At Orion Car Audio, we know that if you want to BE the best, you have to BEAT the best, so we decided to put that motto to the test by placing the Orion HCCA Subwoofer head-to-head with its closest competition. To see videos of the Subwoofer Challenge, click sub images below. We took great pains to make sure that the test is both fair and easy to repeat.

In fact, we are keeping the challenge going by laying out our test methodology and challenging our competitors to try the same test and see if they get the same results. May the best woofer win – and in our tests that was the Orion HCCA!

Testing was conducted by a neutral third-party: Syndicate Automotive Concepts in San Diego, a leader in the vehicle customization business. Cliff and his team have been building show-stopping, award-winning rides for their VIP clientele for over 15 years. Identical Crown I-T8000 power supplies were used, along with identical Fluke 87 multimeters to monitor voltage. All the enclosures were sealed and built to the manufacturers optimal performance specifications.

The Orion HCCA Challenge consisted of our 12” Orion HCCA Subwoofer vs. 5 leading competitors’ subwoofers. See the Videos! JL Audio W7 MTX 9500 Rockford Fosgate T1 KickerSoloX Cerwin-VegaStroker

The Test was designed to simulate real world usage. Test tones are for engineers. Music is for hardcore enthusiasts. The signal used must be clean, with no distortion or clipping - the same bass track was utilized throughout the test.

The enclosures were sealed and were built to the manufacturers’ recommended size. All power tests were based on Re of voice coil or nominal impedance. 

All testing was completed with the subwoofers in the enclosures:  The Orion Test box is sealed w/ .9 cu. ft of airspace.

Matching Fluke 87 multimeters were used to read and verify peaks in RMS Voltage.

1. Step 1 -Break-In
   1 hour at 1000 RMS with 30 Hz test tone or 2000 Peak Music Power from test disk to break-in the speaker.
   
   
2. Step 2 - Begin Peak Music Test
   1 hour at 3000 W Peak Music Power.  Monitor the speaker performance during the test. Once Step 2 is begun the speaker should not be given any prolonged rest or cool down time until the Step 2 is completely finished or the woofer fails.
   
   
3. Step 3 thru 13 - Continue Test
   At the end of each hour let the test speaker rest for 30 minutes then increase power in 500 W RMS increments.  During the rest period the woofer should be visually examined for any failures or problems during this pause.

At the conclusion of the test, after all the competing woofers had failed, we decided to test the HCCA to destruction – which finally occurred at over 6,000 watts – 2,000 watts above rated peak.

KIDS, DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME!

We encourage our competitors to take the HCCA Challenge!

Want to know more about the Orion HCCA Subwoofer?
Go to: http://www.orioncaraudio.com/Products/Subwoofers/Default.aspx

Want to know more about Syndicate Automotive Concepts?
Visit: www.syndicateauto.com

The following is a summary of the test results with voltages, impedances, and peak music power.

The JL was tested at 94.5 V RMS Peak Music Power or 2976.75 W Peak Music Power at 3 ohms voice coil resistance.  The W7 is only available in 3 Ohm.

The music track used for testing is approximately 3 minutes long and is repeated throughout the test cycle.  Over half of the 3 minute track is below 1000 W and there are six peaks that are above 90 V and near 3000 W peak music power.