Tuning?????

Here is the set up for my 2010 DC TRD OF: Kenwood KDC-x994, Kicker zx550.3 amp, Alpine spr-17s components, and I'm waiting on a single bm kIII from the new batch. Keeping the rear doors stock for now. The head unit is in, waiting on sub to complete the rest.
The biggest thing that confuses me is all the crossover and gain settings? After the install, where do you all set the baseline to tune from? Do you match head unit crossover settings with the amp or leave one flat and use the other?

 

is there something missing??? like PICS maybe?

 

I'd say that you should high pass the components at 80hz and low pass the sub at 80hz. After you have that taken care of then just level out the gains so it sounds right. Does your headunit have time alignment?

 

Setting the HP and LP at these levels is a good start but be aware that you'll still probably want to do some tuning to see what works best. My past setup used these settings and all sounded good. My current setup required me to overlap the HP and LP somewhat as the bass (sub) output was just too little. I ended up having the HP set at 80, while the LP needed to be upped to 150 to get a sufficient bass level from the sub.

Guess that's why they call it "tuning".... One size does not fit all.

As for the gains, I've never done that worth a crap. I just set mine to consistent levels, around 1/2 to 2/3, and leave it at that. As long as I'm not clipping at the max sound levels I listen to, I'm good.

I think Mr Marv had a gains setting writeup somewhere. Not sure if it was here or in his forum though.

 

Basics at Crutchfield.

 

If you're running active, turn your gains all the way down before you ever fire it up, and then set the xovers. Sending 500 hz tones to your tweeters while adjusting gain is a quick way to torch them.

If you're running passive, hook em up, flatten out the equalizer, set your gains, and go from there. Tuning for most people, unless your competing, is a personal thing. Some people prefer bass heavy, some people like it bright and trebble heavy, just tune it to your liking.

The only real thing, if you ask me, to watch out for in running a passive setup, is making sure you're not clipping your signal at your head unit or your amplifier, and time alignment if you've got it. Everything else is a matter of opinion, unless you're goin to compete.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about anything, I'll do my best to help you out.

 

And, not to thread jack, but at the OKC mini meet I had last weekend your truck came up when I was demoing my active setup for the guys. I'll have to check it out sometime, heard it's sick!

 

Yeah, he was asking for a starting point. I agree that one size doesn't fit all. But I think 80hz is the best place to start. Then go from there!

It's sounding good right now and when I swap out the MS8 for the Bit 1 I think it will sound even better.

 

Hey thanks for all the advice folks. Your input gives me a good point to start. I'm not competing or anything, but the deck has a lot of control with time delay, eq,etc. And I did not want to over do it. I come from the day when you controlled treble and base at the head unit and maybe some gain at the amp. Its gotten complicated in the last 20 years.

 

MS-8 /drool

Let me know when you do that. Might be interested in the bit.1 if I can ever stop spending money on my truck and save enough to pick one up.

 

No no no...The MS8 is in and it will be getting replaced by the bit 1. The MS8 and I don't get along. I have not been able to get good results with it and you can't do time alignment on your own with it so I need something that gives me more control.

Little eye candy though. I wish it worked as intended; had great potential.

 

That's a pretty nice unit but I wasn't aware you could not do time alignment yourself which probably makes it a deal breaker for me as well!

 

Sorry if this has already been answered (I didn't read the entire thread ) however I would not recommend using the amp and headunit crossovers together (I usually use the headunit crossover as you can hear the difference in real time). Below is a link to a tuning tutorial and if you check the FAQ's at the top of the forum here I believe I posted my simple technique for setting gains.
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/diyma-tutorials/33740-simple-way-tune-courtesy-cmusic.html

 

Hopefully I saved you on that large purchase. I almost lost my butt on this unit!

And Marv is right, only use the crossovers in either the amp or headunit. If you're headunit can do it then I agree go with that one.

 

Yes you did and thanks! I think I'm going to stick with my original plan and use the new PIONEER DEX_P99RS

 

Nice!

I'm going a little different and using a bit1.1 by the end of this week.
Sounds like both of our trucks will be sounding good soon

 

You guys and all your fancy toys! Us broke people have to settle =(

 

I'd like it if you posted a little review/opinion on the Audison Bit One when you've gotten it installed. I'm interested in something like this as well. Some of the questions I have would be:

1. Can you do 1/3 octave equalization on each channel?
2. Are there limit switches for sub and super sonic frequencies?

Thanks!

 

Marv, want to make a bet as to who gets their P99 and installed first, you or me?

 

I wouldn't bet on who gets theirs installed first but I would bet on who gets it in hand first