Issue with HORRIBLE sound quality

[Stingerssx 10+ year member]

Hello, I've been pulling my hair out for the past 8 years on this. Maybe someone can help me.
I have a 2012 Accord V6 sedan, with the premium sound system. I have the original head unit. I got the low inputs (balanced) from before the stock amp and converted them into RCAs.
I have the RCAs going to an Audio Control DM-810, PPI 4 channel for the Infinity Reference mids and highs (6.5 components up front and 6.5 coaxial in the rear) and currently a Jensen XDA91RB powering a Stinger 12".
My issues is that I cannot get the sound right. The bass isn't really there, except for certain frequencies. And those that are there are extremely loud, but sound horrible. Between around 48 and 56hz.
I have been through maybe 10 different setups. All kinds of amps and subs. All kinds of boxes. I've removed the stock head unit from the equation and used two different head units as well as the Bluetooth input within the DSP.
There is no change in bass reproduction. I've completely disconnected the ANC which some people have had problems with. I haven't had the problems that they have. But again, I have used other aftermarket head units as I said.
Now, a lot of others say that they have great sound in their Accords. So I'm pretty sure that the vehicle acoustics are not the problem.
Everything that I have used in this car, I've installed into my Hearse and they sound great in there.
I've done a lot of testing, much of which hasn't been as expected. Like I have tried to tune the amp with a DMM, and instead of getting to let's say 40 volts, the DMM shows 3 volts then "OL". I've tried to use 2 different O-scopes, and the results were weird.
I can go into more detail if needed. So PLEASE if you think you can help, let me know.

Thanks in advance!

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[1aespinoza 10+ year member]

But again, I have used other aftermarket head units as I said.

During these transitions, was the DM-810 used in them all? If not, was there a common denominator in all these set-ups?

 

[huberoy123 10+ year member]

Have you tried connecting your aftermarket head unit (using RCA cables), directly to the amplifiers for the speakers and subwoofer? Wire all your speakers and subwoofer directly from the amplifiers?

 

[Jimi77 5,000+ posts]

The car itself has a much bigger impact on sound than the equipment or even the install, so it's no surprise the same equipment performs better in a different car. Can you EQ out the bump at ~50hz? Are you using some sort of bass boost (at ~50hz). Have you tried reorienting the subwoofer?

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[Old_Slapper]

You started off mentioning kept the factory amp, and put a low level converted on it. Did you remove this converter and go run RCA's straight from the aftermarket deck to the amp? If you have, my then I would say it's definitely the DM-810. Check the EQ settings on it.

 

[Stingerssx 10+ year member]

1aespinoza : Unfortunately the only common denominator is the car itself. The set up I mentioned is the latest. I've been from the stock system, to only a sub upgrade to all 6 speakers and the sub. I've used multiple sets of speakers and amps that I have had in other cars, and they sounded great. And I've used Audio Control's EQS, EQX, and their Matrix. I've dumped a lot of money into this.​

huberoy123 : Yes sir, when I had both aftermarket head units temporarily installed, I ran the RCAs directly to the amps. I also have tried using the RCAs directly from the stock head unit to the amps.​

Jimi77 : Also yes to both. I've tried to EQ out the bump and it leaves me with the same sound only quieter. And I'm not using any bass boost. I've tried to use the 'Accubass' that Audio Control has (which in my opinion is just a bass boost) and still the same, only worse. In one of the set ups I had an LC7i with 'Accubass' and now the DM-810 has it as well. Also, at one point in time I tried different 'bass enhancement devices'. One was the Epicenter. Still, just sounded crappy. I've also tried MANY different EQ curves. from completely flat, to boosted and cut. I can definitely make the sound worse!​

Old_Slapper : Yup. I originally used the hi-low converter on the stock sub connector. Now I am using the balanced low level inputs from the stock head unit that I just soldered on some RCA connectors. There is a long post on how to do this on another website.​

It sorta sounds like at certain frequencies the phase is off. I've also tried to mess with the phase switching and time delay settings in the DSP. With no good results.

 

[spokey9 5,000+ posts]

Have you done any deadening?

 

[Stingerssx 10+ year member]

spokey9 : Yes, in the doors. It made no difference.​

 

[Old_Slapper]

it sounds like it's the DSP.

 

[Stingerssx 10+ year member]

Old_Slapper : So this situation has been happening since the very first install of the sub. Way before I had installed the DSP. I started with just a cheapo hi-low converter connected to the stock sub connector. Then I used the LC7i from the rear speakers and the sub connector. Then I tried the EQS, then the EQX, (this is when I changed over from the speaker level from the stock amp, to the balanced low level from the head unit) then the Matrix, then the DM-810 DSP. As far as I can remember, the stock system lacked a lot of bass.​

Also, I have double, tripple, quadruple, and many more times checked ALL of the wiring to make sure that it is correct.

I've also tried the subs facing front, facing rear, facing left, facing right, more forward in the trunk, more rear as well as even in the back seat. And also outside the car to see if this made a difference. Nothing made any difference.
I've tried 2@10" ported and sealed, 1@12" ported, 2 different pairs of 12" ported and sealed, a 10" L7 ported and sealed, and 2@15" sealed only since the trunk isn't big enough for a ported enclosure. Also, I've tried many different sizes with all of those ported and sealed boxes. There has been no change in sound. Then I take each one of these from the Accord and put them in my Hearse. Each time it sounds WAY better in the Hearse.
I've also ran a speaker cable from the Hearse amp to the Accord sub. Also, I've been through 6 or 7 sub amps as well. Same results.


One more thing that I forgot to mention. I started out with a 4awg cable from the battery, then went to a 0awg CCA, then replaced that with a 100% copper 0awg.
This has been a project of mine for the last 8 or so years.

 

[spokey9 5,000+ posts]

Have tried bypassing everything and plugging your phone directly into the dsp as your source?

 

[Old_Slapper]

Is it a ported box? If it's not ported right, that could cause the bass to hit hat certain tones.

 

[Jimi77 5,000+ posts]

Is it a ported box? If it's not ported right, that could cause the bass to hit hat certain tones.

Could be a leaky too, unless he's used the same box in different set-ups. I've never heard "2012 Accord Sedans sound like poo."

 

[Stingerssx 10+ year member]

Have tried bypassing everything and plugging your phone directly into the dsp as your source?

Yep, tried that too. When I had the Matrix, I tried going with the 3.5mm to RCA connector with an older phone. And with the DM-810, I've gone directly through the Bluetooth. Same results

 

[Stingerssx 10+ year member]

Is it a ported box? If it's not ported right, that could cause the bass to hit hat certain tones.

I've tried all kinds of boxes. Custom, prebuilt both ported and sealed.

 

[Stingerssx 10+ year member]

Could be a leaky too, unless he's used the same box in different set-ups. I've never heard "2012 Accord Sedans sound like poo."

I checked that all were built correctly. The ported as well. Even ran extra glue in the joints. I've built many boxes, so I kinda know what to look for.
I've never heard that about 8th gen Accords either. That's why I'm so baffled.
I've shown my setup to a few different people too. And no one can figure this out.
I've installed MANY systems over the past 30 years. And learned a lot. But can't figure this one out.
I've even pulled EVERYTHING out and re-installed it all.

 

[Stingerssx 10+ year member]

Yesterday I turned off the front stage crossovers, (previously cut off at 80hz). The 6.5s hit pretty good. Could be better. Obviously they dont play really low, they're mid range speakers. But the subs just don't hit above around 60hz. No punch what so ever. Kick drums do not play through the subs. And when the bass hits below about 40hz, you can hear bass, but barely. Things shake like crazy, but the bass filling sound isn't there.
An example is Toto's Africa, in the Hearse, the drums pound your chest. In the Accord, you can barely hear the drums.

 

[Jimi77 5,000+ posts]

Yesterday I turned off the front stage crossovers, (previously cut off at 80hz). The 6.5s hit pretty good. Could be better. Obviously they dont play really low, they're mid range speakers. But the subs just don't hit above around 60hz. No punch what so ever. Kick drums do not play through the subs. And when the bass hits below about 40hz, you can hear bass, but barely. Things shake like crazy, but the bass filling sound isn't there.
An example is Toto's Africa, in the Hearse, the drums pound your chest. In the Accord, you can barely hear the drums.

And you still have this problem with the sub in the rear seat???

 

[Stingerssx 10+ year member]

And you still have this problem with the sub in the rear seat???

No matter what I do, I still have this problem.

 

[Jimi77 5,000+ posts]

No matter what I do, I still have this problem.

That's crazy. Have you tried a phone into the sub amp? Have you tried a phone into the sub amp with the sub in the back seat?