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stratusrt01

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Everything posted by stratusrt01

  1. stratusrt01

    Initial SPL 12 SPL testing

    Sorry for the delay on responses, I've been tied up lately with some business. I would agree that this sub has more potential than my numbers show. It wasn't designed to be an end-all, be all for the SPL testing, I just wanted a fair comparison to other subwoofers. I may actually continue on with my quest for max SPL out of this thing after testing is over. In a true SPL setup, I'm quite sure on the power I have at my disposal, a 150 is completely achievable. To answer the questions on how it sound musically, I was very surprised. It actually sounds decent, and that's hard to get out of an SPL based sub with a fairly high Fs and 2500rms rating. In the box tuned to 40hz, it really didn't have many problems hitting whatever I threw at it, although my subsonic filter was set around 32ish hz. Round 2 begins this week, since I have some time off finally, and we'll give it another go.
  2. stratusrt01

    Initial SPL 12 SPL testing

    1st round was done in my Stratus, in a 2.5 cubic ft. box, tuned to 40hz. Burp freq was 44hz for all subs, they all peaked at the same freq in my car, just like every other subwoofer that's been in there. Here's the average numbers for each sub. I'm compiling a spreadsheet with every test individually tonight, when I finish testing. 1st test on a single SAZ-3000d, 300 amp alternator, Stinger 2150 battery, all run at 1 ohm, except for the DD 9512, which was done at .5 ohms, due to coil configuration on the only one I could get for this weekend. 5 burps were done on each sub, given appropriate cooldown in between burps. RE MT - 146.4 SPL 12 - 146.4 DD 9512 - 146.3 IA DP - 145.9 2nd test was on a single SAZ-3000d, starting voltage at 17.7v, dropping to an average of 14.3v. Same enclosure, same freq, same vehicle. 4 8V batteries were used to provide power. Clamped at 4998 watts for this test, so we'll call it a 5k watt test. RE MT - 148.3 DD 9512 - 148.2 SPL 12 - 148.2 IA DP - Test did not finish due to sub reaching it's mechanical limits. Testing remaining is to try a 3.5 cubic ft box, which I've heard the SPL 12 likes a lot. We'll get that accomplished tonight hopefully. If I don't feel it can be completed tonight, I'll hold all testing until Tuesday on all subs, so that conditions are exactly the same, and accurate results can be posted. Now for my opinions on the testing that the numbers don't show. On 3k watts, all subs handled the power with no problems. During the listening tests on 3k, some major differences appeared however. The MT and SPL 12 played just fine, both sounded good, and would hit any note thrown at it, even tuned at 40 hz. Both had minimal to no mechanical noise, and sounded as good as I can expect an SPL sub to sound. However, the DD's were very mechanical sounding, and while still loud, they really sounded the same on every note, no major tonal differences. The DP on 3k on music was pushing it, however it didn't get dangerously hot until after about 14 minutes of play time. However, on low notes, it just wasn't happy tuned to 40hz compared to the rest for music. On 5k watt burp testing, the MT and DD were at their wits end at 44hz. I wouldn't have wanted to go up too much more on these subs, considering they are not mine. The SPL 12 seemed to handle this power level the easiest at my burp frequency, which is impressive, given the range of subwoofers. The DP upon the 3rd burp at this power level started making some nasty mechanical noise, so testing was halted on it, and it will not be included in the 65hz testing tonight or Tuesday. I don't know if I just took it past it's limits, or it's possible that it was a freak accident, which isn't normal from the sub's behavior. When I had my DP, I never took it above 3k watts, so I just don't know, we'll see what happened when I cut the sub apart later this evening or tomorrow.
  3. stratusrt01

    Initial SPL 12 SPL testing

    I think a SAZ 3000d @ 17.7v is about as real as it's going to get, 5k on a 12" sub is Gorilla Pimpin A real spl environment doesnt mean tons of power, it means in an spl built box, in an spl car. 146db-148db off 5000 watts isnt a real spl environment. Its loud yes but it should be WAYYYYYYYYYY louder. Its impressive that the sub took it, id just like to see what its FULL potential is in a burp mobile specifically built for this sub. It shouldn't be WAYYYYYYYYY louder, given the circumstances. This was done in a trunk car, seats up, sealed on the dash. This happens to be the rules in the class I compete in NSPL. For the car and situation, the scores are most impressive. For example, the loudest that's been done in my class is a 153.0, which was a pair of 15's on 4 Stetsom 2K6's..... Kind of puts it in a different light, huh? If you would like, I will put it in my truck, where the frequency is 68hz, and let it rip a few times. The numbers will be up, yes, but my car is more of a stable platform, the freq stays the same, and it reliably puts up good numbers out of the trunk. no it doesnt put it in a different light, and im not saying he's not a real spl competitor. Im also a competitor, with a trunk car. But what do i know right? I didnt goto db drag finals and compete in street A in 07. No i know absolutly nothing lol. Come guys, theres no insults here i just wanna see what this subwoofer is capable of in an install thats completly built and proven. Next time im testing ill try it with the seats up and see what number i can do, mind you have half the power he's running. But we'll see, any chance you can do some tests with the seats down, you know db drag style? How do you have half the power with an Atomic 5k?
  4. stratusrt01

    Initial SPL 12 SPL testing

    The SPL 12 took 5k burps with no problem at all. I can do burps with the seats down, but it would probably change my tuning frequency, I'd have to check that out. I just never really meter with the seats down, since it's not allowed in my class, you know you do what you get used to. I have done it in the past a couple times, and was 1.4db louder with no testing to see if my frequency changed, so I would expect similar results. That's sealed up, on the dash also. I know some people around here want to compare Outlaw style numbers to mine, but it's not possible, these were all sealed up on the dash, DB Drag and NSPL legal. This test wasn't setup to get the SPL 12 the loudest it could, it was supposed to be a fair comparison to some known SPL subwoofers. I'm sure I could get it louder with testing, but I've got a new project working, and don't really have the interest in making the Stratus loud as possible again, I'm loving listening to anything I want without changing the EQ or subwoofer level settings.
  5. stratusrt01

    Initial SPL 12 SPL testing

    I think a SAZ 3000d @ 17.7v is about as real as it's going to get, 5k on a 12" sub is Gorilla Pimpin A real spl environment doesnt mean tons of power, it means in an spl built box, in an spl car. 146db-148db off 5000 watts isnt a real spl environment. Its loud yes but it should be WAYYYYYYYYYY louder. Its impressive that the sub took it, id just like to see what its FULL potential is in a burp mobile specifically built for this sub. It shouldn't be WAYYYYYYYYY louder, given the circumstances. This was done in a trunk car, seats up, sealed on the dash. This happens to be the rules in the class I compete in NSPL. For the car and situation, the scores are most impressive. For example, the loudest that's been done in my class is a 153.0, which was a pair of 15's on 4 Stetsom 2K6's..... Kind of puts it in a different light, huh? If you would like, I will put it in my truck, where the frequency is 68hz, and let it rip a few times. The numbers will be up, yes, but my car is more of a stable platform, the freq stays the same, and it reliably puts up good numbers out of the trunk.
  6. stratusrt01

    Initial SPL 12 SPL testing

    It was done for this one as well, I'm just still compiling data into a spreadsheet with all the information.
  7. stratusrt01

    Help me purchase DD 9512g

    If you don't have a dealer close to you, DD will sell them to you direct. www.ddaudio.com
  8. stratusrt01

    Initial SPL 12 SPL testing

    www.mach5audio.com I could use 2 amps on 17.7v, however, I think all of the subs will suffer from power compression badly on 10k watts, which will make the results all over the place.
  9. stratusrt01

    Initial SPL 12 SPL testing

    My car has a huge peak at 44hz, no matter what the enclosure or subwoofer is. With the pair of SD-1 10's, 44hz. With the Magnum, 44hz, with the DD 9510's, 44hz. It never changes, no matter what I put in there, it's just the nature of my vehicle, I assume. I'm sure each of the subs could have seen a few more tenths, if I had the time to test and tune each one, and build 3 or 4 boxes for each one, there's no question about that. This test was just to show the potential of the Mach 5 SPL 12 as compared to the other "big boy" SPL subs on the market. Honestly, I expected there to be a larger gap between all the subs, but it just didn't happen that way, for whatever reason. The reason I began with a simple 2.5 cubic ft box, tuned to 40hz, is because 90% of the time, 2.5 works well for all 12" subs, maybe not optimal, but works well. I figured that 2.5 cubic ft at 40hz would be a good base, just to show the capabilities. This doesn't mean with proper testing, you couldn't get much better numbers with any of the subs, and that one sub might be better in certain situations than the others. I tried to remove those variables as much as possible. Personally, I believe that any of these subs are winners. Pick the one you want to work with and go with it. However, now I see the Mach 5 as an equal to the MT and 9500, where before I saw it as a budget SPL sub, good for someone who couldn't afford an MT or 9500. Now I would buy the SPL 12 in the same regards, after seeing it perform.
  10. stratusrt01

    Initial SPL 12 SPL testing

    You're talking about music though, this is burps only, a totally different animal.
  11. stratusrt01

    Initial SPL 12 SPL testing

    The place I work at is a DD dealer, and I'll tell you they only work in that small of a box well if the burp frequency is high, which mine isn't. I could try them out in a smaller box though, but the numbers would more than likely go down for all subs.
  12. stratusrt01

    Initial SPL 12 SPL testing

    The only upgrades would be composite cone and carbon fiber cap. The composite doesn't even really make a difference on the 12's SPL numbers until you get well over the power we were testing at, and at higher frequencies. It also had an advantage, being dual 1, when the other subs were dual 2 ohm.
  13. stratusrt01

    Initial SPL 12 SPL testing

    No, they were not in order at all, we were mixing and matching all day. And the batteries were recharged fully and rested in between each run. Remember, this is 2 full day's work to post the numbers listed here.
  14. stratusrt01

    Initial SPL 12 SPL testing

    You crack me up sometimes man. There's no pole vent on one of the other subwoofers also.......lol
  15. stratusrt01

    Initial SPL 12 impressions

    I was sent a Mach 5 SPL 12 to test. I recieved it today and checked it out really well as far as build quality and design. My 1st impression when I opened the cardboard box was hmmmmmm, a crate. I didn't know they came in crates, which caught me off guard at first. While I like the way the crate looks, it really didn't protect the subwoofer any better than a box with foam padding. Upon opening the crate, the foam was in tact, but the wood was busted up pretty badly, however, the subwoofer sustained no damage as far as I can tell, so it did it's job. Now for the good things I noticed upon initial inspection: o Glue joints are flawless, there's no excess glue anywhere on the subwoofer. A+ for attention to details. o The subwoofer is much nicer in person than in pictures, the pictures don't do it any justice. o I love the way the dustcap is built, it would make centering the dustcap during recones a no-brainer. It has to go on centered, it has no choice. o The subwoofer uses sewn on tensiles which I've always liked more than standard, or woven in. o The gasket is probably the best fitting gasket I've seen on an SPL oriented subwoofer in quite some time. It fits the woofer perfectly with no gaps around the surround, all the holes line up perfectly, and it fits flat on the woofer, so sealing the sub with the supplied gasket shouldn't be an issue at all. Now for the things I didn't care for very much: o A picky thing, but there's some misalignment of the magnets in the motor structure. At first I thought it may be damage from shipping, but upon closer inspection, it seems that they just used one magnet that was about 1/16th of an inch larger in diameter in the stack. I know, I know, 1/16th is nothing, but it's perfect on one side, and sticks out on the other. I told you it was a nit-picking thing. Doesn't affect the sub at all, just a visual thing. Here's a picture of the side where it's not perfect: And here's the side 180 degrees around: Now, my biggest complaint about the Mach 5 Audio SPL 12................. The speaker wire connectors.... At first glance, they seem like a good idea, thumb screw connectors, but upon playing with them, they are a little hard to turn, and if you've got fat fingers like I do, getting in there to turn them is a problem. If you've got little girly hands, you'll be fine though... Once the speaker wire goes in them, it gets even a bit tougher. That would be my only suggestion on what to change so far on the sub build-wise. So my 1st impression is that build quality is as good or better than other subs in the same class so far. I plan on hooking it up this weekend to a Sundown SAZ-3000d and riding around for about a week to do my subjective listening. I know it's an SPL sub, but most people who buy them want to listen to music, not just burp them, so I'm going to compare them to my DD 9512 and IA DP as far as musical ability. After I feel comfortable that I can give a good, unbiased review on the musical abilities, the fun starts. We're going to hook it up in the truck, and just keep feeding it power and do some SPL testing vs. the DD 9512. We'll push it as far as I feel comfortable with. I don't want to purposely blow up either sub, but have been given the green light to see exactly what she'll take, so I'll do that.
  16. stratusrt01

    SPECIAL SAX-100.2 OFFER

    I love the 100.2, we hit 138.0 with one with a pair of 8's on the meter. May not be the biggest, but it's the most bang for the buck amp out there.
  17. stratusrt01

    Lets talk about

    when I did IASCA years ago, they gave you points based on how flat your response curve was on the RTA. There was an actual set guideline, but it's been too long to remember it now. Then they gave you points based on the subjective listening by the judge where they checked imaging, etc. It may have changed in the past 15 years, but that's how they used to do it.
  18. stratusrt01

    Nightshade Videos

    Just took a few videos, will post them as the finish uploading: Here's the first one:
  19. stratusrt01

    Nightshade Videos

    This was a little different man. You can't see what I can. I wish I had robot eyes like you...damn How much damping material is going on the roof?? With that sound and flex I would brace it with a sheet of 3/4" MDF lol I actually thought about that, but I think we're going to reattach the cross braces first, and try 3-4 layers of Cascade V-Block Pro and see how it does. It actually sounds like you're moving large sheets of aluminum sheeting when the bass hits, and you can watch it ripple, so he's got to do something with it.
  20. stratusrt01

    Time for a change

    Who cares what anyone else does or thinks, do what makes you happy and don't worry about the other guy's views. Pure SPL is high powered fart machines that couldn't reproduce music at any cost.. 3-5 seconds of satisfaction, sounds a lot like my sex life..... SQ is boring and expensive with little or no satisfaction after you leave a show. j/k, but if you think about it, that's the common views by the other crowd. I did things backwards from most nowadays. I started in IASCA in 1988, in 0-50 watt class, and there was no SPL competition. 130db on the old AC was all you needed to max out. Now I'm building the all out Fart Monster that won't play music. But the true fun is in between, loud street beaters and bassracers. (as long as it's before dark, at dark, I want it quiet)
  21. stratusrt01

    Nightshade Videos

    nope, that's the truck's owner. I'm an old bald bastard.
  22. stratusrt01

    Nightshade Videos

    I love the con artist comments, really. I told everyone the situation, I'll make it right ASAP. As soon as I get paid, he gets paid.
  23. stratusrt01

    Nightshade Videos

    Nah, we're waiting on sound deadening, and the woofers to break in a little more before we meter it. They're still stiff as a rock.
  24. stratusrt01

    Initial SPL 12 impressions

    I haven't done a comparison to the 12" Nightshade yet, but my suspicions would be that the Mach 5 would be a hair louder on the meter, but the Nightshades seem to sound better. But again, that's just speculation.
  25. stratusrt01

    Sundown Flex Video

    And I know it sounds like a woofer's blown at the end, but it's just the rear panel in the car vibrating. I kind of freaked out when I opened the trunk also, until I figured out what it was.
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