Sundown Sia 3500 vs. the Taramps Smart 3K comparison
This article is meant to educate you on the differences between the Sia 3500 D vs. the Taramps smart 3k. Before we start, I want to let everybody know that I am not siding on one or the other, just a general overview comparison. The Fullbridge market, in my opinion, is nothing more than a Cost-Effective Way to save money on power, and there isn’t anything wrong with that at all.
What we know about the 2 amplifiers:
- Each one is full-bridge technology, aka Brazilian.
- One is made in china (sundown), one is made in Brazil (taramps)
- Sundown SFB Amplifiers will phase out, and SIA Amplifiers will be the successor.
- one comes with a bass knob (sundown) one comes with indicator gages (taramps)
- Both have smart/intelligent technology designed into the amplifier.
Info about the Sia 3500:
Price $417.99
|
NUMBER OF CHANNELS |
1 CH |
|
|
MAX OUTPUT POWER |
14.4VDC – 1 OHM |
3500W RMS |
|
MAX OUTPUT POWER |
14.4VDC – 2 OHM |
3000W RMS |
|
MAX OUTPUT POWER |
14.4VDC – 4 OHM |
1750W RMS |
|
INPUT SENSITIVITY |
200MV |
|
|
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO |
108 DB |
|
|
FREQUENCY RESPONSE |
10HZ 20KHZ (-3DB) |
|
|
HPF CROSSOVER |
10 TO 1KHZ (-12DB/8) VARIABLE |
|
|
LPF CROSSOVER |
40HZ TO 20KHZ (-12DB/8) VARIABLE |
|
|
BASS BOOST |
0 TO 12DB (50HZ) |
|
|
THERMAL MANAGEMENT |
SMART COOLER ( FAN POWERED BY TEMPERATURE OR AUDIO, WITH 3 SPEEDS) |
|
|
INPUT IMPEDANCE |
56K OHMS |
|
|
PROTECTION SYSTEM |
OUTPUT SHORT / HIGH /LOW SUPPLY VOLTAGE / THERMAL PROTECTION |
|
|
MINIMUM SUPPLY VOLTAGE |
9VDC |
|
|
MAXIMUM SUPPLY VOLTAGE |
16VDC |
Conclusion on specs with the Sundown SIA 3500 is that it does 1 and 2 ohms loads which is great for any 3000watt – 4000-watt subwoofer you may want to pair it with! Testing is at 14.4v, which honestly your voltage should be at.
Info About the Smart 3K :
Price: $299.99
| OPERATION CLASS | Class D |
|---|---|
| NUMBER OF CHANNELS | 01 |
| MAXIMUM POWER | @ 12.6 VDC – 1 Ohm: 3000 Watts RMS @ 12.6 VDC – 2 Ohms: 3000 Watts RMS @ 12.6 VDC – 4 Ohms: 2000 Watts RMS |
| INPUT SENSITIVITY | 0.22V ~ 4V |
| SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO | >90dB |
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE | 10Hz ~ 10KHz (-3dB) |
| CROSSOVER HIGH PASS (HPF) | 10Hz ~ 90Hz (-12dB/8ª) Variable |
| CROSSOVER LOW PASS (LPF) | 90Hz ~ 10KHz (-12dB/8ª) Variable |
| BASS BOOST | Freq.: 35Hz ~ 55Hz Boost: 0 ~ +10dB |
| EFFICIENCY | 79% |
| INPUT IMPEDANCE | 10K Ohms |
| OUTPUT IMPEDANCE | 1 ~2 ohms |
| PROTECTION SYSTEM | Output short circuit low/high voltage protection thermal protection |
| MIN. SUPPLY VOLTAGE | 9VDC |
| MAXIMUM POWER SUPPLY VOLTAGE | 16VDC |
| CONSUMPTION AT REST | 2.40A |
| MAXIMUM MUSIC CONSUMPTION | 150A |
| MAXIMUM CONSUMPTION IN SINUSOIDAL SIGNAL | 300A |
| DIMENSIONS (WXHXD) | 8.98″ x 2.76″ x 9.37″ (228 x 70 x 238 mm) |
| WEIGHT |
Conclusion on specs with the Taramps smart 3k, 3000 watts at 12.6v at 1 and 2 ohms is really low, like scary low. The signal-to-noise ratio is lower than sundown’s 108dB rating. On the bright side with the 12.6v ratings, This also means that they will probably do more power with better voltage. It is speculated that they are .5 ohm stable, but after talking with repair techs for taramps they really are not.
Reliability & Warranty
Sundown has shown its reliability over the years is amazing, and they stand fully behind their product.
Sundown Audio gives you a 2-year warranty, and if you are honest they will warranty your amplifier no questions really asked, do not run amp below 1 ohm.
Taramps warranties for 1 year, it’s not too clear on the terms, reliability isn’t great just speaking from what I saw at my buddy’s house who repaired amps for them for many years… but the amplifiers are getting better with time!
Conclusion:
If you have the money, get sundown SIA 3500, if you are on a budget get the smart 3k!
![Sundown Audio SIA 3500 UNBOXING [NEW Intelligent AMPS]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hAiwmZqLy8g/0.jpg)
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