thinking of upgrading from 12 inch rockford p3s to sundown sa12s, have some questions

[blkvenm97]

As the title states I am thinking of upgrading my p3s to some sundown sa12s. They seem very promising and there's a ton of buzz about them. I've read they're a solid woofer that gets loud easy and sounds good doing it which is what I want. One question I have is...well is this a worthwhile upgrade? Everywhere I look I see good things about these subs and bad things about rockford subs. I like my p3 they sound pretty good for what they are. They are in a custom built box by a local audio shops who is a rockford dealer and it is built to the specs of the p3s and has a 4 inch wide L slot port tuned to 33 hertz. I'm unsure as to the exact cubic feet but rockford calls for 1.79 cubic feet per sub and the enclosure measures 37x16x18 and based on comparing it to other enclosures I think its closer to 2 feet per sub but I can't say that for sure. Is there anyway to calculate the exact space? Also would this enclosure perform well with the sa12s? The recommendations for them is 1.75 to 2 cubes tuned at 35 but I hear they do really well tuned at 33 and can crush the lows which is important. Will they be able to perform very well in this enclosure and will they get louder and sound better than my p3s? I have a rockford t1000-1bdcp on the p3s now and that is what I will run on the sa12s...I also have another t1000-1bdcp I plan to use as well. The plan is to run one t1000 for break in time until I get an ho alt and second battery (I currently have 0 gauge big 3 as well as an xs power s3400 under hood) and after this I plan to run the other t1000 and have one on each of the sa12 as I've seen them take a lot of power. Gains will be set by my audio shop. I hear they can take this power easily so long as they're not clipped. I would really prefer to use the enclosure I already have to cut down on cost if you guys think it would work well with the sa12s and with my plans. I want spl so I wanna get loud but I wanna sound good doing it and I hear the sa12s fit the bill and also fit my budget. This is going into a 2003 svt focus hatchback. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm michael and I just joined the forum (although I've read a lot of stuff on this forum during my searches of google). Thanks a lot guys.

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[CSCStang]

P3's are the best Rockford has, but yeah I would say that's an upgrade man.

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

P3's are the best Rockford has, but yeah I would say that's an upgrade man.

Not even close bud P3 is the best ? From rf ? Yea. No. T2 t1 are way better than the p3 I doubt you'll much of a difference the box has a lot to do with your sound as well

 

[CSCStang]

Not even close bud P3 is the best ? From rf ? Yea. No. T2 t1 are way better than the p3 I doubt you'll much of a difference the box has a lot to do with your sound as well

Gotcha

 

[blkvenm97]

Yea I realize the enclosure has a lot to do with the sound but you don't think thered be a noticable difference? Is this enclosure size not ideal for the sa12? Seems like a close match to what's recommended and what others run. What if I got the sa12s and had an enclosure built for them? Big difference then? What about it wouldn't work well with an sa? Need more port or more space or what? I ask because everwhere I look people say the sa is much better than even the t1 let alone a p3 so it should be no contest as far as which is better. I've seen videos of them flexing stuff and they seem to do really well but its hard to tell from a video. Also everyone says the sa is easy to get loud and that its louder than a lot of other subs are. I noticed the efficiency is less than 85db which is what my p3s are so what is it that makes them loud? Sorry for all the questions I'm just curious on this. I understand bl and xmax also comes into play and those are much better on the sa statistically. Would it be moticably louder and better sounding if I switched to sa12s and had an enclosure built specifically for them? Id prefer to use my enclosure but I am willing to switch it out if need be I guess. the plan was to run d4 12s and run my t1000 at 1 ohm and when the electrical upgrades are down and I run the other both amps would be run at 2 ohm and they put out give or take 1500 watts according to the birthsheet. I know this is at 14.4 volts and even with electrical upgrades I'm lucky to see mid to high 13s on full tilt so id say were looking at a solid 1200-1300 or so watts rms going to each sub. Thanks for the responses

 

[CSCStang]

What are the box specs? Some c2 threatcons might work better in that box.

 

[blkvenm97]

I'm not sure of the exact specs. The outside measurements are 37x18x16 and I believe its 3/4 inch thick wood. The port measures 4 inches wide and it basically goes the entire height of the enclosure. One of the reasons I narrowed down to the sa12 from some other is because I thought it may work good in the box I already have. I have pics of it too if that would help. I have it subs up port up port on drivers side in the hatch of my 03 focus. I tried it subs back port back but it ended up being too close to the back wall and seemed to choke it off...it sounded ok but for whatever reason it hits harder and sounds cleaner subs up port up.

 

[blkvenm97]

 

[blkvenm97]

Not sure how to post pics so here is a link to a picture of the enclosure on my facebook

https://m.facebook.com/?_rdr#!/photo.php?fbid=613155872101696&id=100002218656203&set=a.242037642546856.59274.100002218656203&source=43

 

[blkvenm97]

The sundown website says 1.75 cubes for the sa 12 so that should be fairly close to what I'm working with and id say it would work well being tuned at 33 hertz so the only thing I can figure that wouldn't work well is the port area? If this wouldn't work with the sa12 then what do you guys recommmend for them? I like being tuned at 33 its a good all around tuning and hits the lows well. My p3s only have 15 mm of xmax and even they hit the lows fairly well in this enclosure I would assume the sa would be noticably better but please correct me if I am wrong. Also is there anyone who's went from p3 to the sa12? I've read reviews where people have went from even t1 to the sa12 and said they were blown away with the sa. There's also vids on youtube where people have made the p3 to sa12 switch and everyone always says its night and day difference and that the p3 isn't even in the same league as the sa12. I am very curious about these sundowns and would like to see what all the hype is about. They seem very solid. I would be willing to go with a new enclosure alltogether if it is a must in order to get the most out of them and obviously if this one just won't work well with them for whatever reason. If that is the case id just like to know why. Thanks again for the responses

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

Prolly won't notice much in the same box and power

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Prolly won't notice much in the same box and power

This. Box was made for p3s not sa12s. Save money for beefier electricals and more power.

 

[blkvenm97]

Ok if I got the sa12 and had a box made for them...would that be a noticable upgrade? I will also be upgrading electrical more either way. I have the second t1000 I'm going to run as well once electrical is sufficient so ill have 1 on each sub. Other subs I really like that are somewhat in my price range include fi ssd, ia lethal injections and re audio sxx v2. No matter which sub I get both will be run off its own t1000. Which would best fit my application? Sundown is least expensive of all and I really like them...open to suggestions

 

[fatboytyler]

Ok if I got the sa12 and had a box made for them...would that be a noticable upgrade? I will also be upgrading electrical more either way. I have the second t1000 I'm going to run as well once electrical is sufficient so ill have 1 on each sub. Other subs I really like that are somewhat in my price range include fi ssd, ia lethal injections and re audio sxx v2. No matter which sub I get both will be run off its own t1000. Which would best fit my application? Sundown is least expensive of all and I really like them...open to suggestions

Once you get the electrical, 2 SA-12s on a t1000 each in a box designed for them will absolutely slam. But only once you have the electrical and box.

 

[disturbed471985 5,000+ posts]

The FI SSD is a very nice sub in its own right... Sa's are nice also owned 4 sa8v2's and was somewhat impressed but I know many that run sa's and I have yet to hear a complaint about them.... To keep price down even more find someone with blown sa's and buy them cheap and just order recons for them.... Every penny saved helps...