Sundown Audio SA-6.5CSv3 2-way Component and SA-6.5CX Coaxial Premium Factory Speaker System Upgrade Review

We all like our tunes, especially in our rides. Unfortunately, those factory speakers in most cars, are lacking. It’s basically planned obsolescence. So whether the days of your factory speakers are over, or you just want a serious upgrade, it’s time to replace them. There’s lots of options for you. You could go basic, high quality, or premium. We previously covered a high quality upgrade system from Harmon Kardan. This is part two of our upgrade review, and features Sundown Audio. It’s their SA-6.5CSv3 2-way components for the front, and SA-6.5CXv2 co-axial for the rear. MSRP is $399 and $199.

 

Features and specs:

SA-6.5CXv2:

120 watts RMS

Silk dome tweeter

Hybrid fiber cone

Adjustable crossover - midrange and tweeter

Cast aluminum frame

Magnet ID shorting ring (midrange)

Machined aluminum tweeter housing 

High-compliance rubber surround

2.75" DEPTH

 

SA-6.5CSv3:

6.5" Component Speakers System

125 Watts / Side

Silk Dome Tweeter

Machine Aluminum Tweeter Housing

Case Aluminum Frame

Magnet ID Shorting Ring (Midrange)

Carbon Fiber Cone

Rubber Surround

24dB/Octave Crossover

Adjustable Tweeter Level (-3, 0, +3)

Mounting Depth: 2.87"

Cutout: 5.63"

 

 

Both the Sundown Audio SA-6.5CXv2 and SA-6.5CSv3 came in a nice color printed box with specs printed on the box. Opening the box revealed a well-protected speaker held in place by custom molded foam. Materials used in the construction was mostly metal with some plastic, rubber, and hybrid fiber cone. Quality of materials used as well as fit and finish, was excellent. Included was woofer with built-in tweeter for the coaxial, separate woofer and tweeter and passive crossovers, for the component system, as well as wiring and screws for mounting.

 

As I mentioned before, most factory speakers are less desirable. They sound just ok and are usually made with thin paper cones and thin surround that won’t last long term. Hence the planned obsolescence. Most aftermarket speakers tend to be cheap, using a lot of plastic and stamped baskets. Some companies spend a lot of time developing a better-quality speaker with better sound, yet still cut some corners to save costs, such as using stamped baskets. With premium speakers you get superior build quality as well as superior sound.

 

I love the design of the Sundown Audio SA series speakers. Having been in business for almost 20 years, most of it building premium subwoofers. They used this experience for premium coaxial and component speakers, such as using an extended pole piece to allow for more excursion. For cooling there is a vented voice coil collar and vented magnetic gap. Having 6mm of linear one-way excursion and the extra venting translates into higher power handling. The employment of the blend of paper and wool fibers assist in damping any unwanted resonances, as does the rubber surround. Depending on where you cross over the midrange, they can handle 60-125+ watts RMS.

 

To mate well with the midrange, they paid a lot of attention on the tweeter. A silk dome is used for similar smoothness of sound. Then there’s the passive crossover. To maintain the high sound quality goal, they used high quality air core inductors and mylar capacitors. The end result yields a very well-made product for great SQ. And the crossover even allows for CPF slope as well as tweeter slope. Now let’s see how they sound.

 

Earth, Wind & Fire: September – shaker sounded really crisp, wood block had really nice woodiness to the tone. Trumpet was really clean with excellent harmonics. Cymbal was equally really crisp and clean. Vocals had excellent resolution of the texture of the timbre. Drums were really dynamic with nice low-end extension.

Disturbed: Sound of Silance – Piano sounded really natural with very nice harmonics. Vocals were extremely crisp with excellent texture of the timbre. Strings were equally as crisp with nice resolution of the decay of the strings.

Nat King Cole: L-O-V-E – cymbals and high-hat were really crisp and clean, piano sounded very natural with good resolution of the strings. Strings also were silky smooth with very nice resolution of the bass. Trumpet was not only equally smooth, but also extremely dynamic with excellent harmonics. Vocals were smooth like honey with equally excellent resolution of the timbre. Soundstage was also very deep and wide, with imaging on a dime.

 

In contrast during the installation, I inspected the stock speakers in the older 2004 Toyota Rav4 when they were taken out.  I was shocked that they weren’t blown, especially with their thin cones and surrounds. The person I got it from must have never used the stereo. And their magnet was so so small, I’m surprised the speakers sounded as good as they did.  But don’t take that the wrong way.  Out of 10 I would give them a 4, but with the magnet as small as it was, I’m surprised they weren’t a 3.  And the plastic tweeter was equally unimpressive.  While you could hear the music, that’s the best I could give them. It was like listening to qood speakers with thick earmuffs on. You could hear the music, but it sounded extremely thin, flat, hardly any resolution or highs.   The Sundown Audio was a night and day difference, like a revelation.

 

Not only does the Sundown Audio SA-6.5CXv2 and SA6.5CSv3 designed to handle a lot of power, they also sound great doing it. And thanks to the excellent build quality, they should have you rocking for years. If you want to take the sound in your ride to a whole new level, the Sundown SA6.5CXv2 and SA6.5CSv3 should be on your short list. Based on their design, features, quality and performance, they have earned our Editor’s Choice Award. For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.sundownaudio.com.