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It's been awhile but here's some progress:

Here's the current setup (NVX VCW 12) with the amp I'll be recycling for the new sub/box. Also did a quick connection so when we need more space I can remove the entire setup in about 3 seconds.

Not done yet

enjoy 1-270amp, 2-370amp

Here’s a pic of the truck

I will say more when closer and all details finalized, but simply my goal was to improve on the Gcon. Well, that is not quite what happened. As I believe it was @altoncustomtech who figured out early on that the previous Gcon was a different take on the original Icon. It was essentially a 90% Gen 1 Icon, just with a different name, keeping in mind our last Icon was about a 150% Gen 1 Icon. That being said, the Gcon was one of our all time best selling subs as it sat right in the sweet spot of performance and price and that people really just loved it, it was a perfect pairing to the Icon at the time and had a great run. a very straight forward design that landed just right. Sadly, we didn't make profit off of the Gcon. It was a break even effort at best. Many who have not run a business don't realize how much is taken out of a mark up on a product when it comes to shipping, taxes, fees, materials, overhead, customer service, marketing, monthly expenses just to keep the websites running, in addition to all the fees taken from each order for transactions etc. etc. No one really knew, but all this time the Gcon (and Dcon for that matter) were kind of a labor of love. We held on to both models here in the USA as long as we could. We were very lucky to have that level of subwoofer still made in the USA. But sadly, it was a poor money move to keep the Dcon and Gcon made in the USA. The market is in a massive race to zero and too many people who have no real background in audio, or experience in it, or have any respect for it, and are seeing it as a quick money opportunity. I just deleted a long rant, but the race to zero is responsible for the downturn in the USA production, which effectively put an end to the Dcon, Gcon, and... well.... Each one of these models you become attached to as they have been apart of your life for a long time and they start to feel like players on my soccer teams I coach. It's very tough to lose one. Again, I have rambled on too much. Back on point, the goal was to build upon the much loved Gcon and make it be a smart business move for once. As I said above, that is not quite what happened. The pile of missed on prototypes at my place is getting nuts, and no, not selling them. Anyway, on paper and by ear, prototyping started out ok. Wasn't super happy with the low end extension and it was missing that warmth and smoothness across the range that has always been a signature to our subs (including the little brute F8L). But wow, did that one peak so much harder than planned, if I was ever to go back and do a modestly priced numbers sub that can play daily, I have one in the kitty. Moving on, a few parts changed, motor design changed, coil adjustments etc. Didn't like the specs. Got some outside help from an ole friend in VA who has had a long history with us and built a lot of our stuff, and things changed again. Motor really gained some size, surround larger, different cooling, longer coil. I am sure you can gather by now what had happened. All the while my goal was to remake and release a Gcon replacement. This had surpassed that somewhere in the middle of the process as I think I got a little carried away. As we have been running with this alphanumeric system of naming (outside of the Evil of course), and I felt it had gone well past the "G" slot in the line up. So "H" names started getting tossed around, my favorite was Hades (greek mythology, god of the underworld, from the depths below, riches from the soil, also called Pluto (my pups name)), this thing is a stout 3" coil sub, 12-spoke etc. all traits shared with Gcon and Icon for example, so you can see how fitting the Hades name is, we also considered putting it in the F8L line, but it just doesn't fit and is not related to the F8L at all. It was some work to launch a new model name in the F8L, luckily the name was just right and people have loved it right from the get go. (More are on the way before anyone asks). While all of this was happening, we held out hope for another missing model to return made here in the USA. After a long lay off of production of subwoofers when at one time, we only had the F8L available (very scary to think about looking back), the Xcon, Zcon, Evil were all overhauled and a new halo sub was introduced, the Team Evil. I am sure, based on the sheer amount of questions I continue to get, that many have noticed the Icon didn't return with its bigger brothers. During this time, there was a little effort to try to redesign the Icon to build upon the existing model while still being an Icon and still making it worth the time for both us and our build house. When I was just out at CES, I spent some time at our build house and tried to hash out a feasible option to make the Icon work here in the USA. No luck. With the capabilities of the build house and the money we don't have, it was looking not so good. With my internal designation of "Gcon replacement" (ala Porsche 996, and knowing it couldn't be called Gcon due to so many changes), we decided to award this with the SSA Icon name! Our longest running model name, 11 years now. I could not let the Icon go away, it is a fixture of SSA and has been the heart of the line up since day 1. What we have in production now is a very stout, heavy abuse tested, smooth response, warm low end sub that takes rated power with great ease. I prefers slightly smaller boxes than that of the older versions, in addition it is a pinch more numbers friendly. We are keeping the rating at 1250w rms. If you want an easy way to get to know this new model, think of it as a slightly smaller version of the NEW Xcon, more so than a tuned up older Icon. As for my comment above about merging two model lines, well, that might be confusing. The internal designation of Dcon replacement had a similar road. But, I think it will possibly be the merging of what was the Dcon and Gcon slots, but we will see. I will get more into that later, as the prototyping stage is done, now it is onto get the funding. I do apologize for not releasing more info sooner, but so much was influx and impossible to give concrete news until now and I have so many projects in the works at once. Due to funding limitations, the Icon is returning in a 12" size first, then followed by 10's and 15's depending on demand and funding. Hopefully that all makes sense and is good news.

I think wood dye is my new favorite thing to play with. I LOVE this color! And it'll be shining bright with 3 coats of poly on it!

For the price I give these 5 stars and for an audiophile tweeter I would give them at least 4 stars. Doing mild tuning still and these just get better and better with mild boosts and cuts (.2 db here and there) crossed over at 3750 Hz in kick panels powered off 2 channels of a Zapco Z-150.6. Brings up 20k and does not fluster and is EXTREMELY tunable. I have had SEVERAL other tweeters from Hertz, CDT, Image Dynamics and so far these are the best.

A new side project we have had going for a few months now on the side. At this time, they will only come in our SSA Testarossa red and come fully loaded options wise, as these are meant to be premium units. They have Japanese Koyo bearings for super long life, as well as 6 phase hairpin stators. Some will have billet cases, all will have a machined pulley cover. As of now, the SSA Testarossa's have been selling via word of mouth and at a killer intro period pricing. The first SSA Testarossa is in our family RX330 and has been going really strong since day one. 370 amps. Here are two of the first 25 models:

Welcome to the very first 8” sub worthy to wear the SSA logo. A decade of reknown SSA signature sound that is pure, warm, and precise, while having tremendous output that is now finally availble in the new SSA F8L 8” sub. (Pronounced “Fatal”) Vicious in looks, and pure beef in build, the all new SSA F8L 8” sub is an absolutle tank just like every other SSA sub, but finally in a compact package. Conservatively ratted at 650 watts, right off the bat, you can tell the SSA F8L means business. For the serious mechanical side of the design, the SSA F8L employs a very powerful motor with dual high strength Y35-140 oz magnets protected by a motor boot, yet the inductance is kept in check as the F8L touts a full aluminum shorting ring. To handle some serious power, the 4-layer copper coil is a 2.5” round wire that is 45.9mm high. Keeping everything under control for a wide array of conditions, is a pair of Nomex spiders and a dual layer high roll foam surround. As with all SSA subs, the SSA F8L has a non-pressed pulp paper cone. The large spring loaded push terminals make wiring up easy and quick, while the high tinsel count leads can carry plenty of power to the copper coil. For durable and consistent performance for years to come, the SSA F8L was designed to stay cool under the harsh daily abuse. With cooling spacers allowing extra air flow to the coil and motor, and a vented Aluminum former, you will never have to sweat the thermal limits. Doesn't matter if you are doing an arsenal of subs or a single sub for adding some clean and powerful bass in a small space, the SSA F8L will most certainly get it done. Port this little monster and send it some clean power and you will be hard pressed to hide an evil smile. With out question, SSA F8L is a killer choice in the world of the high end 8” subwoofers. Features: Rms: 650W Cone: non-pressed paper cone with wide roll foam surround Former: vented Aluminum former Voice coil: 2.5inch- 4layers high temperature round wire copper coil with 45.9mm widing height Motor: Y35-140Oz magnets with Aluminum Shorting (Faraday) ring and motor boot Spider: Dual Nomex Spring-loaded Push Terminals Attached high tinsel count leads Cooling spacers Dual 4 ohm Specifications: Fs: 32.1hz Re: 4ohm Qms: 4.31 Qes: 0.27 Qts: 0.25 Rms: 6.7 kg/s Cms: 0.17 mm/N Mms: 143.5 gr Bl: 20.8 N/A SPL: 82.6 db Vas: 9.7 L Rp: 57.0 ohm Lp: 70.0 mH Cp: 496.4 uF Le: 3.16 mH Sd: 201.93cm² Box recommendation: 0.55 cubes @ 31hz (after displacement) Mounting Depth: 6.5"

I have not built anything out of the norm worth posting in a while.... how many single 12" box builds does one post ?? this ones slightly different...a quad of GB 10D4's.... my first run in with Audiofrog and starting with 2.25cf3 tuned at 30hz with a 7% port velocity per chamber no cosmetics until the subs are broken in and I'm happy with the tuning

Still need to install the door and button everything up, but here is with the grout and sealer done! woot woot.

Updates will come slowly. New SSA amps going in and the sundowns are coming out. I am also adding and xstatic batcap 400 along with the battery already there. Little progress today. As you can see the footprint difference a good amount.

A lot has been said, but don't forget about connections. Poor connections are the number one source of heat due to increased resistance. This can be as simple as a loose screw, poorly crimped terminal, or a bad solder joint. Always use the proper tools and techniques and re-check your connections often. Keep in mind, you have so many dissimilar metals and this is THE recipe for corrosion.

Hey guys manzkea back at it again! Lol. Finally got some equipment in. Excited to finally get this project I’ve had in mind for a while rolling . Gonna attempt a blow through in my single cab 2001 ford ranger long bed. Gonna make pods for the doors to house the 6.5s and replace the stock one with a 6.5 or if possible an 8” driver. All powered off the ssa ic150.4. As for subs I’ll be using a 15” sp4 v2 I got from a friend for a deal. A taramps 5k will be used to push it. Unfortunately the evil mids I wanted was unavailable in 4ohms. So I went with these prvs. Well I’ll I’ll be updating this as I get it going. Possibly next week or so, really busy with work at the moment. Well here’s a pic of some goodies the mail man dropped off. Cheee. Btw got something extra special in those two ssa looking boxes behind the ranger gear. But that’s on the back burner at the moment.

When the F8L 8" subwoofer first was announced, I knew I had to try one right away. I asked my good friend Bruce (wrench guy) for some help building this enclosure. We went with the recommendations that SSA lists on the website: 0.55 cubes @ 31hz (after displacement) Mounting Depth: 6.5" The plan was for this box to be able to be moved from vehicle to vehicle for testing purposes. I would also like to bring it inside and hooked up to my home stereo for music purposes. So the boxed had to be light (birch) and is painted with bed liner material for durability.

Well, The Fi came in, so it's time to start a build log. Will continue with pictures of the enclosure as it progresses (might not be for another week or two with Christmas parties and stuff coming up). Rundown of what the system will consist of: Fi Alpha V2 15 D4, BP plug, Carbon dust cap Alpine MRX-M100 running at 2 ohms Factory radio with a Scosche LOC Ported box with viewing window, SPL dust, and custom fabrication like you've never seen.

Box is 51” wide 17” deep back height I pushed 6 1/4 and the front is 11”. I was having the hardest time with the port. I really was shooting for 15 square inches. But it just wouldn’t work. So I opted to shrink it to about 12 in per cube. After displacement it it comes out to 2.5 tunes to 33hz.

Box is pretty much done.....waiting on the woofer!

Adding a second battery in the rear.

We are very close to releasing an all new ZCON! #ArriveLoud http://www.SSAudio.com

Short run sale on the SSA amps. $100 off per amp. Just use the coupon code at check out: "SSAFriendsandFamilyamps" SSA IC150.4: http://store.soundsolutionsaudio.com/products/ssa-ic150-4-600w-4-channel-amplifier.html SSA IC2200.1: http://store.soundsolutionsaudio.com/products/ssa-ic2200-1-2200w-mono-block-amplifier.html Runs through 9/29/17

The tweeters are heavy, they look nice. You want to touch them, like a high end product. Congratulations. Smooth, accurate, more musical than my old Focal tn52. I'm still listening to those new SSA tweets with a good smile on my face !