Adjusting Time Delay
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=33665
Printed Date: July 20, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Topic: Adjusting Time Delay
Posted By: markcars
Subject: Adjusting Time Delay
Date Posted: June 10, 2004 at 9:33 PM
Where can I find a chart or calculation method to find out how I should set the time delay (in milliseconds) for my speakers and sub? Both my HU and Sub Amp have time delay settings and I can't find the calculation or chart yet. Of course I read and re-re-read the owner's manuals etc. I know setting that right will improve the sound to near perfection (provided everything else is too) and am looking for it. Thanks.
Replies:
Posted By: kfr01
Date Posted: June 10, 2004 at 9:41 PM
From my Eclipse manual: A = (B - C) / 34 A: Delay time (ms)
B: Distance from listening position to furthest speaker (cm)
C: Distance from listening position to the speaker to be adjusted (cm) Example:
Listening position = drivers seat
B: right rear speaker 200cm
C: front left speaker 50cm Delay time = 200 cm - 50 cm / 34 = approx. 4.4ms ------------- New Project: 2003 Pathfinder
Posted By: markcars
Date Posted: June 10, 2004 at 10:13 PM
What about the subwoofer delay time? Do I set it to zero delay and take that as my reference point for the "furtherest" speaker and set the remaining 4's delay times with the formula? I guess yes, but then I wonder why they put a delay time setting on the subwoofer's Amp, assuming that it will always be the furthest speaker in any car.
Posted By: kfr01
Date Posted: June 11, 2004 at 11:39 AM
Hmm.. Yeah, I'm not really sure .. I'd probably leave the sub delay alone. Unless I'm wrong (always a good chance) it seems like the main purpose of delay is just to get the stereo imaging done right. Since the delay is actually on the sub amp, I was thinking that it _might_ be a turn on delay so there isn't any turn-on thump. ------------- New Project: 2003 Pathfinder
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: June 11, 2004 at 12:12 PM
Are you talking about the ARC controls on the Xtant amps? I am not aware of actual "time alignment" controls in Xtant amplifiers, but I could be wrong. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: customsuburb
Date Posted: June 11, 2004 at 12:19 PM
I think his Eclipse deck has time-delay built into it.
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Posted By: kfr01
Date Posted: June 11, 2004 at 12:27 PM
It was markcars who asked the question. He didn't specify what brand HU or amp he is using. I was just trying to help him out. :-)
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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: June 11, 2004 at 1:14 PM
Ah, sorry. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: markcars
Date Posted: June 12, 2004 at 11:14 AM
I am using everything Alpine (HU, Main 4channel amp, Subwoofer Amp and subwoofer; except for the door speakers which I changed to RockFord' Punch series) and have only 1 sub now. To check the list, click here. The subwoofer amp (an MRD M500) has a setting on it for time delay, which I was wondering why it was there on a Sub, and how to adjust it properly.
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: June 12, 2004 at 11:26 AM
The time correction is there so you can match it to an existing system that does not have time alignment controls. I suggest setting the sub amp to zero and delaying the mains is you have time alignment problems. HERE is a not-so-positive review of the MRD-M500 I found. Take it for what it's worth, but if your experience is similar in terms of disapointing low frequency responce, perhaps there is a legitimate performance issue with this amp. ------------- Support the12volt.com
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