What are the correct settings?

[Synomenon]

Ok, so I've installed a new HU, amp., speakers and sub.. Now I'd like to select the correct settings on my HU for the audio.

HU:
Alpine iDA-X100
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-e...iDA-X100&lang=en&tab=F


Amp.:
Alpine PDX-4.100
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-e...DX-4.100&lang=en&tab=F


Speakers:
Front:
Infinity Kappa 60.7cs
http://www.infinitysystems.com...&Country=US&Region=USA

Rear:
Infinity Kappa 63.7i
http://www.infinitysystems.com...&Country=US&Region=USA


Subwoofer:
Kenwood KSC-SW10
http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_...ed_Subwoofers/KSC-SW10


Front Speaker Specs.:
Power Handling, RMS: 90 Watts
Power Handling, Peak: 270 Watts
Sensitivity: 95dB
Frequency Response: 45Hz - 25kHz


Rear Speaker Specs.:
Power Handling, RMS: 75 Watts
Power Handling, Peak: 225 Watts
Sensitivity: 95dB
Frequency Response: 45Hz - 25kHz


Subwoofer Specs.:
Power Handling, RMS: ? Watts
Power Handling, Peak: 150 Watts
Sensitivity: 85dB
Frequency Response: 35Hz - 120Hz
Cut-Off Frequency: 50Hz - 120Hz



The head unit has these settings:

Subwoofer System:
Sys 1
Sys 2

"Sys 2" makes the subwoofer "louder" than when it's in "Sys 1".


Subwoofer Vol.: 0 to 15
Bass Level: -7 to +7
Treble Level: -7 to +7
Loudness: On or Off

When "Loudness" is set to "On", everything is louder and you can adjust treble and bass. When "off", you can't adjust anything.


There are also these more advanced settings:

Bass Adjustment
Fo:
60Hz
80Hz
100Hz
200Hz


Q:
1
1.25
1.5
2


Treble Adjustment
Fo:
10kHz
12.5kHz
15kHz
17.5kHz


High Pass Filter Adjustment
80Hz
120Hz
160Hz
Off


Then the Subwoofer has its own remote with these controls:
Phase Button:
Button pushed in: 180°
Button not pushed in: 0°

Frequency Dial:
50 to 120

Level Dial:
Min. to Max.


Anyone know what I should choose for each of the above settings? I don't know much about all these different settings and specs., but I keep reading that the head unit should send lower frequencies to the subwoofer and not to the speakers.

Sorry for the really long post, but thanks for any help.

 

[scott916]

I could explain what each of these settings do, but I'm not going to take out the time to type it. I suggest reading crutchfield.com to get an FAQ. They're usually very informative. Your head unit's manual should have info on each as well.

 

[Synomenon]

I don't really need an explanation of each setting. I'd just like to know which one to choose for each.

It's as easy as typing it out like this:

Bass Adjustment
Fo:
Q:

Treble Adjustment
Fo:

High Pass Filter Adjustment:

Phase Button:
Pushed or not

Frequency Dial:

 

[exdeath]

It's not that easy, it subjective and varies with the acoustics of the installation environment, there is no by the book setting. Best way to do it is with a microphone at the listening position (or average center of listening positions) connected to a spectrum analyzer. Adjust the EQ on the car until the spectrum output recorded by the mic is flat and level (ie: all frequencies equally represented)

The EQ is to bring out parts of the band that are being muted by the surroundings and tone down the parts of the band that are overpowering; the EQ must be tailored for the room/car, you can't just use someone else's settings.

Or you can just play with it until it sounds good to you.

 

[Synomenon]

I've tried adjusting the settings, but can't get it right.

I didn't know it would be this complicated to select the correct settings. I guess I'll reset the head unit and leave all the settings at default. I just wanted to make sure the head unit was sending the each speaker / subwoofer the correct frequencies (ie. all the low frequencies to the subwoofer, etc.).

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: IsLNdbOi
I've tried adjusting the settings, but can't get it right.

I didn't know it would be this complicated to select the correct settings. I guess I'll reset the head unit and leave all the settings at default. I just wanted to make sure the head unit was sending the each speaker / subwoofer the correct frequencies (ie. all the low frequencies to the subwoofer, etc.).

Just leave everything at default or something...I'm not sure how that will actually set it, but let the amps take care of most of those settings. I've noticed my system sounds best if I balance everything out with my amps (frequencies/filters, gains, etc.) and have my head unit set so that it messes with the output as little as possible. Occasionally I'll change the EQ through the HU, but only by a tenth of a setting or similar.

I could be totally wrong...my HU is much simpler compared to yours. You may have to have a professional, or someone who knows what they're doing, look at it.

 

[Synomenon]

Hehe. I posted here hoping ATOT has some of those "professionals" in their user base and that they'd see this thread. Another alternative I guess is to buy Alpine's tuning kit for this HU + a laptop so I can do it myself.

 

[shocksyde]

Originally posted by: IsLNdbOi
Hehe. I posted here hoping ATOT has some of those "professionals" in their user base and that they'd see this thread. Another alternative I guess is to buy Alpine's tuning kit for this HU + a laptop so I can do it myself.

A professional would tell you the same thing. It's a matter of personal preference and car acoustics.

Now go play around with the settings until you like the way it sounds. How hard is that?

 

[Synomenon]

It's not hard nor did I say it was. It's as simple as pressing buttons and turning the dial. I've already played with the settings and it sounds ok. I just want to know if ANYONE knows which settings to choose (based on the specs. I've posted) so that all the frequencies go to the right place (lows to sub. and mids / highs to tweeters and speakers) or does the head unit or amplifier do this automatically?

 

[shocksyde]

Frequency-wise, you USUALLY want the Low pass freq to be between 80-120hz. High pass should be the same as the low pass. This will send low notes to your sub and higher notes to your other speakers.

As far as Q settings and all that jazz, it's up to your ears.

 

[LS21]

okay, heres the thing, we cant TELL you what settings to put because they need to be appropriate 1) to ALL of your equipment 2) your listening environment 3) your personal taste.

it is analogous to asking "what Color, Brightness, Contrast, and Hue setting should I put on my television"?

dont be so defensive. go ahead and waste your money on a "tuning kit". chances are, if you dont understand the background, or atleast make an effort to understand it, the kit wont help you either.

when i first saw the post i was going to write a full page from start to finish on how YOU should tune YOUR system, but i thought of how much effort it would take, and how redundant it would be since there is already so much good information on the web written in layman term; no point in reinventing the wheel


this is a GREAT website: http://www.bcae1.com/

if all fails, leave all your settings default.