10w3v2's - Is tight, punchy bass even possible?!

[g35chick 10+ year member]

I'm so frustrated with my system. I've dropped nearly $2000 on it and I STILL can't get it to sound how I want!!

I took it to the MOST reputable shop in the area, maybe in the state, but because I'm friends with one of the guys, he gave me a huge discount to have my stuff installed. I feel like because of that, they did a halfassed job.. but I didn't really have a choice. I still spent around $600 to have my 3 sets of speakers, head unit, 2 amps, sound deadener, and subs installed... he said normally he'd charge twice that (I didn't buy a SINGLE thing from him lol bitchy move on my part). Not that I'm complaining about the price... but the amount of things wrong that I've noticed is totally not what I would expect from this place.

So anyway, the first thing I noticed when I got my car back was that my subs were really quiet. I have two 10w3's and used a multimeter to tune the amp (before I brought my car in) and turned the gain down a bit because they were too LOUD. Now they sound like some 6x9's?

Both amps are now in my trunk where the stock amp was, so in order to get to them, I have to take the subs out and it's a huge hassle. I have a Kenwood DDX419 HU and I've messed with the crossovers and EQ settings enough to where my subs are loud... but really boomy and loose. I've always thought my subs sounded boomy and loose, but I was SURE it was the way they were tuned. My box is on the small side and sealed, so I know it's not my box. When I asked my friend (guy at the shop I took it to) he said, "well, we can turn the gain up a little if you want but my guys did everything they could to get the most out of your system"... uh.. I think not!

Can someone explain to me why my subs sound so loose and boomy?

Click to read more...

 

[kramer_212 10+ year member]

what?

 

[cdc351jeferson 10+ year member]

i believe youve had about this same thread 4 or 5 times on here and you get the same answers from people. so is your amp tuned way lower than its supposed to be ?

 

[g35chick 10+ year member]

i believe youve had about this same thread 4 or 5 times on here and you get the same answers from people. so is your amp tuned way lower than its supposed to be ?

Go ahead, please find me the answers to my question in my other threads. I had ONE of my subs hooked up before - now I have an entirely new system, basically. And do you mean the gain? If so, yes... but I feel like this is more of a crossover problem, or a defect in either my subs or amp.

 

[Jroo 10+ year member]

not sure I know what your asking? Did you have the equipment in a previous car so you know what it used to sound like and it doesnt anymore? If not, did you listen to the same equipment in another car and think your system is not close to that you heard? If it isnt old equipment, it may be what your subs in a too small box with the gains turned down sound like. You also may need to check and see if things like a wiring is wrong or a sub is out of phase. You basically have to go back through the instal to see if something is wrong or wired wrong.

 

[brandon_s0854 10+ year member]

There's a lot of places where EQ could cause the problem you're talking about. Check bass boost on the amp. Make sure it's off. Set the low-pass filter on the amp at 100hz to start. You may want to lower it later if you solve the problem. Make sure bass boost on the HU is off. You may find that there's much less bass now. You can turn the gain on the amp up some and/or the sub level on the HU. Note that I did not say bass boost!

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

I've found for tight, punchy bass that you actually have to limit the subwoofer's output and let the mids take over for the most part. That thwack you want actually comes in more at the lower-middle area of the midrange than it does at the sub-bass region. Play around with the subsonic (I've seen some report success having it anywhere between 28-32Hz) and try the LPF at 100Hz like brandon recommended, then start dropping it down until it seamlessly blends in with the mids.

And for future reference, the kind of sound you're looking for is exactly why people advocate having the largest midbass driver you can fit up front.

 

[cdc351jeferson 10+ year member]

where are your lpf and subsonic set to ?

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

Sigh...another horror story of a shop letting a car go when it doesn't sound right to the customer. It sounds like the place is run by some clowns who have no business being in business. I'm sorry to hear they've let you down. I don't know North Carolina but here's a thread talking about reputable shops. Looking for a Quality Installer VA / NC - DIYMA Car Audio Forum

I recommend you find the closest shop mentioned there and start making phone calls. Surely there's a better shop who will not let you leave disappointed.

 

[SourDeez 10+ year member]

Its most likely an amp issue. The subs in a sealed box shouldnt change.

Could be something loose too. Bad fuse..Corroded or loose terminal.. So many things.. thats why you just gotta bust out the tools and start fuckin with shit.

I assume you're a girl but I think you can handle a few screws and nuts

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

Its most likely an amp issue. The subs in a sealed box shouldnt change.
Could be something loose too. Bad fuse..Corroded or loose terminal.. So many things.. thats why you just gotta bust out the tools and start fuckin with shit.

I assume you're a girl but I think you can handle a few screws and nuts

The major issue I was trying to address is that a "professional" shop let her down, big time. I know most people on the forums use this to fuel their hatred, but we're not all bad people at shops. She could make things worse by changing things, at which point the shop can claim no liability because the vehicle isn't how they left it.

 

[cdc351jeferson 10+ year member]

The major issue I was trying to address is that a "professional" shop let her down, big time. I know most people on the forums use this to fuel their hatred, but we're not all bad people at shops. She could make things worse by changing things, at which point the shop can claim no liability because the vehicle isn't how they left it.

they could claiim that either way and say they only do professional work and wouldnt let a car out in her cars condition. which is what they will do

 

[Imtjnotu 5,000+ posts]

seriously find somone around u that is on this forum and knows their shiit and have them tune ur system