2 - 10" or 1 -12"

500w mono > Hertz 12 closed box mid sized

Lacking attack/hit/punch... but lots of low end. Heard two 10" was alot more into the character.

I thought Dynamat would help which it did but didn't totally fix the issue.

More power? 2 10"? The tens would be the cheaper option than new amp and rewire to 1000w

My sub level goes from 0 to 9 depending on the music.

 

I'm running a custom built sub box with (2) shallow mount 8" Pioneer subwoofers in my 02 DC Pre Runner and it thumps hard !!

I'm also running a subwoofer volume control knob so I can adjust the subwoofer easily depending on music


Sub volume control




Custom sub box

 

Don't suppose you have a link or brand/model for your bass knob eh?

Is that the kind that plugs into your sub/amp via an old school "phone jack" plug? Sometimes the bass is a tad much sometimes its not there and trying to adjust the level via the HU is a pain for one song.

I need a better set up than my Infinity Bass Link10x it hits okay but the clarity just isn't there, muddled, a nice rolling bass sounds almost the same as a tight punch.

 

Using a 500w amp going to a 12" sealed box, you should have a LOT of punch/attack.
What amp are you running? When I'm tuning systems (i do stereo installs for a living) I normally have the Bass Boost (whatever it may be called on your amp) set directly in the middle. You also may need to adjust your gain and your EQ settings in the radio or on the amp. I'd be interested to see where all your settings are placed

 

I use a single Image Dynamics IDQ-10 dual voice coil. It's in a 1cu ft sealed box wrapped in grey vinyl. Sound deadened the entire back. All connected to a Arc Audio amps. It absolutely shakes the truck but has plenty of punch. I'm not into rap music so sustained bass is not my thing. I prefer the punch from my subs.

This is my bass knob that connects to the Arc amps.

 

Rockford mono 500. I don't know where the gain is? There is no straight head knob on the sides like the other Rockford 400w x 4.

Last night I tuned / eqd at a moderate volume instead of tuning at high volume and trying to protect the speakers from distorting through cross over points. Distorts after 22/30 volume level. Considering upgrading Hertz Hi Energy to Milles.

 

Note: Tried to tune to a classic vocal so I chose Stevie Nicks. Bump up the Sub vol from 5-7 for electronic music. I was looking for an eq setting I could recall and not adjust for different music. I'd rather just have the eq flat.

On another note, is there anyone who uses iphone to control everything? Songs, volume, keyless entry, remote start?

 

I actually agree but rap is not the only sustained bass. Check out Pink Floyd - Welcome to the Machine. The first minute is insane in a vehicle with good bass

 

If it's the Punch series, there are 2 allen screws on the top that allow you to take off the faceplate

 

Which Hertz 12? How big is the enclosure (interior volume)? Custom or prefab? What materials and how thick? What do you mean the sub level goes from 0 to 9? Could there be air leaks?

I almost wanna blame the enclosure without any more information. You get a good bit of bass information above 63 hz as well...might try sneaking the crossover point to 80 or 100 Hz & see how that goes. Missing midbass could be a contributor. Actually very few midwoofers are comfortable playing low enough to meet your sub at 63 Hz. Strike that thing about the enclosure for now - fill in that gap electronically and see what happens.

 

I had a similar conclusion lack of mid bass. What ever size the front cutouts are 5x7? They can’t handle lower frequencies. If I bump up sub cross over to even 80 I have to increase crossover slope. At 100 hz it’s way too muddy. I’d like 6.5” or 8” in front. That’s what I have at home 2 8” each tower sounds the way I want.

 

Hard to say more without knowing a lot more about all the gear, tuning, setup, etc. It is pretty easy to say though that simply switching to a pair of 10s from a 12 or adding power won't do anything to fix this.

 

Exactly that ^

Like I said, I'm assuming the gain is too low and the PunchEQ needs to be raised as well. The Punch EQ sounds best (to me) straight up, dead middle. If you listen to more rock/heavy metal, possibly even slightly more. But set it in the middle and go from there based on what you hear and like.

For the gain, the Punch series has an output clip indicator on it to let you know when the output is clipping. You want to play a test tone (my go-to is 40hz) at your preferred listening volume and turn up/down the gain till you don't have the clipping light come on.

For the Power series, you just have to play it by ear unless you have something like a SMD-DD1 distortion detector, or an RTA. Or use a multimeter omg the speaker outs and set the gain at +/- 31 volts AC (not DC)
31v AC is 500 watts, which a rockford amp can do without clipping

Before you do any of this though, set all the radio settings to completely flat.
Flat EQ, sub level at 0, no loudness, no bass boost, no db gain on the individual speakers, etc.

 

I'll pull the seats and look at the gain and crossover this weekend. I am guessing you guys are suggesting working more on the amp side with gain and crossover. I have been using the deck to adjust parameters. I read to only use one or the other for crossover not both? I am guessing the amp gain is fine but I'll double check can't hurt. By eqing I am able to get a decent sound but it can only hold 18/30 for volume on the mains.

 

For your crossovers, you either use the amp or the radio. No need for both. I lean towards setting the amp to full range then using the radio (a lot easier to adjust the radio)

Like I said, I think something as simple as bumping up the PunchEQ knob will get the results you’re looking for

 

OP: You don't talk about your power supply. Gauge of SW power cable? Where are you taking the power for SW amp power? e.g., directly from the battery or did you splice into the factory wire loom? Do you have caps after the battery, etc?

 

Agreed - only use one set of crossovers. The head unit probably allows for more flexibility and it's certainly easier to make changes. Sounds like you're using something aftermarket there.

This sounds like a multi-faceted issue, but you still haven't told us what's in the doors and what's powering it. I'm guessing the doors aren't sealed - that will make a big difference. I'm also assuming you have factory drivers in the doors powered by the head unit. No mystery those don't have punch. Seems like a lot of this could be fixed with EQ (looks like you have a parametric), but again, we have no idea what tools you have to work with. All you've told us about equipment is that you have a 12 inch Helix sub fed 500W and crossed at 63 Hz and can make slidey things go up and down with your phone. We might as well be throwing darts at 20 yards at little slips of paper for the answers.

 

Alpine Ilx 107
All hertz hi energy in stock cutouts
Rockford punch 400x 4 and 500 x 1

Dynamat doors, floor, and rear of cab.

No capacitor
Don’t know exact gauge 6 maybe ? Routed from the battery.

 

Talked with some install folks. They suggested looking into the audio source. I plugged into the phone as opposed to wireless/carplay and switched to Tidal app for lossless. Massive improvement.

 

Try a sundown sub, see if you like it. Cheap option.