Orion® HCCA™ Subwoofer Challenge
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, go to the "HCCA™ SUBWOOFER CHALLENGE VIDEOS" tab below and click on the subwoofer images. 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!
  TEST RESULTS    HCCA™ SUBWOOFER CHALLENGE VIDEOS  
TEST RESULTS

TEST METHODOLOGY:
Testing was conducted by a neutral third-party: Syndicate Automotive Concepts in San Diego, a leader in the vehicle customization business.

Syndicate Automotive Concepts, San Diego, CA Cliff and his team have been building show-stopping, award-winning rides for their VIP clientele for over 15 years.

Test Equipment 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.

HERE ARE THEIR RESPECTIVE STATS:
Brand
MTX
Rockford Fosgate
JL Audio
Kicker
Cerwin-Vega
Orion
Model
9500
T1
W7
SoloX
Stroker
HCCA
Airspace
1.5 cf
1.25 cf
1.375 cf
1.5 cf
.9 cf
RMS
1,000 w
600 w
750 w
2,500 w
2,000 w
2,000 w
Peak
2,000 w
1,200 w
1,500 w
5,000 w
4,000 w
4,000 w
The Test was designed to simulate real world usage. Test tones are for engineers. Music is for hardcore enthusiasts.test equipment 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.

TEST STEPS:
  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.
TEST RESULTS:
Brand

Series

 Peak Music Power Max Wattage Total Time Failure Mode
Orion HCCA 6050 1hr 30min Thermal
Rockford Power 2983.78 3 min mechanical
Cerwin-Vega Stroker 2983.78 5 min Thermal
JL W7 3072 7 min mechanical
MTX Thunder 3494.8 1hr 5min mechanical
Kicker SoloX 3499.91 1hr 12min mechanical
SUMMARY:
We encourage our competitors to take the HCCA Challenge!

Want to know more about the Orion HCCA Subwoofer? Go to http://www.orioncaraudio.com/HCCA for more info.

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

VOLTAGE, IMPEDANCE AND PEAK MUSIC POWER TEST DETAILS:
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.

3000 W into 3 ohms = 94.87V 3500 W into 3 ohms = 102.47 V 4500 W into 4 ohms = 134.16 V
3000 W into 4 ohms = 109.54 V 3500 W into 4 ohms = 118.32 V 4500 W into 8 ohms = 189.74 V
3000 W into 8 ohms = 154.92 V 3500 W into 8 ohms = 167.33 V  

ORION HCCA
The HCCA passed all other competitors and failed when the power was raised to 6050 W into 8 ohms = 220 V
KICKER SoloX
Kicker passed at 2997.56 W 1 hour
Kicker failed at 3499.91 W  12 min
1 hr 12 min total play time
 Kicker continued to play even though it was knocking and sounded terrible as we raised the power and stopped at 4502.41 W
MTX Thunder
MTX passed at 2983.78 W 1 hour
MTX failed at 3494.8 W 5 min
1 hr 5 min total play time
JL AUDIO W7
JL failed at 3072 W 7 min
ROCKFORD FOSGATE Power
Rockford failed at 2983.78 W 3 min
CERWIN-VEGA Stroker
Cerwin Vega failed at 2983.78 W 5 min

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