• The site migration is complete! Hopefully everything transferred properly from the multiple decades old software we were using before. If you notice any issues please let me know, thanks! Also, I'm still working on things like chatbox, etc so hopefully those will be working in the next week or two.

What to check if your system isn't working properly

M

matt5112

New member
Subs:

If your sub isn't working properly check the following:

Phase: most aftermarket head units offer you the options of "OFF, NORMAL, REVERSE" Try switching between normal and reverse and see which sounds louder.

Bass boost: Turn it all off.

EQ: Turn this off as well if you have a loudness function.

Gain: Leave your HU's sub setting at 0, then adjust the gain of your amp so that when your HU is set to the highest sound level you will want the speakers at, turn up the gain till the sub matches that sound level. The proper way is to adjust it until it starts clipping but the only way to tell is if you have an oscilloscope, kinda expensive piece of equipment though.

Position: In our cars, facing the sub towards the rear of the trunk and having the sub within 3 inches of the rear of the trunk will produce the highest SPLs granted the pass through hatch is open. If not, SPL will suffer. If you're looking to gain some of that back, removing the rear 6x9's will help a little.

Try moving it around the trunk and see what works best for you.

If all that fails? Perhaps you need better subs....
 
Last edited:


Wires: Make sure all wires are tightly secured to the correct spot. Also make sure you have the right gauge of wire.

High Pass/Low pass Filter: Adjust to correct frequency. This is based on preference of what kind of bass you want, deep or higher/tighter, just stay within the limits of the sub.
 
2000GTGP said:
Wires: Make sure all wires are tightly secured to the correct spot. Also make sure you have the right gauge of wire.

High Pass/Low pass Filter: Adjust to correct frequency. This is based on preference of what kind of bass you want, deep or higher/tighter, just stay within the limits of the sub.
Click to expand...

Forgot about wiring... CHECK IT THREE TIMES! It can and WILL **** you over. :D

The HP/LPF is a tricky topic. Most people find 80 Hz to be too high to prevent localization. But to most they don't mind it. If you're running anything smaller than 8" midbass or 6.5"s midwoofers with anything less than 6 mm of Xmax, do your speakers a favour and cross at 80-100. It may sound like you're in the middle of the band but its better than damaging your poor front setup.

Its not based on the type of bass you want, but rather how well you designed your system. :p
 
wiring is pretty important there hard to forget.. how could your sub work if it wasnt wired :P

one more off top of my head.

Box: Design/buy a box that are built to the specifications for that particular driver. Also make sure there is no air leaks coming from it as well. Edit: leaky boxes sound like @$$ if you ever heard it.
 
Make sure you either follow the manufacturers' recommendations, or better yet, model the woofer in a program like WinISD or Unibox.

Just some idle thoughts I've had reading some other threads about subs and whats "best".
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top