Some speaker observations
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Some speaker observations
I have been doing some analysis on different speakers.
Currently, my 92 is in a state of audio disarray!
I am in the process of removing a set of Boston Acoustic Z6 speakers and installing an old set of Canton Pullman RS3's.
The Z6s are a 6" midbass with a 1" tweeter and crossovers.
The RS3s are three-ways, with a 6" midbass, 4" mid range and a 1" tweeter; plus crossovers.
I will have install pics later, but for now, some observations on how speakers are designed.
Yesterday, I stopped over at my local Good Guys to get some speaker grill cloth. They didn't have any, but I did have a chance to listen to some speakers.
There were some JL Audio, not bad at all. And some MB Quarts. It was a bit of an eye opener. It's been a while since I listened to other brands, except some installed in other cars. I have been buying Bostons for a while, and have been very happy with them...
Until I got the cantons started.
Today I confirmed what I had learned yesterday.
Certain speaker makers do different things with tweeters. This difference also effects off axis performance.
The bostons are crap off axis. They recommend the tweeters be mounted on axis, not unlike a co-axial speaker.
This means the usable angle one can enjoy a Boston is rather limited.
I did some more tests. If you cover a tweeter on the Boston, the sound goes away. The short story? The bostons expect more from their tweeter than others, this also narrows the off axis performance.
I did this with both the cantons and the MBQs. I was stunned how much came out of their bass speakers... most interesting.
I will add more thoughts later.
Currently, my 92 is in a state of audio disarray!
I am in the process of removing a set of Boston Acoustic Z6 speakers and installing an old set of Canton Pullman RS3's.
The Z6s are a 6" midbass with a 1" tweeter and crossovers.
The RS3s are three-ways, with a 6" midbass, 4" mid range and a 1" tweeter; plus crossovers.
I will have install pics later, but for now, some observations on how speakers are designed.
Yesterday, I stopped over at my local Good Guys to get some speaker grill cloth. They didn't have any, but I did have a chance to listen to some speakers.
There were some JL Audio, not bad at all. And some MB Quarts. It was a bit of an eye opener. It's been a while since I listened to other brands, except some installed in other cars. I have been buying Bostons for a while, and have been very happy with them...
Until I got the cantons started.
Today I confirmed what I had learned yesterday.
Certain speaker makers do different things with tweeters. This difference also effects off axis performance.
The bostons are crap off axis. They recommend the tweeters be mounted on axis, not unlike a co-axial speaker.
This means the usable angle one can enjoy a Boston is rather limited.
I did some more tests. If you cover a tweeter on the Boston, the sound goes away. The short story? The bostons expect more from their tweeter than others, this also narrows the off axis performance.
I did this with both the cantons and the MBQs. I was stunned how much came out of their bass speakers... most interesting.
I will add more thoughts later.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 0
From: Breaking the borrowed C5. SoCAL
Bogus-
One of these days, we ought to have an Audio Tuning Party similar to some of the mod parties I've seen posted in other forums around here. For this weekend I had planned to work on tweaking the crossovers (active and passive) in my '98; but it looks like I'll have to postpone that for now.
I have a new electrical/mechanical problem with my car that came up the other night (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=945280) and I need to do some CNC-machining for a Mid-Year friend of mine. That said, my weekend is shot, again.
At any rate, I'd like to get my front imaging and soundstage dialed-in before I start ripping out subs and amplifier for the other project I told you about before. Maybe we can plan another GTG specifically to tweak on audio systems before the year is through.
Nelson V.
One of these days, we ought to have an Audio Tuning Party similar to some of the mod parties I've seen posted in other forums around here. For this weekend I had planned to work on tweaking the crossovers (active and passive) in my '98; but it looks like I'll have to postpone that for now.
I have a new electrical/mechanical problem with my car that came up the other night (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=945280) and I need to do some CNC-machining for a Mid-Year friend of mine. That said, my weekend is shot, again.
At any rate, I'd like to get my front imaging and soundstage dialed-in before I start ripping out subs and amplifier for the other project I told you about before. Maybe we can plan another GTG specifically to tweak on audio systems before the year is through.
Nelson V.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 2
From: Wesley Chapel Fl
Nelson...if you wish you can bypss the Vats all together. First you have to remove the knee bolster from the car. Under the dash you will find a small plug with two thin white wires in it. That is the Vats plug. Measure the resistance on the key resistor. Then jump a resistor of the same value across those two wires. Vats will now be bypassed. You can test this by having a key made with no resistor in it.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 0
From: Breaking the borrowed C5. SoCAL
Originally Posted by EatRice
Nelson...if you wish you can bypss the Vats all together. First you have to remove the knee bolster from the car. Under the dash you will find a small plug with two thin white wires in it. That is the Vats plug. Measure the resistance on the key resistor. Then jump a resistor of the same value across those two wires. Vats will now be bypassed. You can test this by having a key made with no resistor in it.
BTW, thanks!
Last edited by Nelson V.; Nov 11, 2004 at 04:15 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Hey Guys,
I live right smack in the middle of the good ol' USA. I'd be game to hold the event. The weather will be suckey for a while and my vette is overdue for winter storage. But spring 2005 will come soon, I hope
I live right smack in the middle of the good ol' USA. I'd be game to hold the event. The weather will be suckey for a while and my vette is overdue for winter storage. But spring 2005 will come soon, I hope
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
A corvette audio day? I'd be in heaven. People here shun me cuz I put stereo equipment in a sports car. It adds maybe 100lbs all together, including sound deadening. The bose isn't light itself, nor is the passenger loaf or anything else I've taken out, so I figure I'm not par, but close enough. Too bad I'm on the other side of the border, cuz an audio tuning day would be so sweet.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 0
From: Breaking the borrowed C5. SoCAL
Originally Posted by knewblewkorvette
Hey Guys,
I live right smack in the middle of the good ol' USA. I'd be game to hold the event. The weather will be suckey for a while and my vette is overdue for winter storage. But spring 2005 will come soon, I hope
I live right smack in the middle of the good ol' USA. I'd be game to hold the event. The weather will be suckey for a while and my vette is overdue for winter storage. But spring 2005 will come soon, I hope
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Originally Posted by Nelson V.
That'd be a hell of a drive to turn a few ***** and to solder a few passive components. But hey, maybe if there was some nice cold Heinekens waiting for me when I got there......