, with every bit as much quality, for substantially less money. Sometimes it takes a while to get them to meet your standards, but they can and will do it if you work with them -- many times they are so used to hearing "make it cheap" they are surprised when you ask for something that is the best they can do.

I know that almost nobody would pay $1199 MSRP for a 1500-watt Class-D amplifier, which is roughly what an amp with similar power output figures to my SAZ-1500D made here in the USA would sell for. I talked to a USA manufacturer about such a project and have decided that it doesn't make any sense right now due to the cost. I'm really not just pulling numbers out, I made inquiries //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif Maybe once I'm established and can offer an "esoteric high end" line I can do it, but stuff like that doesn't sell even 5% as much as "regular" mid level to high-end products.

I'm fairly certain that Helix, DLS, and Focal all own their own factories so it takes a "middle man" out of the picture -- which is the only way they can offer their products as "low" as they do now. Even DLS is sourcing in Asia now... I believe many of their speakers were moved to China for production recently -- many of the other European brands will probably follow suit, especially because of the very high value of the Euro.

 

[onefastsi 10+ year member]

Rich and Jacob....

I too have been doing this for quite some time. I remember the "good old days" of car audio...stuff "Made in the USA" was sheer power! And lots of it...stuff made in Japan was all finesse....

Just seems like a few companies own it all now and it's hard to find a good, high quality piece of equipement that isn't designed to BLING for the young crowd. I'm going on 42 this year and still am at it!

Oh, and btw, I've been emailing Jacob...I may be trying a Sundown amp here soon //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Vince

 

[toughone00 10+ year member]

sundown hands down amazing power

 

[Orion Man 10+ year member]

Man, this thread really took off. I didn't expect that. I have always loved Orion products (hence my board name), but, due to the fact that their hard to find I have been doing alot of research for something else and the SD Audio amps were my 1st choice.

My new setup will comprise of 2 amps (sub & 4ch), 2 Fi Q12 subs, Rainbow mids/highs, Stinger electrical, and Alpine or Pioneer for the HU.

I found a rare XTREME 2600 amp and an Xtreme 400.4. I was thinking of purchasing the pair, but I am a little weiry due to the fact that they are used.

Jacob, would your 1500.1 run a pair of Fi Q's fine (2krms for the pr), or would you reccommend your 3000.1?

 

[Silverbane 10+ year member]

I would recommend a pair of 1000D's strapped, they will be right around 2k at 2ohms. The 1500 might not be enough and the 3k might be too much.

That is my educated opinion though.

 

[Silverbane 10+ year member]

And I think the 1k is **** cute amp...(I have a feeling I am gonna get flamed for that)

 

[sundownz Pro Seller]

Man, this thread really took off. I didn't expect that. I have always loved Orion products (hence my board name), but, due to the fact that their hard to find I have been doing alot of research for something else and the SD Audio amps were my 1st choice.
My new setup will comprise of 2 amps (sub & 4ch), 2 Fi Q12 subs, Rainbow mids/highs, Stinger electrical, and Alpine or Pioneer for the HU.

I found a rare XTREME 2600 amp and an Xtreme 400.4. I was thinking of purchasing the pair, but I am a little weiry due to the fact that they are used.

Jacob, would your 1500.1 run a pair of Fi Q's fine (2krms for the pr), or would you reccommend your 3000.1?

Several people do use the 1500D on a pair of FI Q subs. Depending on your taste it may not be enough output for you. IMHO, it would work very nicely and would be more than enough for me, personally.

SilverBane is correct that an SAZ-3000D might be pushing it, but if you can control yourself on the volume knob it will work quite well. The Qs will take 1500 watts each sparingly, but not at any and all frequencies and on any material you can throw at them. Just get to know the subs limits and this option will be one of the most effective.

A pair of SAE-1000Ds is another "in between" option that would work out very well.

 

[denim 5,000+ posts]

I am biased, but keep in mind I have owned plenty of Orion amps over the years, still own 3. I still lean towards the Sundown, warranty and customer service from Jacob is something you won't get from the Orions.

 

[Orion Man 10+ year member]

Silverbane- I never thought of doing that (kinda no brainer LOL). That would feed the subs more than enough considering the amps are overrated.

Jacob- Thanks for chiming in. I have been looking at your products for quite awhile with never hearing a single bad thing about them. I know what I want and when the system is complete, I will post pics.

Thanks everyone!

 

[bose301s 5,000+ posts]

And I think the 1k is **** cute amp...(I have a feeling I am gonna get flamed for that)

And its an amazing amp as well, lol.

 

[Qbenjamin 10+ year member]

Wow, this is a first that I have seen on this site.......... An intelligent dispute with posts that actually support their responses. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eek.gif.771b7a90cf45cabdc554ff1121c21c4a.gif//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eyebrow.gif.fe2c18d8720fe8c7eaed347b21ea05a5.gif

j/k

P.S. As a former Orion buyer myself, every since Directed bought them out, the have been making "Quality" less and less a partr of their selling tools. Also, as a former Sundown owner, I enjoyed my SAZ 1500D tremendously while I had it. Unfortunitely, I am not the person that can handle 1500w daily. That's just too loud for me. One thing in particular that I definitely like was the soft turn on feature on the Sundown. Not a lot of companis are doing that nowadays. Heck, my JL 1000/1 doesn't even have the soft turn on. Also, the Sundown amps don't have the annoying "Chrome" or "Plexi-Glass" as something to look cool and buy it for. Jacob has kept it simple and powerful.

 

[Silverbane 10+ year member]

Silverbane- I never thought of doing that (kinda no brainer LOL). That would feed the subs more than enough considering the amps are overrated.
Jacob- Thanks for chiming in. I have been looking at your products for quite awhile with never hearing a single bad thing about them. I know what I want and when the system is complete, I will post pics.

Thanks everyone!

They are a touch underrated, not overrated. Jake clamped the 1k at about 1100rms at 1ohm.

Haha, what good is having reps if they cant make good suggestions. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Colt9699 10+ year member]

Ok to start I have never owned a SD amp so I cant speak to these amps, but I have and do own an Orion now and absolutely love it.

I guess my best advice would be find what best works for your set up and budget and go with it, from what I hear about the SD amps you wont be disappointed, and Im sure you wont be disappointed with any old skool Orion products.

 

[lilgator 10+ year member]

Quit actin' silly mang... get the Sundown. very reliable powerful, clean, and versitile amp.

customer service 2nd to none

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