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tweeter aiming and time alignment

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=45821
Printed Date: July 14, 2025 at 4:24 PM


Topic: tweeter aiming and time alignment

Posted By: Donovan
Subject: tweeter aiming and time alignment
Date Posted: December 22, 2004 at 11:44 PM

I'm having a set of Diamond Audio Hex speakers installed in factory locations in a 2001 Audi S4 with the Kenwood KDC-X979 headunit that has built-in time alignment software.

I'm pretty sure that these speakers are "on-axis." so, I'd assume he'll be setting these up where the driver-side tweeter will be aimed to the passenger, and vice-versa (at least that seems to be the standard practice). Is this done in order to help compensate for the fact that the driver side tweeter is closer to the driver.

So, here's my question: If I utilize the time alignment feature, do you still point the tweeters the same way? Or is this kind of double-crossing, for a lack of a better term?

Thanks




Replies:

Posted By: kfr01
Date Posted: December 22, 2004 at 11:54 PM
Unless the speaker is pointing at your ear it is not "on-axis." Fairly impossible with a door location. Unless S4's come with kick-panels they won't be "on-axis."

I like to aim both tweeters at the drivers ear. (I could frankly give a damn what the other passengers hear.)

Time alignment has nothing to do with aiming or crossing of the speakers.

You're right, it is done in order to compensate for the fact that the driver side tweeter is closer to the driver.

The standard practice is simply to delay the driver side woofer and tweeter a few milliseconds so the sound they produce arrives at your ears at the same time as the passenger speakers.




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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder




Posted By: redlight831
Date Posted: December 23, 2004 at 12:03 AM
well put kfr01




Posted By: Steven Kephart
Date Posted: December 23, 2004 at 12:04 AM

Actually time alignment will do nothing for your tweeter.  This is because we get imaging cues in frequencies higher than 1 kHz  from SPL differences, not time differences.  What you will want to do is adjust the level of the closer tweeter to be lower than the further tweeter. 

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio



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Posted By: jeffchilcott
Date Posted: December 23, 2004 at 12:08 AM
It sounds like you have alot of thought into this.   I consider myself a SQ type of guy, but never been this concerned.   I typically try to aim tweeters about 6-8 inches below the headrest.   considering I am building them into the sail Pillar.    
Now if I am building into the A pillar it is a little to hard to aim towars the seat dead on, so then I do try to aim towards the opposite side Passenger side towards driver.   
I typically dont use any time alinement unless I am in need of compensation from the front speakers versus the rears/subs   
I am hoping some or any of this will help you

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2009 0-1000 Trunk WR 154.0DB 2009 1001+ Trunk WR
2007 USACI World Champion
2007 World Record
2006 USACI Finals 2nd Place




Posted By: kfr01
Date Posted: December 23, 2004 at 12:10 AM
In my opinion a MUCH more worthwhile endeavor is working to place the tweeter as close to the woofer as possible if you're interested in SQ.

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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder




Posted By: Donovan
Date Posted: December 23, 2004 at 8:50 AM

Great, thanks for the great replies. For right now, I'll stick with the stock locations and adjust the speaker levels accordingly. But if I feal the need to improve my SQ, I'll look at repositioning the tweeters down towards the woofers (currently they will probably be a good 12 inches apart).

-Pete






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