Testing "SA-12" Prototype

sundownz
Pro Seller

Supporting Vendor
Figured I would post this over here too for those interested in some good old fashioned woofer testing!

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Sundown Audio SA-12 Prototype

600-watts RMS / 2.5" Coil / D4 configuration

ETA - Don't have one yet

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Yes, it will have "Sundown Audio" on the dust cap by the time it reaches production.

Designed to be used as a pair with the SAE-1200D.

Will first be available in 12s when production is ready, then other sizes later (no 8s or 18s).

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INITIAL TESTING TODAY:

I used the old test box from the VW in the Jeep... which is ~2 cubes tuned around 30-35 Hz or so, port nearly touching the hatch (eg: very poor setup for getting numbers).

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* Pictures from testing in my VW

Peak still @ 50 Hz -- 138.3 dB with ~720 watts or so.

I played music with constant power from 500 - 720 watts clamped in this box for 5-10 minutes. Woofer did not display any mechanical stress except on 720-watt peaks -- will probably make the magnet stack taller for production to avoid that as the coil can contact the back plate at 26.25mm of excursion, which I was able to achieve.

I also played the 50 Hz tone for several minutes at the same power level as before - score stayed pretty constant.

I then turned the frequency up to 60 Hz and let it play... didn't really clamp the power at first but about 20 seconds in I got curious. Sub was seeing 1800+ watts clamped power and by the time I hit pause was doing so for about 40 seconds or so. Sub is still just fine.

So... probably 15 minutes or so of at least 500 watts and as much as 1800 watts on sine wave material and no issues at all.

Design seems to be meeting it's goals so far.

I want to make a top plate for my SPL box to see what it does in there as well just for kicks //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

PS: I made a mistake on my spec sheet for the factory... forgot to tell them to make the coils D4 so I got S8 coils... I have two 3000s strapped on it to get this power level //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Oh yah... and most importantly the driver sounds pretty darn good to. This test box is tuned low so I was able to get a feel for the sound a typical customer will experience and I am pleased with it.

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FURTHER TESTING:

178 volts / 9.5 amps clamped peak... 9.4 ohms per amp calculated... 1691 watts.

Can't get any more juice than that at 50 Hz in my SPL box. The woofer was NOT showing any signs of mechanical strain @ the 50 Hz burp frequency in this box -- the sub has more in it and, for that matter, should probably be in a smaller box as this is my 15" woofer SPL box //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif So I am very pleased with it.

145.2 dB score in the SPL box.

I kept playing it for a while at the same level... probably a few minutes. Still no issues with the sub.

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The top plate of the box has a gap under it as I used some neoprene foam as a gasket since it is just temporary.

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This is not really an SPL driver but I am abuse testing it as I always do with any new product Still pretty loud too, though!

The only changes that may be in order:

1) 10mm taller magnet stack to make bottoming the coil impossible.

2) Moving the back plate vent holes inward towards the pole.

Other than that I am very satisfied with the results.

 
In case I wasn't 100% clear earlier - all the testing was in the Jeep, we just borrowed the first box from the VW and I forgot to take a picture of it in the Jeep //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

1996 Cherokee 2 door, FYI.

 
Oh yah -- suggested MSRP on this driver will be $200 USD.

So it's not expensive by any means either //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 
Well, we are still working on an ETA for 12s //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif So I can't give you anything as far as 15s... really just depends on the economy.

The 12s will like ~1-1.25 sealed and 1.5-2 ported.

The 15s obviously larger than that - pretty typical enclosure requirements expected for this line.

 
i want one...maybe once i get my second job
You have time - we don't quite have an ETA on them yet so it'll be over 90 days before anyone gets them. I get excited at prototype time and like to share early on //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 
reminds me of an onyx sub I had a few years back. Nice simple design...looks good //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 
Thanks for the feedback guys //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

I am pretty excited about them. I have another prototype SA-12 to build - I requested one in just raw parts form. Once we get that one together I want to build a box for two for further musical testing with the intended amp of choice - the SAE-1200D.

 
I also drove home with it playing as wide open as I can really stand for long periods and it was just getting warm when I got to the house //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif Since I test with ear plugs in I sometimes forget just how loud over 140 dB is.

 
You have time - we don't quite have an ETA on them yet so it'll be over 90 days before anyone gets them. I get excited at prototype time and like to share early on //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif
hey i dont mean to thread jack but i recently sent you an email regarding a school project im working on...please check that.

 
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