First off, if the PG heads would prefer to close the topic, I am totally fine with that, just posting it up because I know a few people have followed our progress some.
Now, this is a new direction for our flagship line. At first, we prototyped and tested some very high power, extreme output drivers. We went through 2 different versions of it, and a pair of 18's are still being used in Arizona and are impressing the heck out of people who love the loud! But we did some soul searching and realized that was not the true ideal of SSA drivers. That brought us back to what we have in a hit with the Icon, of a stout driver that sounds great in a variety of boxes, but the challenge is that many people that love their Icon(s) want to send 1300+ watts to them and the Icon is not designed to take that much. In addition, the market segment of the super sub (high power, strong output, high xmax, crisp clean sound, can be used with great results in both sq installs or the occasional SPL competition installs) has thinned out some what.
>RE XXX has changed design and gone way out of average joe's price range
>Adire Brahma is no more
>Ascendant Audio Havoc is dealer based only
>Crystal CMPx2 essentially gone
>Orion HCCA has had issues and fallen somewhat off the map
>JL W7 is still priced out of reach for too many
>ID MAX does not quite have the power handling or the price
>AudioPulse pricing sky rocketed on the 5400 and they are still shut down as far as I know
>Sound Splinter RL-s is an excellent driver, but much more at home in home audio
>Stereo Integrity has drastically changed direction with the MAG
>PG Ti Elite off the market
and so on. This will be a challenge for us to dial this monster in, but when it is ready for production.... At the moment, Mark the other half of SSA, is doing some heavy abuse testing to make sure it can hold up well beyond the range we set for it and the limits stated. When he is finished, I will begin sound and box testing, to make sure it can reach the high level of clarity the Icon has. This will effectively give us the metaphorical Enzo (Xcon) to our F430 (Icon). We are still working on a higher xmax decent power handling SQ 8" sub, but we are still awaiting newly tooled baskets as the standard 12 spoke 8" basket is limiting the mechanical travel of the initial prototype.
Good luck with testing. Please don't hesitate to post updates of your new products! Or any other brands for that matter. I know I like to see a variety around here.
stipud wrote:Thank you! You can never have too many high powered "SQL" subs!
Please keep us updated
Haha that is true, from my perspective, I feel that our Icon or for that matter an RSDC, Fi Q, IDMAX etc. is plenty of power handling and output. But there is always people who want more and with the watt per dollar ratio falling, more power is available to more people. Not saying that all know how to properly use it, but that more is out there.
The one perception I think that will be an issue is that because this will have an RMS ratting well over 1000watts, the masses will think it has to have crazy power to do anything or sound good. We do not want to throw efficiency out the window for ultimate peak power handling. Don't tell anyone, but sometimes I run just a single Icon 12 off 240 watts in a small sealed box.
Really? Now you've piqued my interest. I run 300 watts on my sub stage, only sealed boxes, and to me that is way more than enough. Judging from the looks of your Icon, I too thought that it would be a bit more power hungry (I mean just look at that magnet!). Then again, the RSD comp sub I am running right now is also rated for 600rms.
Out of curiosity, what size sealed enclosure does your 10" icon like?
stipud wrote:Really? Now you've piqued my interest. I run 300 watts on my sub stage, only sealed boxes, and to me that is way more than enough. Judging from the looks of your Icon, I too thought that it would be a bit more power hungry (I mean just look at that magnet!). Then again, the RSD comp sub I am running right now is also rated for 600rms.
Out of curiosity, what size sealed enclosure does your 10" icon like?
Don't get me wrong, the Icon really opens up with 800+ watts, but it does not need it. As for sealed box, the 10" model is at home in a well stuffed .5 - .75 cube box, could easily move up to 1.0 to let its bottom end really come out.
At the moment, Mark the other half of SSA, is doing some heavy abuse testing to make sure it can hold up well beyond the range we set for it and the limits stated. When he is finished, I will begin sound and box testing, to make sure it can reach the high level of clarity the Icon has. This will effectively give us the metaphorical Enzo (Xcon) to our F430 (Icon). We are still working on a higher xmax decent power handling SQ 8" sub, but we are still awaiting newly tooled baskets as the standard 12 spoke 8" basket is limiting the mechanical travel of the initial prototype.
