Clipping vs lead slap vs bottoming out

[Ronoman 10+ year member]

I have 2 PSI 12s on an Alpine MRX1100 and ever since I started I've been struggling to set my gain properly. So last week I ordered a DD1 and set my subwoofer gains with it. I am now very confident that my gains are proper now.. but there is a sound my PSI's make that scares me. When I really have it cranked they make a sort of ting or knock sort of sound... I am almost certain that its not clipping because I set my gain with a DD1 and I dont use any bass boosts anymore... The woofers make the noise when they are really moving.. but with only 500 or so watts I didnt think I could bottom them out.. So my conclusion is that it's lead slap, but I'm not sure what that sounds like..

Any help?

*Random Info* In my previous system I had the same amp powering 2 Alpine type-R's.. and they made the EXACT same knock sort of noise.

*Random info 2* I have a 4.0cu ft box build by Brian Horton tuned to 33hz. The subs still make that sound above 33hz.

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[Side Show 10+ year member]

same box for both setups? same car for both setups?

 

[Ronoman 10+ year member]

same box for both setups? same car for both setups?

Same car.. but different box.

My first build was 2 Alpine 10s in a crappy prefab box.

The second time around I got the PSI's in a good box.

 

[Side Show 10+ year member]

with it making that noise, go into the back of the car and start to put pressure on platic parts/seats/roof/parcel shelf ect ect ect, you'll prob find when your getting to a certain vol or freq your sub starts to make a noise. I no my plastic panel that holds the roof liner up at the back near the parcel shelf above the ear window makes a load as snapping noise when I crank it..... freaked me out for ages

 

[Ronoman 10+ year member]

with it making that noise, go into the back of the car and start to put pressure on platic parts/seats/roof/parcel shelf ect ect ect, you'll prob find when your getting to a certain vol or freq your sub starts to make a noise. I no my plastic panel that holds the roof liner up at the back near the parcel shelf above the ear window makes a load as snapping noise when I crank it..... freaked me out for ages

So you're thinking its the car?

That's what I thought.. but it gets louder and louder as I put my ear towards the woofer... Tomorrow I think I'll film a little video to see if I can detect the sound?

 

[Side Show 10+ year member]

what car is it in bud?

 

[Ronoman 10+ year member]

what car is it in bud?

A 2012 Chrysler 200.

 

[Side Show 10+ year member]

yeah check the panel at the top of the window inside the car. also the side platic parts. if its coming from the subs, does it come from both or just one? some subs have got duel dust caps... one may have detached.

 

[Ronoman 10+ year member]

yeah check the panel at the top of the window inside the car. also the side platic parts. if its coming from the subs, does it come from both or just one? some subs have got duel dust caps... one may have detached.

Hmmm I never checked if it was both or not.. I was thinking about playing them outside of the car.. Just to be sure that it would be the car. Tomorrow I'll find somewhere abandoned to go and play around with it, I'm just always afriad to crank my system because I don't want to damage my PSI's.. I'll come back to this thread after I look into this a little more. Thanks for the help man!

 

[Staynlean 10+ year member]

What are your subs now and exact enclosure size again? I'm not sure I follow from the Op, the box it's sf may be the problem.

 

[Ronoman 10+ year member]

What are your subs now and exact enclosure size again? I'm not sure I follow from the Op, the box it's sf may be the problem.

2 Loaded 12in PSI platform 1s

In a 4.0 cubic foot box built for my PSI's by Brian Horton (from StarrMountainSound)

He told me it is tuned to 33hz.

 

[Side Show 10+ year member]

try make that vid and ask him what he thinks it could be, also send the link to PSI, they should no what it is if it is the sub at all

 

[Side Show 10+ year member]

Hmmm I never checked if it was both or not.. I was thinking about playing them outside of the car.. Just to be sure that it would be the car. Tomorrow I'll find somewhere abandoned to go and play around with it, I'm just always afriad to crank my system because I don't want to damage my PSI's.. I'll come back to this thread after I look into this a little more. Thanks for the help man!

not a drama man, I no how frustrating it can be (be very careful I don't want you to damage any of your gear either)

 

[Colossus281 10+ year member]

I have the same car. And I to have the same problem. I found that the plastic piece where you strap in a car seat on top of the back inside the car was making that sound.

 

[SPLaudio 5,000+ posts]

use a longer speaker wire and play outside of the car. if still hear freeair a woofer...