Skar Audio and Sundown are companies that deal with audio speakers. These two companies are among the top brands in the audio industry.
Skar audio products are usually recommended by experts for beginner audiophiles, while veterans tend to find what they love more in Sundown audio products.
The fact is, Skar Audio has a terrible reputation because their products aren’t always good quality. However, they are cheap and offer some good deals, so beginners on a budget often choose this brand. Skar subwoofers and other products often come straight out of a Chinese catalog with little to no innovation. However, Sundown continues raising the bar with excellent subwoofers and other products as well as quality control, customer service, and warranty. However, they are more expensive.
We recommend dealing with Skar for small side projects alone, not for professional audio use. For professional audio setups, go with Sundown which is more reliable. Of note, many people have received scratched/used equipment from Skar, so be careful.
This article will further explain more differences and similarities between these two audio companies
Brief History Of Skar Audio
The Skar Audio firm was created in 2011 by two audiophiles who were dissatisfied with the quality and performance of audio products on the market at the time.
Skar Audio was created with the goal of inventing and manufacturing high-quality automotive audio equipment and providing world-class customer service.
Kevin Schlenker, the current CEO, founded the company in early 2012.
Skar’s objective as a firm has been to design and engineer goods that consistently raise the bar and define new limits since its inception.
Designing competition-grade items that are affordable to the average customer without sacrificing build quality is a priority.
Brief History Of Sundown Audio
Sundown began in Fuller’s garage in 2006. Brandon Sparks, a high school friend who is now the head of operations, was the second employee.
The company employed 15 people and sold 80 different subwoofer variants. It expanded from a 30,000-square-foot warehouse to a 100,000-square-foot warehouse in 2013.
Sundown Audio subwoofers are meant to last and to sound amazing! They nearly sound like if you bought a high-end sound quality subwoofer.
Sundown subwoofers are SPL built just for music and assembled with the greatest elements. Some Sundown Audio is handcrafted in the United States, in the heart of North Carolina, by expert audiophiles.
Skar Audio Vs Sundown Common History
In the past, Skar Audio and Sundown had a good relationship. In fact, Sundown sold/licensed some designs from previous products to Skar. However, there was a falling out and the companies are no longer connected.
There are many differences and broad similarities between the product manufactured by these two brands. They will be discussed below.
Sound Quality
Skar Audio
Skar Audio is well-known for its excellent sound quality. Whenever you need an audio device with powerful bass and excellent quality. Their subwoofers are powerful, and their speakers are crystal sharp.
Skar Audio may not be the most high-end brand on the market, but for the price of their product, they offer a large choice of items at decent sound quality. Skar products can compete with more expensive ones for those wishing to try out a new brand.
Sundown
On the other end, Sundown audio products provide excellent sound quality at a higher cost.
Sundown has something to suit your needs, whether it’s an amp, speaker, or subwoofer. Sundown should be at the top of your list if you’re seeking high-quality audio equipment.
Price
Skar Audio
Skar’s prices are really reasonable given the quality of their items and the value they deliver. In terms of price, they are a mid-to low-range brand, but their performance significantly transcends that.
Sundown
Sundown products are generally more expensive that Skar products. This is not to mean that sundown quality is way better.
Skar audio quality, as well as performance, pretty much stand up to sundown for the price range that both brands offers. You will definitely get your value for money if you go for either brand.
Performance
Skar Audio
Skar Audio is great and has different exciting features per model or product. Although there has been complaints among users, but this usually depend on model and device type. Newer models perform better than older models.
Skar audio subwoofers produce thick bass. While this is good, some audiophiles claim that it can get too thick sometimes and affect the sound of quality of the sub.
Sundown
The performance of Sundown is considered one of the best especially when it comes to car subwoofers. They are praised for their performance, durability, and quality.
However, this does not make Skar a bad competitor. Skar has some powerful models which you definitely don’t want to miss out on. Besides, both brands are among the best car audio brands on the market currently.
Flexibility
Skar Audio
The flexibility of skar audio equipment is another advantage. Skar Audio offers a wide range of speakers and subwoofers that are suitable for almost any application.
Skar audio is likely to have what you need, whether you need something powerful to power your home cinema system or something less heavy for your everyday use.
Sundown
While sundown offers a wide range of products, they are not as flexible as Skar audio. We can say Skar audio wins when it comes to flexibility and product offer.
Durability
Skar Audio
Skar audio products are not only high-quality sounding, but they are also constructed to last.
Many types are made of durable materials that can survive the demands of daily use. This durability ensures that your investment will last for years, giving you excellent value for your money.
Skar uses cheap Chinese materials for all their lines, this is why their products are so cheap and this is why they may not last long.
Sundown
Many customers claim to have had no difficulties with their Sundown amplifiers and speakers for the past ten years or more. Sundown audio’s products are built to last, which is one of their key advantages.
Sundown products are more durable than Skar because they use better custom components, for example, Precision Econowind coils in their upper-tier lines.
Warranty
Both Sundown and Skar product comes with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty. This applies to either subwoofers, amplifiers, speakers, or other devices in their product line.
If you change your mind within that time frame, you are entitled to a full refund. A 2-year limited warranty covers all of their products against manufacturer defects.
Skar Subwoofer Vs Sundown Subwoofers
Skar Audio
Sundown
Sundown audio is known among bass lovers as a bespoke manufacturer that can provide the goods when it comes to putting some industrial-grade rumble in your car entertainment system. They produce subwoofers in a variety of series based on power, aesthetics, and design.
Even their low-cost items can, literally and figuratively, blow the doors off most of the major brand competition in terms of bass performance.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01BFK1X4A” locale=”US” tag=”speakermasters-20″]Skar Audio RPX65 6.5″ 200W 2-Way Coaxial Car Speakers[/easyazon_link]
[amazon box=”B01BFK1X4A”]
Speaker Type: Woofer
Brand: Skar Audio
Model Name RPX65
Mounting Type Coaxial and Car
When you want to increase the sound in your vehicle, the Skar Audio RPX65 6.5-inch 2-way coaxial car speakers are a superb factory replacement speaker. The sound is rich, clean, and strong. A 20mm aluminum dome tweeter is included in the speakers.
They’re built with high-quality materials including a microfibre paper cone and premium butyl rubber surround, and they perform excellently on factory radio power or boosted power.
All of these features contribute to the speaker’s capacity to deliver excellent quality and long-term dependability.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B012YI1O96″ locale=”US” tag=”speakermasters-20″]X-12 V.2 D2 – Sundown Audio 12″ 1500W RMS Dual 2-Ohm X V.2 Series Subwoofer[/easyazon_link]
[amazon box=”B012YI1O96″]
Speaker Type: Subwoofer
Brand: Sundown Audio
Model Name X V2 Subwoofer series
Mounting Type: Car
The Sundown Audio X V.2 series is the company’s first woofer to feature Sundown’s “ultra-high excursion” suspension and frame technologies. Sundown Audio’s engineers pay attention to every detail from start to finish and this is evident in the XV series.
Every detail that goes into producing their items a work of art is visible. When you combine all of this with their soft parts and tooled frame, you get the ideal subwoofer.
The most stunning sub in the line, though, is the 6.5″ subwoofer, which, despite its compact design and cone diameter, packs a big punch. It’s a miniature masterpiece of audio engineering.
Because the giant cone subs in this series are 1500-watts RMS, most bass lovers will require a massive amplifier to power them, thus they aren’t for the faint-hearted.
These are the subwoofers to have if you really want bone-shaking bass.
Why are Skar Audio Products Cheap?
Skar products are cheap because they are made from cheap Chinese components or just taken from cheap Chinese catalogs.
Skar will use cheap Chinese materials for all their lines and Sundown will use a Precision Econowind coil in their upper tier lines. the coil alone can be up to $70 more depending on the model and will take a lot more abuse.
This method of rebranding significantly cuts down on production costs. Skar does not have to pay royalties for the manufacturing of those products.
However, this means that rebranding parts and using them to build audio devices may make the quality a bit inferior.
Conclusion
In the end, it boils down to your individual requirements and preferences. Both Skar and sundown are good audio firms. Skar may be said to be a suitable alternative if you’re searching for a firm with a good low-end response and powerful bass.
Sundown, on the other hand, may be a better alternative if you’re searching for a firm with a more prolonged bass response and higher output capability.
In general, we recommend Sundown over Skar but in some instances, the price isn’t worth the upcharge. With Skar, You are paying extra for that peace of mind, customer service, and general quality.
