TomLee

iTrader: (3)

WHat are some active audio forums?

Im tired of my subs not sounding right. I finally finished getting rid of alot of rattling, and got a stronger amp so i wouldn't be under powering my subs but they still sound muddy.


Ipod -->Cassete Player -->Rear Sub wires -->LLC --> Kicker400.1 --> 2 Polk Single Coil DB10"s.

It wasnt as punchy before because I had a box that didnt have the optimal spacce(too much) So i built a smaller box that made it more punchier. Still sounds muddyyy, unclear.

Maybe it is my LLC? It was a cheapo one off ebay. I'm not even sure how to adjust it.


People say that you cant get good quiality sound from ipod->cassete but my freinds cars that ran that setup temporarily sounded fine. He was running 2 12" Kenwoods, dont remember what amp.



Did i somehow ruin my subs? Didn't let it air out fully enough or something?

Ahhh im jsut really frsutrated.








Would a ported box sound bad i na trunk enclosure? Id imagine more vibrations to to air ebing push up past the rear deck.

jet_jockey

by LLC are you talking about a low pass crossover?

TomLee

iTrader: (3)

yes i am. are there different names for them?

Robert_J

LLC = Line Level Converter (or Limited Liabiliity Corporation)
LOC = Line Out Converter

All take speaker levels and convert them to line levels. Some use fixed resistors where some use variable resistors.

What LOC are you using? Would you believe that I have had very good results with the Scosche brand from Wal-Mart? I used it to install a Soundsplinter RL-p 12 and a Phoenix Gold Tantrum amp into a Dodge Magnum.

A few questions:
1. How did you set your amp gains?
2. What is your low pass crossover frequency set to on your amp?
3. Do you have bass boost turned on?
4. Are you using a loudness setting on your radio?
5. Do you have the bass turned up on your radio?
6. How did you seal your box?
7. Did you seal between the subs and the box with closed cell foam weatherstripping?
8. How large was the old box? (internal net volume)
9. How large is the new box? (internal net volume)
10. What does Polk recommend for the optimum box size?
11. Are the drivers wired in phase?

I went to the Polk site and downloaded the manual. Using the parameters given I put a single sub in a .5cf box with heaving stuffing powered by 200w. With such a small xmax, it still hits its mechanical limits at 40hz. It will play some rock but rap would push this sub to the max in no time.

-Robert

TomLee

iTrader: (3)

A few questions:
1. How did you set your amp gains?
I turned my music as loud as possible without distorition, then i turned input gain as high as possible until i heard distortion and turn it back doown a little.

2. What is your low pass crossover frequency set to on your amp?
This i do not know. I dont know how to tell. Theres two ***** that control right and left i guess, both are set at 10k ohms. It says Impedance?


3. Do you have bass boost turned on?
No


4. Are you using a loudness setting on your radio?
Loudness setting?

5. Do you have the bass turned up on your radio?
I have the stock navigation, but the bass is not turned up, its in the middle default setting.


6. How did you seal your box?
Silicone


7. Did you seal between the subs and the box with closed cell foam
weatherstripping?
No, but there wasy already a layer of some kind of seal on it before.

8. How large was the old box? (internal net volume)
will get that info in a second

9. How large is the new box? (internal net volume)
will get that info in a second

10. What does Polk recommend for the optimum box size?
I belive it is 0.85 cu. ft. per sub

11. Are the drivers wired in phase?
I dont know what you mean in phase?

Neofate

iTrader: (1)

Looks like Robert has you covered, he is very knowledgable.

To answer one of your questions, a good audio forum and general site is located at www.12volt.com

Otherwise -- With a proper sub configuration, with proper cross-overs.. I only, generally, here a massive muddy sound if the front mid/highs aren't proper.

What I mean is this. Any sub setup will sound muddy (even the best out there). You can try this by going to any of your friends systems, and turning off the mids/highs.. and let the subs play alone. It will sound awful. (as is expected), but generally even more awful than you might expect.

When you combine the subs with equivalent mids and highs it is that synergy that completes the sound spectrum.

So what are you running for your mids and highs? (I apologize if it was mentioned above).

TomLee

iTrader: (3)

I hope im answering this right? Cause im not sure what the highs and mids are..im assuming the speakers? If so im running the Mark LEvinson setup form the dealer. Head unit is the stock navi.

Neofate

iTrader: (1)

Yes the highs and mids are just your stock speakers (all the speakers minus your sub woofer).

I don't know what your stock speakers are rated at RMS.. but if they are like the LS400.. then again, your alpine unit can power them just fine.

The only way they (well not the only way, but most likely) way they would be above and beyond the 10-20watt range is if the factory utilized TWO amps.. one for the sub, AND one for your 4 regular speakers.

Anyhow -- it sounds like everything is ok with your regular speakers. I was just inquiring on perhaps if your sub was 'too much' for your factory speakers and hence was giving you the undesirable resulting sound.

A) Do your regular 'levison' speakers sound good? Can you turn down or off your sub and just listen to these speakers and are they loud/crisp/clear ?

B) How loud is your sub in contrast to your regular speakers at all volume levels? It might be a simple adjustment of lowering your sub gain/output to not overpower the factory setup.

TomLee

iTrader: (3)

A) yeah they sounds poretty good, tweeters are blwon though.

B) I havea a remote colume control.


ANd i just gomy ipod stolen about 2 hours ago. no more music =(.
I dont ahve a CD burner.

19psi

looks like yuougot that kicker i recommended. good choice. i bet the problem is your box. what kind of wood did you use? how thick?
www.realmofexcursion.com www.caraudio.com

TomLee

iTrader: (3)

3/4 MDF! With no filler inside.

19psi

weird. i don't know man, you need someone who knows car audio to look at it. got any friends into it?

TORTOISE

sounds like it could be a nu,ber of things

TomLee

iTrader: (3)

yeah ithin my best bet is to just have someone local check it out


thanks for all the ideas everyone

VM 2

Here's how I wired up my sub using my stock headunit. (Im on a Nak system, but it should be the same process.)

I connected my in line converter to the rear speaker from a line I tapped at the factory amp. I then tuned my amp according to the manufacter. I unplugged my + speaker cable from the amp, and then with a 50 hz track, i tuned my amp to 37.8 volts coming from the amp to the speakers. Then I adjusted the eq settings on the amp.