sundownz

Either surround allows the driver to exceed it's linear x-max by BL (70% BL)

Built up an X-10 with the Standard Roll "SPL" style surround and did a quick video today. Fs is increased to ~46 Hz compared to ~28 Hz stock -- this is similar to the Z v.3 series 12s.

I wouldn't go as far as saying SOON but I'll be working hard on it

Woops... brain fart it's actually only 5mm total shallower -- too many protos on the mind! Still a small reduction Took a photo side by side to show the surround difference too:

Got my first prototypes in for the v.3 revision of the SA-8 -- it took quite a bit of consideration to figure out how to make some improvements to the design but I think we are on the right track : * Newly tooled surround with an improved shape / slightly bigger overall size... this is a new shape I have been testing with for a while that is a bit more linear than the old shape. It allows a small but noticeable amount of extra throw. * We removed the vent ring to reduce the total depth by 10mm -- since this reduces the cooling capability a bit we added gap vents (next photo). I did use appropriately sized drilled vent holes to maintain a degree of pressure in the under-spider cavity to help push air to the gap vents and keep velocity high. I tweaked and tuned the vent hole size on the SD-2 8" model already. * A second but major benefit is this will help improve QC pass rates by reduced spider to top plate distance; thus reducing the chance for coil tick (fewer yard sale units thus steadier inventory). * The magnet stack increased to 50mm from 40mm -- and we reduced the back plate from 25mm to 15mm (removed the 10mm bump) to keep overall motor depth the same. A marginal increase in BL will be seen. * New magnet boot isn't tooled yet but will be for production. * It's a tight fit in this motor due to the thick shorting ring... to get the surface area I wanted I used 16 gap vents @ 2.5mm each as wider vents wouldn't fit between the pole and shorting ring. Also each vent is flared to keep the flow quieter. ---------- There are a few other tweaks to the way the suspension goes together, standard XL leads, and a few other little tricks in the motor that you cannot see -- all in all should be a nice little upgrade to the SA-8 driver. I still need to tweak the stiffness a bit as it ended up a bit too stiff on the first two prototypes... so that is still under-way. I expect them to come out some time around the end of the 1st quarter next year (so end of March or so). Until then the v.2 will be in full stock and shipping as normal.

Some photos mocked up to a TEAM motor along with the bolt pattern adapter in place: In the future bigger motors will have the bigger 8-bolt pattern on them in addition to the 127mm pattern; so we'll only need to use the adapter on 3" coil motors. But the adapter ensures we can mate this frame up to any of our existing motors on the market.

The tool is done and the very first unit rolled out of the mold yesterday. I will have a sample to play with next week !!! This one is currently patent pending (our 8, 10, 12, and 15 are already patented) -- ETA for full stock will be Jan-Feb of 2015. This frame is ~8.3" tall, supports 6" p-p excursion, and up to a 12" spider (also have 10" and 9.25" landings)... it weighs in at 10-11 lbs (I'll weigh it myself when it gets here). I will finally be comfortable making TEAM 18s at that point. The main bolt pattern is a new, bigger pattern for coils larger than 4" in diameter. For all current designs we have a cast aluminum adapter piece that attaches to the base for a standard 127mm bolt pattern. All current products will still use a 10" spider and current surround sizes -- future motors that support the additional throw allowed by the basket will move up to the 12" spider landing at that time and will also receive a newly tooled surround to mate up to that (no ETA to announce yet for that). Anyway... it's been a long time coming; enjoy the photos!

They will definitely NOT handle more power / abuse than the SD-2 models -- the suspension is much softer. They will sound better and get lower in sealed boxes than the SD-2s -- by a good margin. I will be starting production on the 10s shortly... 90-days or so after that.

Enjoy !

I put in the $699 on behalf of our raffle winner, Erik Hrinishin, today -- since he graciously wanted to donate his prize winnings back into the MS Ride fund raiser!

http://www.caraudioclassifieds.org/forum/sundown-audio/166968-sundown-new-platform-spl-parts-production-started.html Originally posted back in March on CACO when I started testing. A better name for the new surround is "Standard Roll" as it certainly isn't just for SPL -- we'll likely start calling it that instead to avoid confusion Either way -- they are now fully in stock and can be ordered on new X, Z v.4, NS v.3, and TEAM drivers and also on re-cones for any of these drivers (TEAM already uses it's own spider; so those aren't compatible with the TEAM). -------------------- Hey guys, Some of you may remember -- or you may not remember -- that I have been planning SPL parts for the new "platform" all along. I have had them designed for some time but I had to get at least a somewhat solid footing with the "stock" models before going down this road as well -- after all; the stock woofers really show off the platforms ability to move like crazy and dig down deep into the low frequencies. That being said -- lets re-introduce the SPL parts. They can be used on the X, Z v.4, NS v.3, or any other driver built with our new frames. ----- 1) New heavy duty "stackable" SPL spiders... same material and similar geometry to the NS v.1 / v.2 spiders but available in all of the new larger sizes. There are several advantages to these for SPL applications. * They are lighter. The spider "packs" on stock woofers require more layers for a givens stiffness and the layers are all permanently adhered together over their entire surface area with a flexible adhesive. The extra spider material and the adhesive both have mass. * They are more consistent over time and temperature range in terms of their stiffness. The "packs" can change FS a bit based on heat or cold as the bonding adhesive will loosen up or stiffen based on temperature. * They tighten up more over stroke. This leads to the desirable climb in FS over stroke for SPL applications. It also gives a more "traditional" sound for those that may not like the ultra linear sound of the new drivers. * There is more adjust-ability as we can stack however many or however few you want. ----- 2) New cone bodies impregnated with more fiberglass for additional strength (minimal mass difference) combined with much smaller "high profile" surrounds. So they are a bit stronger; which all of the new cones are already geometrically very strong due to how deep they are anyway. The BIGGEST difference is that our massive surrounds are heavy -- they are the single heaviest part in our moving assembly. So these surrounds will shave off MMS to get your FS up. The secondary difference is that this profile is a little less linear -- it is based on the Z v.3 18" surround shape; this shape tightens more over stroke than a normal half-roll or even our "mega-roll" surrounds. In SPL this extra tightening helps raise FS over stroke. In our Terra the Z v.3 cone/surround was always MUCH louder than a half-roll due to this fact. As mentioned with the spiders... this surround will lend itself to a more "traditional" sound as well -- making the new platform drivers sound more like a Z v.3 or other driver in that class. These are obviously not capable of FULLY utilizing our new frames full capacity but using my conservative calculations they are good for anywhere from 3 to 3.5" p-p reliably depending on the size. They are still pretty big surrounds so they can work reliably with the big spider packs just not as dramatic as our "mega roll" surrounds. Z v.3 18" surround is 26mm x 25mm -- which most people are familiar with and it's a very capable design. New SPL 10" = 30mm x 28.85mm New SPL 12" = 33mm x 31.75mm New SPL 15" = 35mm x 33.5mm New SPL 18" = 35mm x 33.5mm The 15" and 18" offer the same surround size just like the "mega rolls" since they use the same spider size. ----- So basically we are going to shift the response upward in static T/S terms by reducing mass and increasing stiffness -- and also shift it upwards even further over stroke by using parts that tighten up more as they get moving. You can also choose to use the SPL Cone with standard spiders... or the SPL spiders with the standard "mega roll" cones as well. So many options! -------------------- ** 10 Inch SPL Roll vs. Mega-Roll ** 12 Inch SPL Roll vs. Mega-Roll ** 15 Inch SPL Roll vs. Mega-Roll ** 18 Inch SPL Roll vs. Mega-Roll ** "SPL" Spiders -- these are like extra large NS v.1/v.2 Spiders

Did the final Outlaw test of the day and hit my estimate : Derrick took a video of this run as well :

** Score on the right is legal score with more power; seems like it may be tapped out now... but will try a little more later. ** This is what we dropped in for testing; basically battery limited now.

Tweaked it a little more -- this is going to be it without getting a "real" power setup in here. Seeing ~11.1v at the amp terminals so not going to get more juice as it sits. May drop in some more batteries and bigger amps some time this week to see where the SA-18 tops out

Did some SPL testing in the Jeep with the 18" version of the "Magic Box" this morning -- it is slightly less efficient than the 15" version but still does well. I am pleased with the results -- will continue to push for more score as time permits :

Winner was selected ! See the video for details on the drawing =)

We did the drawing; I will post the video up to announce the winner once it is done uploading to YouTube.

(9-23-14) : Updated with SPL kits for new platform drivers as well as SA-18s and a few other small updates to the text.

We were out of town all weekend for NOPI but I will be doing the drawing today for the winner of the stereo package =)

To the top! This is the last week to donate as part of the raffle.

Monday morning bump for views !

I am quite pleased with the 10" model -- we fired one up on Friday with what I believe will be the production suspension in a test box in a vehicle (CRX was test vehicle). Tons of bottom-end and extremely clean and tight bass reproduction. Our box was about 0.6 before displacement; I want to try a bit smaller. We tested everything from rap music to Mudvayne on it These are a driver with a hard limit -- something to keep in mind. As both an under-hung and relatively shallow design there isn't much excess clearance so things can bottom out. It takes quite a bit based on my test (we had an NS-1 on it as it was already installed in the test vehicle). It is very low distortion up until hard bottom. It looks like we will end up with different motors on each size; 8, 10, 12 all with different motors. The specs on the 10" ended up great with the 190mm OD motor, but it won't cut it for the 12" so we'll probably use the 220mm OD motor. So obviously pricing will reflect this; I am still working on the final pricing and will announce when I have it -- but I feel like they will be worth every penny for small, sealed box, high fidelity applications.

This runs until September 19th 2014 -- we will do the drawing on the 20th. Anyone that donates to the MS ride fundraiser will be eligible for a drawing to win a stereo package : 2x Obsidian Audio 10" D4 1x Sundown SCV-1500D Amplifier The donation page is here : Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride 2014: Ms. Terri Louise Latimer - National MS Society Our friend Terri is doing her annual ride and that is her donation page -- when you donate write your name and "Sundown" next to it -- as we will use the names from the "Donor Honor Roll" to do the drawing. You must have YOUR name AND "Sundown" to qualify for the drawing. Every $5 donated gives you 1 entry in the drawing. You can get as many entries as you like based on how big your donation is. Many of your are familiar with Nick Lemons -- the owner / founder of Stereo Integrity and Obsidian Audio -- he's been a friend of mine since college and was diagnosed with MS several years ago. We have donated and taken part in this for the previous two years; this is our third year taking part.

They are here early -- original ETA was October. * Current MAP is $299 * RMS is still rated at 600-watts * The coil is the same as the 10/12/15" models * The motor is 10mm wider, 10mm taller, and the top plate is 20% thicker than the 10/12/15" models -- in order to drive the heavier moving mass * The spider is an 8 3/8" with standard XL leads (10/12/15 are 7" spider and recently also got XL leads) * It features a newly custom tooled high roll foam surround * DUAL-2 SPECS * DUAL-4 SPECS

----------- NEW PLATFORM PRODUCTS : MODEL -- RE-CONE Price -- FRAME Price X-10 -- $130.00 -- $50.00 X-12 -- $135.00 -- $60.00 X-15 -- $140.00 -- $80.00 X-18 -- $155.00 -- $50.00 * 18" Use the Standard 6-Spoke Frame w/ a 257mm Spider Adapter; the $50 frame price includes this adapter * D2 and D4 Coils Available (CCAW Round Wire) * Add $10.00 for Z v.4 Stiffness Spider * NS v.3 Spider Pack -- NOT AVAILABLE * Add $20.00 for NS v.3 coil option (D1 or D2) ** SPL Cone/Surround Option = $0.00 Extra (must specify) -- Available all sizes 10/12/15/18 ** SPL Spider Option = $20.00 Extra for 3-layer // $10.00 for each additional layer *** Currently SPL Spiders are only sold on 12s, 15s, and 18s -- the spider OD will be reduced to the next smaller size (12s get 8 3/8", 15s get 9.25", and 18s get 9.25") Z v.4 10 -- $150.00 -- $50.00 Z v.4 12 -- $155.00 -- $60.00 Z v.4 15 -- $160.00 -- $80.00 Z v.4 18 -- $175.00 -- $50.00 * 18" Use the Standard 6-Spoke Frame w/ a 257mm Spider Adapter; the $50 frame price includes this adapter * D1 and D2 Coils Available * Softer X Spider Available - NO EXTRA CHARGE * Add $10.00 for NS v.3 Stiffness Spider * Add $20.00 for NS v.2 Coil (v.3 does NOT work) ** SPL Cone/Surround Option = $0.00 Extra (must specify) -- Available all sizes 10/12/15/18 ** SPL Spider Option = $20.00 Extra for 3-layer // $10.00 for each additional layer *** Currently SPL Spiders are only sold on 12s, 15s, and 18s -- the spider OD will be reduced to the next smaller size (12s get 8 3/8", 15s get 9.25", and 18s get 9.25") STOCK CONFIGURATION NS v.3 10 -- $165.00 -- $50.00 NS v.3 12 -- $170.00 -- $60.00 NS v.3 15 -- $175.00 -- $80.00 NS v.3 18 -- $190.00 -- $50.00 * 18" Use the Standard 6-Spoke Frame w/ a 257mm Spider Adapter; the $50 frame price includes this adapter * D1 or D2 Coils Available * Softer X or Z v.4 spiders available -- NO EXTRA CHARGE ** SPL Cone/Surround Option = $0.00 Extra (must specify) -- Available all sizes 10/12/15/18 ** SPL Spider Option = $20.00 Extra for 3-layer // $10.00 for each additional layer *** Currently SPL Spiders are only sold on 12s, 15s, and 18s -- the spider OD will be reduced to the next smaller size (12s get 8 3/8", 15s get 9.25", and 18s get 9.25") * -- Both the X and Z v.4 kits / Frames can be retrofit into the NS v.1, NS v.2, and Z v.3 motors; these motors cannot handle the FULL capacity of the new soft parts so a hard bottom is possible. ** -- The Z v.2 motor bolt pattern is compatible with the new platforms as well but you must be aware of hard bottom possibility at 41mm one-way.