Looking for some Kick!

Ok, I just installed some new main speakers in my car, and I must say, they put out an amazing amount of bass. And better still, the bass is not over powering, but you can definately feel it.

Note I'm talking about Infinity Kappa 6x9s.

First question for you: What are your mains?

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More info please, post the balance of the system or intended system (and I won't be recommending Audiobahn or Bose by accident this time guys).

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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.

Heh heh, I knew that must have been an oversight when I read it, forbidden!  A real man's speaker!  lol

Metallic, put a lot of emphasis on your smaller speakers.  6X8 or 6X9's would do well to give you a hard kick at lower pricepoints.  6.5 components will do as well, with higher quality high tones.  You can use any size sub, but keep in mind that the majority of your music punch will not come from the sub.  Blend the crossover points between the sub and the mids at about 80 Hz, and you'll feel the punch of the music.  The sub will play the lower harmonics and a lot of the bass guitar and kick drum.  But what you want is the fronts to be able to play that kick drum too so you can feel it in your chest cavity when the drummer stomps the pedal.

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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

run 4-10s in a small sealed enclosure.

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What is the point of 4-10s? I've seen midranges that large .

I say at least a 12 if you want any low down bass, but if you went with audiobahn to begin with I bet you don't want low down bass. Probably extremely loud mid-bass. If that's what you want, then yeah go with multiple 10s.

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Poormanq45 wrote:

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What is the point of 4-10s? I've seen midranges that large .

I say at least a 12 if you want any low down bass, but if you went with audiobahn to begin with I bet you don't want low down bass. Probably extremely loud mid-bass. If that's what you want, then yeah go with multiple 10s.

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At the risk of offending you (and I sure this is going to) thats a dumb statement. There is nothing wrong with 10's. In many peoples cases that is a sub that matches up nicely. I am more likely to recomend a ten to someone who listens to punk music as opposed to a 12 or a 15. That being said though, I dont think 4 10's is this guys answer. I am thinking that mabye one or two tens, depending on how loud he wants, and a good strong front end is what would suit him. I think I would be looking for a good strong set of 6.5 components for the front end and I would throw a good amount of power at them. Deck power wont due in his case, at least not in my opinion. As for rear fill, I guess it depends on what his main goal is. If you just want a reasonable sounding system that can be enjoyed by you AND passangers than using a decent set of rear speakers is a good Idea, although I never recomend 6x9's as a rule of thumb for someone that has sound quality first on the mind and loud second. I would probally be making an adapter plate for the back and using a 6.5 coaxial. As for specific recomendations, let us know what is sold locally that you can audition or let us know if you plan to buy online. Thats gonna help us out.

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double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer

Blah. Recommendations about x 10" drivers etc. aren't very helpful in my opinion. He needs to determine how much space he can dedicate to subwoofers and buy the right subs for the enclosure he can fit. Who gives a crap if it is a 10" or a 12"? Let your goals and reality of your installation environment drive your purchases... not some "x" woofer diameter.

Metallicaudio: Learn what gain actually is and how to set it correctly. A statement like "half cranked on the gain" tells me that you didn't bother learning how to use your equipment. I don't like Audiobahn either, but Audiobahn isn't at fault here. You are. Learn to set gain correctly. Also, if the amplifier has a constant draw even when the car is off, then you have installation issues. Trouble shoot that or take it to an installer.

Here's my take on your situation. I used to listen to metal. Most metal, especially 80's metal, doesn't have much deep bass. You'll want very capable midbass and hot high bass 60-120hz. You made a few mistakes in planning your system. You bought a much larger amplifier than you need. An amplifier like that doesn't make your subwoofer hotter with respect to your mids and highs. Let me repeat that, power ratings do not make your bass hotter compared to your mids and highs. A 10000000 watt bass amplifier will still disappoint unless you set and plan your system correctly. My advice:

First sell the stupid 1800w amplifier. It will be way too much power for the ported system I think you want... and your electrical system.

1) Find and buy a subwoofer with good extension from 100-200hz. We'll cross over at 100hz for you. It'll add some hot kick I doubt you'll get with whatever your front stage is. This xo point isn't ideal, but it will probably make you happy.

2) Find a sub that works ported in the space you have available. For you, we want to work on increasing efficiency. Try to get multiple woofers, if you can. Making your 60-100hz bass efficient is going to be more important for you than very low extension.

3) Buy a 4-channel amplifier with high pass crossover for your mains. You'll need it -and- it will make integrating your subwoofer amplifier easier. 50x4 is plenty.

4) Buy some midbass capable mains. Do a quality install up front. Same for whatever you put in the back. A lazy install will kill midbass. High pass the fronts and rears at 100hz. Don't set the gains yet. Turn them all the way down.

5) Now, Set the gains on the SUBWOOFER amplifier CORRECTLY. Now. Leave this gain control alone. Never touch it again. Leave the bass boost off. Never touch it. Never turn the volume knob on your deck past where it was when you set gains. Do these things and you shouldn't blow anymore subs.

6) Finally, set the gains on the main amplifier. This is where you can give your system hot bass. Make the gain lower on your mains than your subwoofer. This will make the subwoofer seem HOT and loud relative to your mains. This was what you were trying to accomplish by turning up your subwoofer. This is the right way to do it. Repeat: don't turn -up- the subwoofer past where it should be; turn the mains down.



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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder