Sub woofer clarity

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 (got it from Marv) 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.

 

put new front door speakers in. i had the same problem and now it sounds awsome

 

From my experience with systems, you really need a headunit to adjust your EQ, all of my systems I have built sounded like crap until I adjusted the EQ.

 

yea i only have one pre out. so i cant even control balance or fade.

what HU do u suggest i get if i want to get the best possible sound out of my subwoofer clairty and loudness?

 

i have a JVC headunit (only $110) and woork great i just turned up the hz on the amp to 3/4 max and then on the headunit -5 bass and +6 treble this way i get good highs and not much bass out of speakers so all bass comes from the sub therefore much clearer sound

hope this helps

 

sounds like your sub isn't traveling right and isn't getting deep. its just how sony is with their subs, they aren't really good quailty subs, like duals lol. If i were you go with a rockford fosgate

 

check the wiring and make sure they are all connected solidly. Kenwood makes good a HU.

I'm a little confused. Do you only have 1 amp powering your door speakers and sub?

 

no i have a 1000 watt amp powering the sub

and a 600 watt amp powering the speakers.

 

How do you have 2 amps connected to the HU with only one pre out?

 

I have a Pioneer HU that comes with a mic that you plug in and let it set the system for you. I would guess other units do it too, mine was around $200 and the difference in sound when you let it set up the system is huge. I think a HU change would make a significant sound improvement for you.

 

they wired both amps together i guess into one RCA

ok cool. yea i want the 3 eq and stuff.

whats a good way to look for a HU becuase im not exactly sure what im looking for. i dont need anything flashy just quality

 

best way is to look throught the brands i guess (if online) ill list some for ya.
JVC
JL
Pioneer
Alpine
Clarion
Sony
Kenwood


i knnow there is hundreds im misssing i just cant think of them right now. you could also look through websites like crutchfeild that have a big listing of all kinds of brands and such.

 

that's not good. you need an HU with a pre out just for the sub amp and another for the speaker amp. Otherwise it will send the high frequencies to the sub amp as well as the speaker amp and the low frequencies to the speaker amps as well as the sub amp.

Just get yourself a better HU and it should sound a lot better.

 

sweet ill take a look thanks

yea i just was hoping there was away around not getting a new HU cause those are a bit pricey : /

 

Blowham is right on the money. Most head units that have multiple RCA's have a set dedicated to the sub for splitting out the low frequencies, and sending the rest to the other speakers. If you are running everything off one set, no wonder it doesnt sound like it should.
Get a better HU and you will be all set. You dont have to spend a ton, just look for one with separate RCA's and you will be much better off.

 

3 pre outs right?

2 rcas?

 

Yeah, most come with one set for the rears and one for the fronts, and then a separate set for the sub.

 

What's your LP xover setting for the sub? Have you tried going lower?

 

yea for now. instead of adjusting the sub to the speaker volume. i adjust the speaker volume to the sub. so the subs loud as shit. hi/mids are quiet. but its not as muddy or clipping anymore. temporary fix X/