Sundown vs AQ vs yo mama

[Bob Saget]

Need a little input for picking out a sub for my Grand Cherokee. My last setup was a ported 12'' Kicker solobaric L5 powered by an older model 750w RMS Infinity Reference amp. I'm wanting to get just as loud, if not louder, but sound a LOT better doing it.

Wanting to run one in a ported enclosure. I really, really like the SA-12, but they're a little pricey. Are the AQ SDC 2.5's on par with the SA's? I can save about $60 going with a 12'' AQ. So unless it's a dramatic difference, that's what I'm leaning towards.

Also, are there any other subs I should look into for the price range of the AQ?

Subwoofer will be powered by a brand new (circa '92) ZED classic.....The Crunch CR250:

500 x 1 @ 4ohm bridged (12.5v ratings)

> .03% THD

Click to read more...

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Dude, the SDC's are really the best out there for the price that I've found. I'm in the same boat.

 

[Cruzer 10+ year member]

for the money the AQ 12 cant be beat at $140.

Here is what i dont understand. Why is there so much hype about sa-12? Yes its a beast but...

what makes it worth the extra money?

i have limited experience, but ive had a 15" fi ssd off ~900 watts, dc lvl 3 15" off ~900 watts, i notice not 1 single audible difference. graph them with winisd, they are almost identical.

so when i graph 12" fi ssd, sa-12, aq12, tc epic 12, dc lvl 3, it shows very little difference in SPL. all using a 2 cubic box tuned to 30hz.

so i really wish someone could educate me as to why the sa-12 is the best 12" according to 99% of this forum. Im not saying its not, im just asking for why.

when i look at them from a SQ perspective, the tc epic 12 and dc lvl 3 have the best curves. aq is right behind being almost flat. the ssd and sundown have a peak and then even out.

my vote goes AQ12 or tc epic 12. epic prob has a little better sq, probably not noticeable, and the aq is cheapest. only thing i can say about the sundown is it can probably handle the most watts daily

 

[Boomsday 10+ year member]

pm'ed

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

I would just get the SDC. I've never been disappointed with my AQ's.

 

[Boomsday 10+ year member]

I would just get the SDC. I've never been disappointed with my AQ's.

me 2..ssd's are nice 2 tho, so are old school re sx's

 

[Bob Saget]

pm'ed

no you didn't //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

 

[power-fanatic07 5,000+ posts]

There are tons of competitors using sa12's and putting up huge numbers, now name ONE competitor who runs sdc's that puts up good numbers?

 

[Bob Saget]

There are tons of competitors using sa12's and putting up huge numbers, now name ONE competitor who runs sdc's that puts up good numbers?

I'm not trying to put up huge numbers, my amp is only 500w RMS. I think everybody understands the SA-12 can take some serious power for competing. I think they're saying that with 500-600w RMS the AQ sounds just as good & gets just as loud as the SA-12, & costs about $60 less.

 

[Cruzer 10+ year member]

There are tons of competitors using sa12's and putting up huge numbers, now name ONE competitor who runs sdc's that puts up good numbers?

Prove that 2 sdc 12s cant get just as loud as 2 sa 12s off the same power.

 

[memphis_vette 10+ year member]

i would go with the sdc... i have a AQ1200d amp and i love it. they have good **** for the price

 

[power-fanatic07 5,000+ posts]

Prove that 2 sdc 12s cant get just as loud as 2 sa 12s off the same power.

Paypal me 700$ and I will. Seriously though if you don't believe it check this video out.

 

[Bob Saget]

Prove that 2 sdc 12s cant get just as loud as 2 sa 12s off the same power.

That's what I was thinking, & I've been told that the SA-12's like a bit more than the 600RMS rating. My ZED Crunch amp, rated 500w, benched @ 587.2w @ 14.34v. I find it hard to believe the SA-12 will get noticeably louder than an SDC off that power. & IMO the AQ sub sounds better.

 

[Bob Saget]

Paypal me 700$ and I will. Seriously though if you don't believe it check this video out.

That isn't an SA-12 vs SDC......& it's alot more than 500-600w.

 

[power-fanatic07 5,000+ posts]

Ok bro just trying to help, have fun not getting loud.

 

[Popwarhomie 5,000+ posts]

I would go with the SDCs. Ive had quite a few AQ products and loved them all. I have sundown SA-8s now and they are also nice but I would pick the SDCs over the SAs because of price difference.

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

He's only using recommended power. That SA-BTL comparison has nothing to do with the price of tea in China.

 

[sundownz Pro Seller]

I'm not trying to put up huge numbers' date=' my amp is only 500w RMS. I think everybody understands the SA-12 can take some serious power for competing. I think they're saying that with 500-600w RMS the AQ sounds just as good & gets just as loud as the SA-12, & costs about $60 less.[/quote']
At 500-watts the power handling advantage of the SA-12 doesn't come into play -- but in my testing it out-performs the SDC at under 40 Hz by a fair amount. Some people may prefer the sound of one or the other more... up to the individual there.

 

[sundownz Pro Seller]

so i really wish someone could educate me as to why the sa-12 is the best 12" according to 99% of this forum. Im not saying its not, im just asking for why.

You nailed it in your post... they are extremely difficult to tear up -- that is what 99% of car audio customers are looking for whether they want to admit it or not.

Not only that but they sound really good (also measure well per my Klippel data) and get loud.

Went to a stereo show over the weekend and counted 84 of the SA series woofers at that show... obviously there is something to like about them.

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Any one want to do a direct comparison of a SDC vs. a SA-12 on 500-600w?