Back in August 2013 I started testing the Z18. There is a story that goes with that too.

OK, back in March 2012 I was asked by Sony NZ if I could test 4 of their 10″ XSLD106P5 Subwoofers, as someone had just done a 150.0db in the USA in a CRX, as you may or may not know I’m a SQ guy so burps are not my thing. As I run db Drag NZ maybe I could do something.

So with that in mind I started a robust testing regime and with some time and effort I pulled a 149.9db on the 25th March 2012. Not the 150db I was looking for hey I don’t give up easily. Two months later on the 12th of May 2012 I got 150.1db, to date that result has not been beaten that we are aware of.

Over the next few months I had other brands ask me to test their subs and again I was happy to help, see below some of the results…

DD Audio 10″ Entry Level Subs = 153.7db
JBL 12″ Entry Level Subs = 152.3db
Pioneer 12″ Entry Level Subs = 154.4db
DD Audio 12″ Entry Level Subs = 154.7db

Note: None of the above Subwoofers were damaged or blown. Then the Subs were sold on and to my knowledge still going today 

Right, back to the beginning…

On August 31st 2007 Alan Dante had hit a world record of 180.5 dB using a single DDZ18. I wondered what was possible out of a single subwoofer here in NZ ?? 

Where to start??

OK, Power was first on the list so DD Audio M4a x 2 were ordered and installed.

The box design I decided to stay with is what had worked for me as above with some mods 

Subwoofer?? well that is what I thought about and discussed with other SPL guys for quite some time. I then chose one DD9518-SC-D2 because I could super charge it, and I knew these subs are very robust and had been used by most people in the SPL scene at the time.

Now, this is where things get interesting. Ohms and box rise plus power matching comes into play, and delivering that exact power at the right time and all calculations in alignment, oh and did I mention box placement port length and the list goes on 

Well I got a 155.3db time and time again. It was time to move to a Z18 and with what we now know the time was right.

Now, this Z18 was a second-hand one that was needing a little TLC, so who do you call? The Sub-busters!! Maybe not.

But anyway I just put in more time, oh did I say more time?? At this stage I had just about blown some internal fuses, as the days got longer and the nights shorter, the time had come to test this Z….

As you can see I always use our Clamp Testing & Box Placement – Test Sheets.

Most top SPL competitors run these books and in Alan’s case, boxes of books = results time and time again.

Like all sports having the right gear always helps. Knowing the limits of each brand, and what you are trying to achieve, is a must for success. Note; this I mean is in a non musical way, meaning burp sport vs music is completely different. Brand and Sub choice will vary depending on use, as some brands can work both ways. You just need to factor in what your looking for…

Now for the test…

Bam!! and then on the 3rd of October 2013 I got a staggering 156.37db from a single DD Audio Z18…

It’s a great feeling when you get the result you were chasing and having a realistic goal will always help.

See above one very tired man, but worth it in the end.

Ashley Madd Bass Burrell