sub woofer clarity - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

dunkhi · 11-09-2009, 08:18 PM

im running sony xplod (POS) and the JBL sound system speaker.

i have a jl 13tw5 and I'm so disappointed in it, i know its probably not the subwoofer or enclosure but either the head unit or speakers muddying up the sound.

basically im getting great sub response and it hits fine when im playing a song that has a dominant bass line like reggae. or synthesized bass lines like in some trance songs.

but anytime i listen to a song that has a kick drum that is mixed to a low frequency, or a techno song that has a constant quarter note hit, the sound quality depreciates a lot and sounds absolutely horrendous (sounds like something is ripping or falling apart)

if i switch the amp that powers my speakers off, and i step back and turn up my sub everything sounds great. but as soon as i turn the speakers back on its sounds like shit.

could it be because my head unit doesn't allow me to EQ the sub separately from the speakers and just control the system overall?
or are the JBL speakers really that bad?

i am also randomly getting more sound coming out of the right side of my truck. and not my left. so many issues. if anyone can help clarify any of the problems i would appreciate it greatly. thanks.

4Cyl'erThriller · 11-09-2009, 08:28 PM

If you can not change the eq for the speakers and the subs seperately, I would think about a head unit upgrade. That should solve your problem. How much power are you sending to your inside speakers and what amp?

dunkhi · 11-09-2009, 08:37 PM

yea i was thinking that too.

its 600 watts.

the amp is some random audifonics. i dont think its the best but it works. i got it for free.

4Cyl'erThriller · 11-09-2009, 09:24 PM

Yeah I would deff do an upgrade to a unit with at least a three band eq. that should solve most of the problem. Also try turning down the gain to the inside speakers. That 600 goes to 4 speakers, right?

dunkhi · 11-09-2009, 10:43 PM

3 band eq? not sure what that is.

yea the 600 goes to 4 speakers. and 2 tweeters. i believe

4Cyl'erThriller · 11-09-2009, 10:46 PM

It lets you change your highs mids and subs all seperately. thats all

gameguru1360 · 11-10-2009, 04:37 PM

what kind of enclosure is your sub in??

Also I would try looking at getting another amp than stick with that audiofonics...sounds like a budget amp similar to Pyle or Boss or Power Acoustik.

Some better brand amps would be Alpine or Hifonics or MB Quart

4Cyl'erThriller · 11-10-2009, 07:09 PM

^ Good point. Also matching your sub with the correct cu ft subwoofer enclosure is also recomended. Plus weighing the benefits of a ported or sealed box makes a differance too. Generally speaking a ported box will be louder and take less power to move the sub. While a sealed box will give you tighter more responsive bass and should sound clearer but will take a bit more power to get the sub thumping. You can generally find the recomended box size on the manufacturers web site. For your sub it looks like a whopping 2.1cu ft. Thats actually a rather large box for a single shallow mount sub. How big is your box?

touringcamry · 11-10-2009, 10:02 PM

Are you using pre-outs to the line in or a LOC?

Have you set the gains and crossover correctly on the amp? You should cut above 100Hz either by using crossover on the stereo or the low pass filter on the amp. How are your gains set?

MrSo0h0o · 11-10-2009, 10:41 PM

what is your LPF set at for your sub?? it might be too high

also, your enclosure might be too big/small for the driver

dr_green · 11-11-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunkhi

im running sony xplod (POS) and the JBL sound system speaker.

i have a jl 13tw5 and I'm so disappointed in it, i know its probably not the subwoofer or enclosure but either the head unit or speakers muddying up the sound.

basically im getting great sub response and it hits fine when im playing a song that has a dominant bass line like reggae. or synthesized bass lines like in some trance songs.

but anytime i listen to a song that has a kick drum that is mixed to a low frequency, or a techno song that has a constant quarter note hit, the sound quality depreciates a lot and sounds absolutely horrendous (sounds like something is ripping or falling apart)

if i switch the amp that powers my speakers off, and i step back and turn up my sub everything sounds great. but as soon as i turn the speakers back on its sounds like shit.

could it be because my head unit doesn't allow me to EQ the sub separately from the speakers and just control the system overall?
or are the JBL speakers really that bad?

i am also randomly getting more sound coming out of the right side of my truck. and not my left. so many issues. if anyone can help clarify any of the problems i would appreciate it greatly. thanks.

It's because your overpowering your highs. It's 600W RMS to the 6 speakers? That's 150W per rear speaker, and 75W per front and tweeter speakers. Your rears, are getting alot of power, also they might not be rated to handle that power. Are they stock speakers? I would recommend on changing them or taking them out if you want to run your system your way. That will help your sound dramatically. Also are your running any cross overs on your amp for your highs? Use it, especially if you use stock speakers. Well let me know what is what so we can all help.

4Cyl'erThriller · 11-11-2009, 02:40 PM

^600 is not too much considering thats only 100 per speaker and thats max not RMS. RMS is prolly more like 40 r 50 especially because it a cheaper amp. Although you are correct if there are any stock speakers still in the car I would replace them with new speakers. I would still think about turning down the gains and see what you have then.

dr_green · 11-11-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CleanWhiteCamry

^600 is not too much considering thats only 100 per speaker and thats max not RMS. RMS is prolly more like 40 r 50 especially because it a cheaper amp. Although you are correct if there are any stock speakers still in the car I would replace them with new speakers. I would still think about turning down the gains and see what you have then.

600W is alot. I don't know what you run in your car. But for highs, that's more then enough. and it's not exactly 100 to each speaker, it depends on how the car is wired.

your gains might do the trick but I don't think it will solve the problem entirely. Good Luck.

4Cyl'erThriller · 11-11-2009, 07:47 PM

I run a 500x4 personally but I am running Rockford amps that will put out more than they claim. Where as the amp that he has is prolly not putting out what it says. And I know its not 100w per speaker but that is total power not rms anyhow, people. Any way turn down the gains and Invest in some better equipment if you really want good quality sound.

dunkhi · 11-11-2009, 08:26 PM

sorry for the late post guys been busy.

but for my enclosure i have a tacoma forum and there is a vendor that makes excellent work. i know for a fact its not a problem.

i talked to another guy with a tacoma that has the same sub and factory speakers(mine are actually better cause of JBL package) and he said it sounds great because of the HU.

my HU only has 1 pre out so i cant control shit. my options are either loud highs, and quiet bass or vise versa. i just turned up my sub and then EQ'd the speaker amp until they clipped. so im stuck with that for now but the sound quality is still shitty... i think i just need to get rid of the POS hu?