Sundown Audio - Informatie

Personalizing Your Sundown Subwoofer

Note: For most everyday car audio enthusiasts, customization of your subwoofer may not be necessary. Subwoofers are engineered through extensive research and development to optimize their performance. Use this guide as an aid in choosing soft parts if you require specific options.

Also, please be aware that changing your subwoofer from stock will result in inaccurate T/S parameters for your subwoofer.

SDDN, NS, Z, X, and M Series Subwoofers

Choosing Your Cone:

There are essentially two options:

1. Mega Roll V.2 Surround with Paper Cone: This is the stock subwoofer configuration.
2. SPL Cone/Surround: Resembles a traditional subwoofer cone/surround. We recommend this only for SPL competitions where you play with a peak of 40Hz or higher.

Choosing Your Spiders:

There are five options divided into two categories:

Linear Spiders:

Linear spiders share a consistent size roll with evenly spaced features with a slight variation in the rolls size, ensuring the behavior is linear. Sundown calls it their, "Progressive Geometry Linear." Each exhibits its stiffness level determined by the materials in the spider. In the realm of linear spider design, compliance stays relatively constant as the diaphragm undergoes movement, from its central rest position in the magnetic gap to maximum excursion in both directions. The objective is to uphold a linear connection between the applied force (from the voice coil) and the resulting displacement of the diaphragm. Essentially, the spider's stiffness remains stable during speaker movement, fostering a more foreseeable and controlled motion.

• Yellow Spider: Used in the M Series Subwoofer (Softest)
• Tan Spider: Used in the X Series Subwoofer
• Black Spider: Used in the Z Series Subwoofer
• Red Spider: Used in the NS Series Subwoofer (Stiffest)

The greater the stiffness of the spider, the higher power it can handle (by a couple hundred watts), though it may sacrifice some low-end capabilities. IE; The difference between an X Series spider and an NS Series spider, for example, can be around 6 frequencies, making it noticeable.

SPL/Progressive:

The SPL Progressive spider is characterized by a roll that progressively gets smaller as it nears the cone. In this design, known as a progressive roll spider, compliance or stiffness increases the farther from rest the speaker moves. Generally, the stiffness is lowest near the rest position, where the diaphragm is centered, and increases as the diaphragm moves away from the center. The primary goal of this design is to limit the speaker's movement, especially as it approaches the safe limits of stroke. The function for SPL is to purposely increase the FS as more power is applied to produce higher SPL at higher frequencies.

• SPL Progressive Spider: This is a progressive roll spider that tightens progressively as it gets closer to the cone. It is mostly used in SPL applications, and not recommended for daily use.

Choosing Your Voice Coils:

The stock voice coils are engineered for the subwoofers, but if you wish to upgrade, consider the following:

• If you are a daily user, keeping the stock coil is recommended.
• Upgrading to a larger coil may offer a slight increase in power handling (a couple of hundred watts) and more motor force. However, it adds more moving mass and can potentially lower the FS (resonant frequency). This is more suitable for serious enthusiasts.

Note: SPL competitors might use stainless steel formers for added SPL score.

Choosing Your Dust Cap:

Apart from cosmetics, the dust cap choice doesn't impact the subwoofer mechanically. 

• Select either the stock dust cap or opt for carbon fiber to suit your aesthetic preferences.

Strengthening Your Subwoofer:

If you use your subwoofer daily for intense bass and encounter any of these problems, we recommend considering an upgrade to a higher subwoofer level. These issues often arise from overpowering your subwoofer or encountering problems with the enclosure.

• Surround Issues: If you're facing tearing issues with the surround, adding E6000 to the surround can strengthen it without being affected by high excursion heat.
• Cone Issues: If you're experiencing cone tears, adding epoxy to the back of the cone can provide additional rigidity. However, this increases moving mass and may lower the FS.

Common Myths:

1. Myth: Upgrading to an 8-layer coil instead of a 4-layer coil doubles power handling.
   • Response: Untrue, it may handle a few hundred more watts, but won't double power handling.
2. Myth: Putting a Zv6 recone in an Xv3 turns it into a Zv6.
   • Response: While you have the soft parts, the motor is different, affecting performance.
3. Myth: Using an NSv6 spider on a Zv6 gives it the same power handling as an NSv6.
   • Response: Power handling depends on the entire subwoofer design; spiders alone won't match the power of a different model.

Sundown Audio SDDN vs Zv7 Subwoofers – Which One Fits Your Build?

When it comes to extreme bass performance, Sundown Audio is known for pushing limits. Two of their heavy hitters — the SDDN and the Zv7 — may seem similar at first glance, but under the hood, they’re completely different animals. Whether you’re building for SPL competition, a daily driver with huge lows, or something in between, understanding the differences will help you choose the right subwoofer for your system.

Motor Design – Completely Different Approaches

The Sundown SDDN and Zv7 don’t share the same motor structure.

• Zv7: Built with an all-ferrite motor that’s physically larger, featuring Sundown’s patent-pending airflow cap system combined with a pole vent for improved cooling.

• SDDN: Uses a Neo pole cap with a solid T-yoke and split pole setup for maximum motor force.

Key takeaway: The SDDN has more motor force, while the Zv7 is designed with more linear X-Max for smoother cone travel.

Voice Coil – Size, Winding, and Options

• SDDN: Available only in D1 configuration, using a super thick 80mm-long coil for extreme durability under heavy loads.

• Zv7: Available in D1 and D2 options, with a 95mm-long, 3.3-inch coil that’s slightly thinner than the SDDN’s but still thicker than most coils in its class.

The Zv7’s longer coil length offers more linear movement and lower inductance, making it a better all-around performer in different box designs.

Enclosure Preferences – 6th Order vs 4th Order

• SDDN: Built with more motor force, making it perfect for 6th order enclosures. It was originally designed for Steven Dunkin’s van and later released to the public due to demand.

• Zv7: While it still boasts 50% more motor force than the Zv6, it leans toward 4th order boxes and works well in a variety of enclosure styles, making it the more flexible choice.

Suspension and Spider Design

• SDDN: Features Sundown’s Mega Suspension with a harder, linear red spider stock. This stiffer suspension setup helps control extreme cone movement in high-pressure 6th order boxes.

• Zv7: Uses a less stiff black spider stock for smoother, more linear performance across different box types.

Which One Should You Choose?

If you’re building a purpose-built SPL monster with a 6th order setup, the SDDN is hard to beat — it’s designed for insane motor force and durability in high-output builds.
If you want versatility, broader enclosure compatibility, more linear X-Max, and still massive power, the Zv7 will give you flexibility without sacrificing performance.

Credits: Jacob Morris & Jacob Fuller