Sundown Audio SA-8M v4 - Midbass Set

The all-new 2025 Sundown SA speaker series has been designed to make a statement. What statement, you may ask? That Sundown Audio can be just as serious about SQ as we are about SPL. Many people already know this but our subwoofers – even the ones used for crushing demos – have some of the lowest distortion on the market. We are now bringing our unique approach to the more dedicated Sound Quality market.

Starting at the upper end of the frequency spectrum we have the SA-1T Tweeter. The SA-1T features a 25.5mm silk dome (total 38mm including surround) driven by a powerful neodymium motor structure. The dome features a compact, tuned back chamber which helps it to achieve its extremely low FS around 700hz. This gives you an enormous amount of flexibility in choosing the crossover. The tweeter can be used as a 2-way with the 6.5M or the 8M models or as part of a three way with either and the 3M model. In addition to the low FS and smooth response the SA-1T has a very high 92dB sensitivity so it doesn't take much power to get loud enough for just about anyone. The SA-1T is the 4th generation SA tweeter building on the success of the tweeter found in the SA Component sets over three generations.

Headed down the spectrum to the midrange we have the SA-3M. This "little" unit is something incredibly special and is a favorite project of lead product designer / founder Jacob Fuller. We really went all-out on this unit to address the "big 3" drivers of distortion. The SA-3M features 4.5mm of one-way linear excursion by 70% BL (with 8mm x-mech thanks to the custom tooled frame – so no bottoming out even on powerful dynamics) and over 6mm by CMS and LE definitions on Klippel. There is essentially NO risk of the driver reaching linearity limits in most applications. The beefy motor structure is a combination of ferrite and a neodymium pole cap magnet to help us reach 84.5dB sensitivity at 1-watt. There is a double LE treatment internal to the motor via both a copper pole sleeve and an aluminum magnet ID shorting ring allowing the SA-3M to play full-range to beyond 20khz (although, for several reasons, we do suggest using a tweeter for the top-end). On the bottom end they can be high-pass crossed over at 300hz effortlessly with 150-watts of power handling (thanks to the 28mm diameter, extra-long voice coil) or even lower if needed, with less power, due to the incredibly high linear stroke. The suspension system, surround and spider, of the SA-3M took over a year of FEA simulations and testing to reach perfection and is just as important as the motor to the resulting low distortion. We gave the suspension just as much attention as we would for a full blown high-stroke subwoofer. To finish off this masterpiece we tested several different types of woven carbon fiber cones & dust caps to achieve the best FR possible.

To finish off the 2025 SA speaker line we created the SA-6.5M and the SA-8M. Both of which can be used as a mid-bass or mid-range speaker depending on your application. Both drivers feature the same attention to detail as the 3M regarding the carbon cone and dust cap, surround, and spider. All of these parts were fully FEA simulated and Klippel verified.

The SA-6.5M features 5.9mm one-way linear excursion by 70% BL, 7mm by CMS, and 6.28mm by LE on Klippel. Thanks to the efficient motor venting and ample voice coil the power handling is rated for 110-watts full range / 200-watts with a 70hz HPF filter with a respectable 89dB sensitivity. As with the SA-1T this is a 4th generation SA speaker due to the SA component set from prior generations. For this iteration we optimized it further and also created a new custom-tooled frame. The revised frame is more aerodynamics and also allows for superior coil ventilation. As with most Sundown products you will find a thick magnet-ID Faraday ring as well.

Last, but absolutely not least, we have the SA-8M which takes linear stroke to yet another level. We were able to achieve 9mm one-way linear by 70% BL and nearly 10mm by CMS and LE standards. As with the 3M, the 8M features a pole sleeve and magnet ID faraday ring for LE treatment. This unit is an absolute powerhouse for mid-bass, and we believe it will make big waves in the SQ world. On the output side it has a 91.5dB sensitivity and will handle 130-watts full-range / 250-watts with a 70Hz HPF thanks to the efficient motor venting and huge 2" coil. The SA-8M is all-in on SQ and output potential – the Sundown way!

Impedance	4 ohm
RMS Watts	130
Max Watts	250
Max Frequency	20Khz
Min Frequency	70hz
Xmax	9mm
QES	0.334
VAS	21.892
QMS	6.696
QTS	0.318
RE	3.2

 

Outer Diameter	8.26
Cutout Diameter	7.28
Mounting Depth	3.4
Magnet Material	Ferrite
Surround Material	Rubber
Basket Material	Aluminum