Sundown : Revisiting Component Sets (Mid-Level)

[sundownz 197]

I did some early prototyping around this time last year on some mid-level sets and they were quite good, IMO... I decided to re-evaluate them a bit based on the listening I've had with them since that time.

I received the first early prototype of the new mid-level set a few days ago and I will be replacing the 2011 prototypes in my car with these soon.

The biggest change is the cone material... for a set like this that crosses over higher I prefer a paper base vs. the composite base (woven material) that the other set utilized.

The set is NOT done as I plan to modify the frame on the mid as well as the motor ventilation. There will be no fancy eye-candy to the set -- very basic cosmetically with as much focus on the actual sound as possible.

Once I finalize the details I will talk more about the pricing level on them. For the level of sound quality that I am shooting for it will be very fair.

Here are the photos of the early set :

* The crossovers use an "open tool" plastic housing but do offer some nice features; 12, 6, or full range slope on the mid LPF and also 0, -3, and -6 tweeter level adjustment. The grilles will remain a very basic model that offers good protection with little sonic interference.

* Fairly standard silk dome tweeter; no frills but a nice sounding unit that is not harsh.

* I really like this cone material... very smooth and natural sound.

* This basket and motor are not vented at all on this early set -- that will change for thermal and acoustic reasons.

* High quality spider with tight weave utilized

I will work on the packaging a little bit but I don't plan to make it super fancy and waste money where there is no performance gain to be had.

Once I feel the design is final I will be able to give an ETA -- as of now I cannot give one.

[Sencheezy 689]

[Notorious97200 339]

Sundown FTMFW !

[Impious 1,476]

for a set like this that crosses over higher

What are you looking at for xover point?

[ricksi30 923]

Awesome! Will these be available in different sizes or just 6.5?

[jonbearsmt 919]

any ball park of a price point? or did i miss that..

if i did im sorry... im going on 27 hours awake on 2 hours of sleep./

[ricksi30 923]

any ball park of a price point? or did i miss that..

if i did im sorry... im going on 27 hours awake on 2 hours of sleep./

This is the only thing I saw "Once I finalize the details I will talk more about the pricing level on them. For the level of sound quality that I am shooting for it will be very fair."

[jcarter1885 995]

Look nice Jacob, real nice

[kkk4 3]

change the basket

[///M5 2,833]

Curious what your purpose with the dual slopes is.

Btw, cone material makes more sense IMO.

[JPSWanberg 0]

Jacob, what is the tweeter material - plastic, metal cone or silk?

[jonbearsmt 919]

thanks rick, FML

[Kanaworm$ 292]

Subscribed!

I like the variable attenuation circuit on the tweeter output.

[sundownz 197]

Here is the frame I will be using on the set (cast aluminum) -- as I said initially this first prototype is mainly to test / verify the cone material performs like I want it to. This frame is only a few millimeters deeper than the stamped unit... total depth is going to be about ~66mm which is 2.59"

I am also thickening the back plate, doing some small motor modifications, and adding ventilation to the back plate as well to help relieve pressure / back-wave reflections and to keep coil temperatures down.

I'll be putting the initial set in my car shortly... then I will be getting the revised midranges as quickly as possible. Once I verify everything we should be ready to roll soon after on production assuming it all checks out in my testing.

Also... I expect MAP price from a dealer to come in under $200

[sundownz 197]

Curious what your purpose with the dual slopes is.

Btw, cone material makes more sense IMO.

Some people will prefer a shallower slope on the LPF -- just a bit of choice for the end user.

[sundownz 197]

Jacob, what is the tweeter material - plastic, metal cone or silk?

Silk

[sundownz 197]

for a set like this that crosses over higher

What are you looking at for xover point?

3800 Hz -- which I suppose isn't high per-se but not low either

[SeductiveSounds 0]

I'm in for an 8" Midbass, a 4" Midrange and tweeter....................................and go.

This is definitely a step in the right direction

[kkk4 3]

Here is the frame I will be using on the set (cast aluminum) -- as I said initially this first prototype is mainly to test / verify the cone material performs like I want it to. This frame is only a few millimeters deeper than the stamped unit... total depth is going to be about ~66mm which is 2.59"

I am also thickening the back plate, doing some small motor modifications, and adding ventilation to the back plate as well to help relieve pressure / back-wave reflections and to keep coil temperatures down.

I'll be putting the initial set in my car shortly... then I will be getting the revised midranges as quickly as possible. Once I verify everything we should be ready to roll soon after on production assuming it all checks out in my testing.

Also... I expect MAP price from a dealer to come in under $200

great! this is great!!!!!

[Impious 1,476]

for a set like this that crosses over higher

What are you looking at for xover point?

3800 Hz -- which I suppose isn't high per-se but not low either

That's pretty high for a 6.5" driver. Beaming will be pretty well in affect at that point, which considering these are primarily mounted off-axis in a door I'd be a little worried about a hole in the midrange response.

Have you measured the FR in a typical installation from the listening position yet?

[sundownz 197]

I think it will work out pretty well -- we will be doing some measurements once I get them put into my car.

[emh9009 199]

Pretty sweet looking basket. Everyone will want a set

[sundownz 197]

Making some progress on the finalized mid... the cone material turned out great on the first sample so we've moved onto the rest of the details :

* Cone mounted on the new frame

* Side view with the cast frame

* Gap venting implemented... the finish is NOT final it is only for sampling.

* The final finish will be smooth with chrome plating... will look VERY nice and also will be very corrosion resistant.

[onebadmonte 235]

Looking good.

[Kanaworm$ 292]

I cannot wait for these to be released! They look great!