not as loud when car is moving

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=116254
Printed Date: May 31, 2024 at 9:14 PM

Topic: not as loud when car is moving

Posted By: thorblizz
Subject: not as loud when car is moving
Date Posted: September 10, 2009 at 11:46 PM

2 Alpine Type R 1042D subs, 1 Alpine PDX 1.1000 amp, Alpine CDE-9881 H/U, 2008 Pontiac G6 GT sedan. Is it possible for the subs to lose power when I drive the car or is it just my ears playing tricks on me. When I'm parked with the car running it sounds great but when I'm driving it seems to lose some power?

Replies:

Posted By: ianarian
Date Posted: September 11, 2009 at 6:27 AM

loss of power? What happens that makes you feel like your power is being lost?

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Posted By: thorblizz
Date Posted: September 11, 2009 at 9:07 AM

Well the bass just doesn't seem as loud or as tight than when I sitting still listening to it. I don't know if it's a loss of power or not. I'm not sure about all the parts of the car that are worked more when the car is moving. Like is it takes more power of the alternator to move the car which takes power away from the amp to power the subs. Just wondering if it was possible. I obviously know nothing.

Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: September 11, 2009 at 9:56 AM

Does it get softer the faster you go? That's because the car is moving forward, away from the bass. Your subs are behind you so as you move down the street you leave the bass waves behind. These are called "standing waves." Try driving in reverse and see if it gets louder as you drive through the waves.

( posted_image the above is meant as satire...)

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Posted By: thorblizz
Date Posted: September 11, 2009 at 4:17 PM

Haha yeah I'll do anything to make the bass louder. Call me an extremist! Ok so I guess it's just me then. Good to know. Let's see, any other stupid questions??? No not right now.

Posted By: soundnsecurity
Date Posted: September 11, 2009 at 5:31 PM

DYohn] wrote:

p>Does it get softer the faster you go? That's because the car is moving forward, away from the bass. Your subs are behind you so as you move down the street you leave the bass waves behind. These are called "standing waves." Try driving in reverse and see if it gets louder as you drive through the waves.
( the above is meant as satire...)

doppler effect?^^

i figure its just the road noise taking away from the bass

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Posted By: thorblizz
Date Posted: September 11, 2009 at 6:48 PM

Yeah I don't like it. I guess I can throw another question out there while we're all in a good mood. If the bass gets louder when I put the window down, does that mean my box is too small and not providing enough airspace? Bet you've never got that question. I think it's at least a little bit sensible.

Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: September 11, 2009 at 7:35 PM

thorblizz wrote:

Yeah I don't like it. I guess I can throw another question out there while we're all in a good mood. If the bass gets louder when I put the window down, does that mean my box is too small and not providing enough airspace? Bet you've never got that question. I think it's at least a little bit sensible.

The boominess you hear may be because of enclosure size, but the sound changing with windows going up or down is normal, since the inside of your vehicle is part of the subwoofer system. Sometimes it gets louder, sometimes it gets softer. That's why the science of building a proper system must include the characteristics of the vehicle you're using, especially if your goal is maximum SPL. And I hear that question all the time. posted_image

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Posted By: thorblizz
Date Posted: September 11, 2009 at 8:10 PM

Ah ok. Very interesting stuff. Whenever I get the money to get it perfect, I will go nowhere but this forum. You guys are a huge help. I have another question. I just looked at the specs on my car and the car is equipped with a 125-amp alternator. I looked at the power wire chart and it said 1000 watts of RMS power draws 160 amps. I'm obviously lacking power in the alternator, but is this damaging the car or the system in any way? How important is an alternator upgrade?

Posted By: mgd man
Date Posted: September 13, 2009 at 11:59 AM

thorblizz wrote:

2 Alpine Type R 1042D subs, 1 Alpine PDX 1.1000 amp, Alpine CDE-9881 H/U, 2008 Pontiac G6 GT sedan. Is it possible for the subs to lose power when I drive the car or is it just my ears playing tricks on me. When I'm parked with the car running it sounds great but when I'm driving it seems to lose some power?

A good fix could be to dynamat the vehicle. And in general perspective, you actually get more consistent power from your vehicle when you run your motor anything over idle rpm's.

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