Tuning in the C5 environment.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Tuning in the C5 environment.
So i hooked up my laptop to the head unit, to use tone generator software.
I checked each tone that the head unit could modify, and had these results:
freq - dbA
125 84
200 90
315 94
500 86
800 91
1250 100
2000 100
3150 102
5000 112
8000 108
12500 94
As you can see, its in the range of 84-112db. This is huge.
So basically, I boosted 125 +1, 500 +2, and cut the living **** out of1250-8000. It sounded pretty strange. Like the tweeters were blocked.
I did some 'sounds good' adjustments, and brought a few a little higher, and got a thicker, warmer sound. Listened to a lot of music, flat vs eqd. It definitely had a warmer, smoother sound, more what I was looking for.
Well, then I happened to find my old Alpine 3401 7 band parametric EQ...
I messed with it for hours, 100hz steps, and just couldn't get anywhere with the db meter - I think I need a real RTA to use this thing.
To people who have done serious eq work in a C5 - where did you find the problem frequencies?
I checked each tone that the head unit could modify, and had these results:
freq - dbA
125 84
200 90
315 94
500 86
800 91
1250 100
2000 100
3150 102
5000 112
8000 108
12500 94
As you can see, its in the range of 84-112db. This is huge.
So basically, I boosted 125 +1, 500 +2, and cut the living **** out of1250-8000. It sounded pretty strange. Like the tweeters were blocked.
I did some 'sounds good' adjustments, and brought a few a little higher, and got a thicker, warmer sound. Listened to a lot of music, flat vs eqd. It definitely had a warmer, smoother sound, more what I was looking for.
Well, then I happened to find my old Alpine 3401 7 band parametric EQ...
I messed with it for hours, 100hz steps, and just couldn't get anywhere with the db meter - I think I need a real RTA to use this thing.
To people who have done serious eq work in a C5 - where did you find the problem frequencies?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,394
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
Hmm I am surprised that 500hz was such a dip, that could very well be a problem area in a c5 interior. I would be willing to bet that the jump from 800-1250 was not quite so severe if you had 1k on the chart, which I would bet would fall into the 95ish db area. (very common frequency, falls into a lot of instrument and voice ranges)
I have yet to conquer mine with the eq as I have not gotten my A pillars squared away yet. I have to admit I just picked up a set of AR headers and have been doing the install heh.
Fej
I have yet to conquer mine with the eq as I have not gotten my A pillars squared away yet. I have to admit I just picked up a set of AR headers and have been doing the install heh.
Fej
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
have you considered boosting some of those lower frequencies?
I wonder if this is a secondary result of all the sound deadener? Perhaps some of the lows are being absorbed, and the mids/highs are being reflected/amplified some how.
I have always tuned to my ear... I figure I have to enjoy it, not some RTA!
I wonder if this is a secondary result of all the sound deadener? Perhaps some of the lows are being absorbed, and the mids/highs are being reflected/amplified some how.
I have always tuned to my ear... I figure I have to enjoy it, not some RTA!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
yeah, i can hear distortion then, though. im not abig fan of boosting.
I like the rta approach, because it can fix problems that are really hard to track down by ear - and if you use parametric, its a must.
I like the rta approach, because it can fix problems that are really hard to track down by ear - and if you use parametric, its a must.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Well, I ordered an XLR pre-amp, got a Behringer etc8000 mic, and I'm picking up some GREAT rta software.
I'd be happy to help anyone in the Roseville/Sacramento area with tuning once I have this all together and calibrated.
I'd be happy to help anyone in the Roseville/Sacramento area with tuning once I have this all together and calibrated.
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Looks like the preamp arrives tomorrow. I'll post again once I've got it all figured out.
ps- i fixed my harshness issue. I **SLIGHTLY** adjusted the angle of the TN51s away from me, and they are super smooth now. Focal.
Also, at this point, if my car was as quiet on the road as it is parked, I'd have no use for a subwoofer.
Also, I mentioned in email to Focal that I los tmy xover covers, they sent me new FREE ones fast.
Customer for life.
ps- i fixed my harshness issue. I **SLIGHTLY** adjusted the angle of the TN51s away from me, and they are super smooth now. Focal.
Also, at this point, if my car was as quiet on the road as it is parked, I'd have no use for a subwoofer.
Also, I mentioned in email to Focal that I los tmy xover covers, they sent me new FREE ones fast.
Customer for life.
gotta love good customer service keep us posted on your findings once you learn your way around your new toys
