2005 Easiest Aftermarket Speaker upgrade?

[Missing Lincs]

Also, here's some suggested settings for your radio.

Set both HPF and SubWControl frequencies to 125Hz and the slopes both to -6. Try the sub level at 0.

Are you getting sound from all of the car's speakers?

[samuelodog]

OK - I'll get the lead and then give that test a go.

And in the meantime, I'll play with the settings.

Thanks alot

[samuelodog]

Hi - I tested the sub using this test:

https://onlinetonegenerator.com/subwoofer.html


The tone was loudest between 125 going down to 90. 85 was there, but not quite as loud. 80 was quiet.

Does this sound ok?

I put both the sub control and HFP to 125 and set the sub to 0, but the sub was still drowning out all the mids and a bit of the highs. I turned the sub down as low as it could go and the sound is a lot better, but I need to test properly - but don't want to disturb the neighbours!

Thanks

[Missing Lincs]

The main thing you were listening for with the test sound was to see if the sub gave a nice clean tone with no bumps and crackles. If you got a good clean sound then that's a good result.

As you said the subs response peaks at 125Hz then I would leave the crossover point set at that level, you might want to increase the slope values to a higher value. This should give a smoother transition between the main speakers and the sub. This is fine tuning, something to do when you've got the levels right.

What I would do now is decrease the sub level on the radio. This will allow you to turn the level control on the sub up. The more usable range you have on the sub's level control, the easier it will be to get the balance spot on.

[samuelodog]

Its sounding pretty awesome now.

Thanks a lot.

Levels a lot better.

So all in all - I came in with a budget of £150, and I spent c. 140, coz of wires and crimps etc. Did it all myself, but wouldn't have been able to do it without you lot holding my hand! much appreciated!

[C3CAR]

Its sounding pretty awesome now.

Thanks a lot.

Levels a lot better.

So all in all - I came in with a budget of £150, and I spent c. 140, coz of wires and crimps etc. Did it all myself, but wouldn't have been able to do it without you lot holding my hand! much appreciated!

Well done! You learnt a few things along the way too

[samuelodog]

I just checked the sub's page - it says it should have a Freq. response of: 30Hz- 180Hz

But I can't hear anything below 80Hz. Is this because human ears can't hear that low - or because the sub isn't performing right?

Thanks

[Missing Lincs]

I wouldn't read too much into specs. Your sub might have a response from 30Hz to 180Hz but that doesn't mean to say its a nice flat level response. It could be that it's relatively insensitive at the lower frequency end. The car audio systems that drive past and you feel the earth shake cost £1,000s, have extra batteries and up-rated alternators to drive them. Consider the size of the speaker in your sub and the box itself. Both are constrained by size (to fit under the seat) and cost.

The main thing I think is, is the sound what you want?

[samuelodog]

Yeah, I guess its a big upgrade,

I think its the inconsistency that bothers me - some tunes suddenly blast out bass, others not, but a lot of this comes from the music itself. I think I wanted a warm, deep bass to just 'be there' throughout, but the restrictions of the unit and the music itself mean that wont happen.

Tweaking is the answer.
But overall, I am pleased, it is a lot better, just need to manage my expectations a bit.!

[Missing Lincs]

... but a lot of this comes from the music itself.

I think that's a very good point. Even the same music played from different sources can sound different, some radio stations limit frequency range and add compression, other boost low frequencies to give a smoooooth sound, and listening from MP3 is different again.

If your radio has equaliser settings you can also also adjust these, most have pre-sets for different acoustics eg concert hall, jazz club, pop and the like.

I find that the speed of the car and background noise also makes a difference. If you adjust the sound while stationary it can sound different again on the move. Just don't crash if your adjusting enroute, be a shame to spoil a nice motor with a great stereo