Sundown SAX100.4 vs Alpine PDX150.4

[Bun-Bun 10+ year member]

I can get a PDX150.4 $400 shipped on ebay new 2008 model.

Would it really be worth it to get the sundown amp being its lower power and I am in Canada? (Don't even know where to get one!)

Or should I get the SAX100.4 and bridge the fronts and say screw rear fill or run them off HU power...

But again! where can I get one?

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[rc10mike 10+ year member]

Im sure most on here will tell you to get the Sundown, but the PDX is a lot smaller and more powerful, so it seems like a no brainer to me.

 

[gsr22 10+ year member]

how can we recommend something when we dont know whats its powering? goals? etc

 

[Bun-Bun 10+ year member]

how can we recommend something when we dont know whats its powering? goals? etc

Well you could compare the amps on power, quality, value without knowing anything else. But...

Initially I will be power 4 6.5" Memphis PR Coaxials. I plan to get the Hertz HSK165's (and maybe the MLK's in the future) unless my local dealer sells me on macrom... then I may be going that but either way a pair of high end components in the front.

I have had my eye on the PDX150.4 for awhile now (and the 100.4 model for bridging) but everyone on here praises Sundown so **** much and the only really indepth review I can find of the Alpine gives it a good rating but even says the low damping factor is noticeable... hence looking to alternatives. So thinking of the Sundown as an alternative but to really get the power im looking to have I would have to bridge it once I get the HSK's and/or the MLK's although for while its on the memphis it would do great in 4ch...

 

[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

it really depends on what you're using the amps for. Personally i'd go with the sundown because of the fact that I can run active off the amp. Which is a big plus for me. However, the Alpine is one of the more powerful amp for the size.

Just don't buy the JL HD, just because i don't like JL and fanboys are too quick to say that JL's HD is better than Alpine's PDX

 

[titanle 10+ year member]

would you run the amp active with the hertz??? or utilize the hertz crossover?

 

[Bun-Bun 10+ year member]

it really depends on what you're using the amps for. Personally i'd go with the sundown because of the fact that I can run active off the amp. Which is a big plus for me. However, the Alpine is one of the more powerful amp for the size.
Just don't buy the JL HD, just because i don't like JL and fanboys are too quick to say that JL's HD is better than Alpine's PDX

I have a Alpine CDA-9887 which does active well I hear... but I don't think I really want to play with active in my daily driver.

And as far as JL well its really only between the Alpine and Sundown as I can get the PDX $400 shipped on ebay... havent found a good place for the sundown yet though I have a lead...

would you run the amp active with the hertz??? or utilize the hertz crossover?

more then likely use its crossover.

My biggest concern between the two I guess is the midbass response. Like from around 60-120hz due to the lower damping factor on the PDX which i have read does affect the bottom end control.

 

[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

I have a Alpine CDA-9887 which does active well I hear... but I don't think I really want to play with active in my daily driver.
And as far as JL well its really only between the Alpine and Sundown as I can get the PDX $400 shipped on ebay... havent found a good place for the sundown yet though I have a lead...

I say go with the Alpine and save some space. And they're sexy as hell

 

[ljbetty]

Sundown SAX100.4 is more fit for your speaker system.

 

[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

Sundown SAX100.4 is more fit for your speaker system.

how so?

 

[mepratt1234@cha 10+ year member]

I'd take the Alpine.

 

[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

more then likely use its crossover.

My biggest concern between the two I guess is the midbass response. Like from around 60-120hz due to the lower damping factor on the PDX which i have read does affect the bottom end control.

believe me when i say that in a car environment, even if there is a change in sound. You probably won't notice it since the change will be absolutely minute.

 

[gsr22 10+ year member]

you can get a sundown refurb from chris at dbr for 310 shipped with 1 year warranty

but if your not going to the speakers actively (which i highly recommend) then might as well get a 2 channel

sell those crappy coaxs and get something your really gonna enjoy.

remember you get what you pay for.

do lots of research

there are reviews on these amps by very knowlegble people

bikinpunk did a review on the pdx;s over on Diyma

 

[Bun-Bun 10+ year member]

you can get a sundown refurb from chris at dbr for 310 shipped with 1 year warranty
but if your not going to the speakers actively (which i highly recommend) then might as well get a 2 channel

sell those crappy coaxs and get something your really gonna enjoy.

remember you get what you pay for.

do lots of research

there are reviews on these amps by very knowlegble people

bikinpunk did a review on the pdx;s over on Diyma

dbr?

And regardless of going active or not I want enough power. I had some M-Class 6x9's in my beretta on a bridged Octane-R 5.0:4 (150wrmsx2) and loved them. I want to see what some good components will do with that kind of power... so I need either a powerful 2 channle or a bridged 4 channle.

And while the memphis PR's are hardly junk... I am looking into getting some HSK165's or maybe the milles... Local delear doesn't have them amped properly so my impression of them right now is not so good... though I am sure once amped properly the MSK's would be much smoother then the HSK's.

 

[gsr22 10+ year member]

Dbr.com Authorized Sundown repair