Processor

Hello guys,

I have posted several problems here and have fixed all but 1 (by replacing a defective Eclipse head unit).

I have been in the audio game for about 10 years, but am by no means an audiophile. My basic configuration has always been 4 channels of highs and 2 subs (yes, 2 comps up front and 2 in back... one day I'll change this but not today). I have never used a processor working off of the single din Pioneers I have used in the past. The Eclipse AVN 6620 is the first time I've tried another manufacturer.

Right now I have 2 Focal component sets (165k2s) running off a Precision power PCX-480. In the small space I am able to get every frequency sounding "acceptable" except the low-mids (around 80-200hz). I have turned these frequencies all the way down on the built in EQ and they are still a bit overpowering (to the point that I have to use the crossover on the PPI to get rid of some of it). Here's how my EQ looks, heh.

80/200/500/1k/1.5k/3k/6k/12k

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My only conclusion is that this Eclipse head unit simply requires a processor to sound it's best. Would this be a correct assumption? Why is there such a problem with running full range on highs and just EQing out the lower frequencies (like on pioneer HUs)

So far I'm happy with the sub response and how surround sounds in movies.

Low volume sounds great
Med volumes sounds great
Very high volume = a clearly overpowered low-mid and, on some songs it causes crappyness (distortion).

 

Thinking you might get ahold of an excellent directional mic, and a scope / spectrum analyzer. See if you can find what in the room is resonating at mid freqs (in effect amping it).

I've never been a fan of trying to equalize sound. 99% of the time I found it's an issue with the room, it's furnishings, or occasionally spikes and lows in my ears' hearable range.

I run Klipsch Cornwalls, a Klipsch center, Klipsch 18" sub, and JBL rears (the JBLs very closely matched the Klipsch rear tone and were less than half the price). Electronics are all Onkyo and Carver.

 

My bad... This is car audio i'm talking about. I have considered tampering with the phasing of the speakers. I usually have a passenger so phasing for the driver isn't my goal. Resonating low-mids would certainly explain it, but without a processor it's either in phase or reverse phase.

 

I should have caught you were talking car audio when you said "single DIN Pioneer", my bad too.

I'd think the glass would tend to amplify the highs more than the mids, mids being more likely to make the glass move with them and not reflect as much. Perhaps it's reflecting both, but the interior is soaking up more of the highs and making the mids seems louder.

Does the problem change with the windows down?

 

Absolutely... The stereo sounds completely different with windows down. I would say it's less of a problem with the windows down (although the tweeters blow right out the window with nothing to reflect off of). 08' Tacoma is the worst vehicle for acoustics i have ever owned.

 

Yeah it sounds like it's the reflections off the windows. Maybe some good thick window tinting on the inside of them would dampen it some. Short of that driving with the windows down (obviously not a solution).

Bob Carver did some pretty good research into speaker phasing, standing wave cancellation and surrounding environment effects. Maybe do a google search for his papers (unless his bi-otch ex wife got control of those too).

 

Do you think relocating the tweeters would help? Possibly to the kick panels?

Like you said, changing things around in the back could help...

 

Relocating the tweeters to the kick panels would stop the echo problem, but unfortunately ankles weren't biologically designed to hear sound (please know I'm not putting you down there!). Perhaps moving them into surface mount enclosures and mounting them at the corners of the dash facing rear and slightly angled inwards. It was the only acceptable solution to my 84 Toyota regular cab...the thing was all glass in the cab.