bass sounds weird at certain freq's

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

so the bass in my car sounds kinda weird at a certain tone but only when driving with the sun roof or a window open. when i'm parked it sounds perfect no matter if the windows or roof or even a door is open. it makes no sense to me but was wondering if anybody had any tips or ideas. i would say maybe i'm hitting the resonant frequency of the car but it would still hit it when i'm parked so i am lost. it has done this with other subs, boxes, and amps so it's not something wrong with the sub or box or anything.

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[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

It's the car acting lie a resonator. It will do something similar with no subs in fact. Think of blowing across the mouth of an empty bottle.

 

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

and it could make the sub sound bad at certain frequencies at times? when i first noticed this i thought the sub was bottoming out or something so i played the same song at the same volume and got out and looked and the sub wasn't moving all that much so it wasn't that. i'm just stumped.

 

[Immacomputer 10+ year member]

and it could make the sub sound bad at certain frequencies at times?

Yes, it could. When your subs are playing certain frequencies, they are going to be pressurizing the cabin which will draw air in and out of the car through the windows and sun roof. If the air is already trying to enter the car and it's being forced back out, it could cause an odd resonance that is close to the frequency the subs are playing.

 

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

Yes, it could. When your subs are playing certain frequencies, they are going to be pressurizing the cabin which will draw air in and out of the car through the windows and sun roof. If the air is already trying to enter the car and it's being forced back out, it could cause an odd resonance that is close to the frequency the subs are playing.

Ok that makes sense. is this common and most people don't notice it or is it just my car?

 

[luvinthebass 5,000+ posts]

you could also be clipping the amp, who knows

 

[Immacomputer 10+ year member]

Ok that makes sense. is this common and most people don't notice it or is it just my car?

It depends on the car. My car sounds a little odd around 50hz when driving 70+ with the sunroof open and the windows cracked. With just the sunroof open, there is no sound difference.

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Ok that makes sense. is this common and most people don't notice it or is it just my car?

Opening a window affecting the bass is very common. It usually increases perceived output (as well as on the mic). If the 'noise' isn't present with the windows down or sunroof open while parked, its wind noise affecting things I guess.

you could also be clipping the amp, who knows

If that were the case, the amp would still clip with the windows open. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Its a resonance in the car caused by the wind. My Jeep is really bad about it when rolling down rear windows for the dog to hang his head out. It creates a warbling low note that is irratating as hell. It has nothing to do with the system but rather with the aerodynamics of the car.

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Its a resonance in the car caused by the wind. My Jeep is really bad about it when rolling down rear windows for the dog to hang his head out. It creates a warbling low note that is irratating as hell. It has nothing to do with the system but rather with the aerodynamics of the car.

Yep I have a couple blazers that make that same warbling noise with the rear window down. Ive noticed this in front windows on some vehicles with the window at just the right (or wrong) spot too. You can even see/feel the window moving in and out as the pressure inside the car/truck goes up and down trying to equalize over and over. You're right, it makes for one seriously annoying sound. lol

 

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

thanks guys! you guys are great. just needed some reassurance that its not my equipment.

just carpeted (or felted to be exact) the new box i built on saturday. it came out great. my trunk looks awesome now. i just need some lighting in the trunk for when i want to show it off at night. maybe i'll make a thread with some pictures tomorrow.

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Oh... we luv pics!

 

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

Oh... we luv pics!

it's nothin crazy, it's only one ten. but i'm very proud of it. not my first system by any means but it's my favorite one so far.

it's very impressive for what it is. i had no idea a single 10 could get so loud and sound so great but i guess the right setup will do wonders.

 

[Decipha 10+ year member]

just curious -you got any sound deadener?

 

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

just curious -you got any sound deadener?

nope not yet. i'll probably add some dynamat in certain places eventually.