System's to "bright"? Need advice please
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 3
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '15
System's to "bright"? Need advice please
I need the help of the audio gurus in here. Yall helped me get all this installed, but I have a question. I'm not sure if i'm explaining it right, but my system sounds to "bright". The highs are almost ear spliting when cranked. And it has to be cranked to hear over the headers, borla exhaust and wind noise. Most of my music is played through my ipod. Here's what i have installed:
HU: Alpine 9857
Amp: PDX 4.150 (powers fronts and sub)
Front Speakers: Focal 165 v2
Rears: Stock Bose
Sub: JL Audio Steath Box
Is there something I'm missing? Is it a function of my front speaker choice? What can I do?
Thanks!
HU: Alpine 9857
Amp: PDX 4.150 (powers fronts and sub)
Front Speakers: Focal 165 v2
Rears: Stock Bose
Sub: JL Audio Steath Box
Is there something I'm missing? Is it a function of my front speaker choice? What can I do?
Thanks!
Last edited by Chief777; Jul 24, 2007 at 09:35 PM.
Pro
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 744
Likes: 0
From: WayTooCloseToNY Northeast PA
Check the tweeter output jumper in the crossover (assuming yours is equipped) and place it at the lowest setting. Beyond that, the Alpine PDX series has some small drawbacks.
The other issue is only fixed by changing your exhaust components.
The other issue is only fixed by changing your exhaust components.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,394
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
Deadening? You can only overcome exhaust and wind noise so much without going completely overboard, and the vette is not the car to go overboard in for an audio system.
Check the crossover jumper like spkr said, make sure your HU does not have the treble cranked up, double check your gains, and to be totally honest if none of those things work, you may have to either:
A) mount the tweeter off axis (either the tn47/51 came with that, harsh on axis, bright to put it mildly)
B) replace the tweeter with something either less efficient, or less harsh, or both.
If you want a smoother sound, look into a Dynaudio tweet, Morel, Seas Neo Aluminums or Textiles (madisound). Stay away from Focal tweets as they are ALL bright (and I have had them all) unless you have the ability to tune and tame them, and of course aim them properly.
And trust me I really like Focal drivers ... I just know their tweets
G'luck
Fej
Check the crossover jumper like spkr said, make sure your HU does not have the treble cranked up, double check your gains, and to be totally honest if none of those things work, you may have to either:
A) mount the tweeter off axis (either the tn47/51 came with that, harsh on axis, bright to put it mildly)
B) replace the tweeter with something either less efficient, or less harsh, or both.
If you want a smoother sound, look into a Dynaudio tweet, Morel, Seas Neo Aluminums or Textiles (madisound). Stay away from Focal tweets as they are ALL bright (and I have had them all) unless you have the ability to tune and tame them, and of course aim them properly.
And trust me I really like Focal drivers ... I just know their tweets
G'luck
Fej
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
From: Dallas City IL
A little different route,
Check your iPod to see what EQ settings you are using. Try setting it to flat, or another settings that doesn't boost treble. Remember that it is an MP3, and that is it compressed some, it won't sound as good as a CD in the player.
Check your iPod to see what EQ settings you are using. Try setting it to flat, or another settings that doesn't boost treble. Remember that it is an MP3, and that is it compressed some, it won't sound as good as a CD in the player.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 3
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '15
Thanks yall.
I think the tweaters are tuned down as much as the crossovers will allow and the treble is at 0. I think the tweeters are at the lowest at -6DB, but i'll be pulling the doors this weekend and will check that.
Can someone explains amp gains or point me to a good source? I havent fooled with that much as I have no idea what it does.
I dont have any EQ settings on the iPod. Can I just add an EQ? The Alpine HU doesnt seem to have those features.
I think the tweaters are tuned down as much as the crossovers will allow and the treble is at 0. I think the tweeters are at the lowest at -6DB, but i'll be pulling the doors this weekend and will check that.
Can someone explains amp gains or point me to a good source? I havent fooled with that much as I have no idea what it does.
I dont have any EQ settings on the iPod. Can I just add an EQ? The Alpine HU doesnt seem to have those features.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
The Focal tweet is much easier to install and make smooth in a C5 than the Dynaudio tweet. - well, that is if you can power the dynaudio set enough to wake up the midbass.
The seas neo silk is a very smooth tweet, but you would give up smoe detail, coming from the focal tweet.
The seas neo silk is a very smooth tweet, but you would give up smoe detail, coming from the focal tweet.
Last edited by Kale; Jul 27, 2007 at 02:24 AM.
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