SAZ1200d Not enough power?

[Fishpoke 10+ year member]

Hello my first thread here, I just bought a sundown saz1200d and 2 sa12s wired into a 1ohm load on the amp. The amp should be pushing 1200watts at its max (though I understand sundown amps have a reputation for low balling themselves) not sure I'm getting this though.

I've been trying to tune my system over the last couple days trying to get the most thump out of it however I'm noticing on some songs (usually ones with a kick in a bassline) my amps clip light will flash with that kick, however when its just a solid throbbing bassline I can push the amp a lot harder without the clip light flashing.

My electrical is subpar, haven't done the big 2 of the big 3 although I do have multiple chassis grounds off the negative terminal with 4 gauge. Battery hasn't been upgraded yet although I'm not seeing any significant voltage drops when the amp is clipping. Not sure if this is playing into the clipping or not? I know the sa's are rated for 600 rms but can easily take double that, however this amp is not pushing them anywhere near their limits.

So what do I need, beefier amp? or better electrical?

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[T.I.K]

both, electrical first and what are specs of the box?

 

[Fishpoke 10+ year member]

Honestly not sure, at the time I bought everything I took the only box they had that would fit in my car. I'm planning on getting a custom made box, I'm sure the volume is on the smaller side for these drivers. I'll take measurements tomorrow.

I know the length is 38" and depth is around 19" never measured the height.

 

[T.I.K]

new box first. a prefab that's probably tuned high and doesn't have enough port area is never good. get the proper size box and they will come alive

 

[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

that amp isnt enough power for 2 sa12.s to begin with..and build a new box

 

[Fishpoke 10+ year member]

Mmmk thanks for the input. Going to do electrical first, then box, then bigger amp when I can. I'm thinking something with closer to 2400 watts sound about right?

 

[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

just buy another saz1200 but yea get that electrical in order first ...switch out all that 4 gauge for some good 1/0 ....i had 2 sa12.s on 2 saz1000 a while back it was pretty impressive

 

[Austin175 10+ year member]

I agree beef up your electrical an switch all wire to some good 1/0 like knu konceptz, Audio Technix, Shok Industries etc. Then get a custom made box to the specs an to what space you have to work with. As for power I have my SA 15s on a crescendo 3kwp which is rated at 3k @ 1ohm but it is underrated an will do more then the 3k it's rated for an mine take the amp all day long.

 

[mclerico83 5,000+ posts]

the box is the main problem. do the big 3 and have @double 07 ; build u a custom box. this is the most important aspect of any sub stage. you wont believe the difference

 

[RicksI30 10+ year member]

that amp isnt enough power for 2 sa12.s to begin with..

That is absolutely not true at all.

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

You have enough amp. The box is holding you back at this point. A little clipping should not destroy your equipment, as long as the light isn't staying on, and just flashes occasionally.

 

[Fishpoke 10+ year member]

^^^ yeah I mean it gets loud enough that I wouldn't listen at that level for long but its just minor flashing, not staying on solid. Like I said some songs its no problem, other ones its frequent.

In regards to second saz1200... how would you wire those? I know there is a way to link them but do I have to run more wires or is it like wiring subs in series? Neg of 1 > 12v of other > neg of other to ground?

 

[NASTY08IMPALA 5,000+ posts]

^^^ yeah I mean it gets loud enough that I wouldn't listen at that level for long but its just minor flashing, not staying on solid. Like I said some songs its no problem, other ones its frequent.
In regards to second saz1200... how would you wire those? I know there is a way to link them but do I have to run more wires or is it like wiring subs in series? Neg of 1 > 12v of other > neg of other to ground?

you would strap them

 

---------- Post added at 03:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:38 AM ----------

 

That is absolutely not true at all.

since when is running rms to a sa12 enough power ?

 

[RicksI30 10+ year member]

^^^ yeah I mean it gets loud enough that I wouldn't listen at that level for long but its just minor flashing, not staying on solid. Like I said some songs its no problem, other ones its frequent.
In regards to second saz1200... how would you wire those? I know there is a way to link them but do I have to run more wires or is it like wiring subs in series? Neg of 1 > 12v of other > neg of other to ground?

You will need significantly better electrical if you want to add another amp. You would also need to run the amps at .5 each which would require even better electrical than if they were at 1 ohm. Either way you need a better enclosure, start there.

 

[RicksI30 10+ year member]

you would strap them 

---------- Post added at 03:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:38 AM ----------

 

since when is running rms to a sa12 enough power ?

What is your definition of enough? They can take more than rated but that does not mean that they need more power. In a perfect world you would need to double power to hear a difference and that will get costly between getting bigger/more amps and the electrical to back them up.