Sundown : Revisiting Component Sets (Mid-Level)

[sundownz Pro Seller]

I did some early prototyping around this time last year on some mid-level sets and they were quite good, IMO... I decided to re-evaluate them a bit based on the listening I've had with them since that time.

I received the first early prototype of the new mid-level set a few days ago and I will be replacing the 2011 prototypes in my car with these soon.

The biggest change is the cone material... for a set like this that crosses over higher I prefer a paper base vs. the composite base (woven material) that the other set utilized.

The set is NOT done as I plan to modify the frame on the mid as well as the motor ventilation. There will be no fancy eye-candy to the set -- very basic cosmetically with as much focus on the actual sound as possible.

Once I finalize the details I will talk more about the pricing level on them. For the level of sound quality that I am shooting for it will be very fair.

Here are the photos of the early set :

* The crossovers use an "open tool" plastic housing but do offer some nice features; 12, 6, or full range slope on the mid LPF and also 0, -3, and -6 tweeter level adjustment. The grilles will remain a very basic model that offers good protection with little sonic interference.

* Fairly standard silk dome tweeter; no frills but a nice sounding unit that is not harsh.

* I really like this cone material... very smooth and natural sound.

* This basket and motor are not vented at all on this early set -- that will change for thermal and acoustic reasons.

* High quality spider with tight weave utilized

I will work on the packaging a little bit but I don't plan to make it super fancy and waste money where there is no performance gain to be had.

Once I feel the design is final I will be able to give an ETA -- as of now I cannot give one.

Click to read more...

 

[loudwhat? 10+ year member]

when are you putting them in your VW?

 

[nateberrier 10+ year member]

All function, no fashion baby. Hopefully you dont feel the same about your women though ^_6

 

[sundownz Pro Seller]

when are you putting them in your VW?

Maybe this weekend.

 

[Goindef154 5,000+ posts]

Look great man, glad you're coming out with some //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif. Any possibility of them having an empty middle to turn it into a coax? Not sure what the technical term is for that particular mod.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

About time you get working on some components. What sort of power range are these being designed towards?

Head's up for an email coming your way.

 

[Popwarhomie 5,000+ posts]

Sweet. I wantz! Hoping for under $200.

 

[sundownz Pro Seller]

Here is the frame I will be using on the set (cast aluminum) -- as I said initially this first prototype is mainly to test / verify the cone material performs like I want it to. This frame is only a few millimeters deeper than the stamped unit... total depth is going to be about ~66mm which is 2.59"

I am also thickening the back plate, doing some small motor modifications, and adding ventilation to the back plate as well to help relieve pressure / back-wave reflections and to keep coil temperatures down.

I'll be putting the initial set in my car shortly... then I will be getting the revised midranges as quickly as possible. Once I verify everything we should be ready to roll soon after on production assuming it all checks out in my testing.

Also... I expect MAP price from a dealer to come in under $200

 

---------- Post added at 09:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:03 AM ----------

 

Look great man, glad you're coming out with some //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif. Any possibility of them having an empty middle to turn it into a coax? Not sure what the technical term is for that particular mod.

I am not planning to make this set a "convertible" (as some mfg call it)

I may do a dedicated coax later, though.

 

---------- Post added at 09:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:04 AM ----------

 

About time you get working on some components. What sort of power range are these being designed towards?
Head's up for an email coming your way.

Likely rated for ~125 RMS

 

[SPLaudio 5,000+ posts]

i see you selling many sets ,stock up //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[sundownz Pro Seller]

That is the plan! Lots of pent up demand as folks have been on us for years to make a component set. The time is right now, though, I think //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[DARKHART 10+ year member]

Lots of pent up demand as folks have been on us for years to make a component set

Yes I have!!...oophs...did I type that outloud..hehehehehe

 

[sundownz Pro Seller]

Making some progress on the finalized mid... the cone material turned out great on the first sample so we've moved onto the rest of the details :

* Cone mounted on the new frame

* Side view with the cast frame

* Gap venting implemented... the finish is NOT final it is only for sampling.

* The final finish will be smooth with chrome plating... will look VERY nice and also will be very corrosion resistant.

 

[tylork92 10+ year member]

looking good.

 

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

Me like.

 

[sundownz Pro Seller]

Response graphs of the mid (with off axis) and the tweeter -- the thick vertical line represents the crossover frequency. As you can see it is very appropriate on this set to get a nice response from both drivers :

We will measure them in my car too once the new mid arrives.