Hi, I have HAT Imagines!

[travicles 10+ year member]

Skip the next paragraph if lazy.. just know I am not the most knowledgeable source. To be honest, I am not sure this review will help anyone lol

I hate to pretend to know what I am talking about. I wish I knew what sq is, but I don't. If anyone knows what they're doing when it comes to sq, I live in Louisiana and would like to hear what its all about. Basically, the only experience I have other than the HATS is my Image Dynamic CTX's in my old car with the tweeters pointed straight forward (I believe this is called on-axis). Those sound good "I guess." I mean they get loud and everything, but the sound from the speaker on the left is what I hear most (I want to make it so the sound is smack in the middle right in front of me; I believe that's what sq is.)

To start off, the speakers are nicely built and are probably amazing as far as coaxials go but I am using them as components. Weird thing about them is the reverse surround. I read the reasoning for this, but have forgotten.

Anyways, I don't know if I am some kind of freak, but I like listening to my music basically as loud as it goes unless I am driving a long way. Right now I have 125 watts to each side for the Imagines. I wish it could be a little louder. It seems that the first thing that clips I think is the midbass for instance S&M by Rihanna, it seems like the tweeters could go louder but the midbass starts bottoming out. Don't get me wrong, they go low for speakers, and I may be doing something wrong who knows lol. I have them crossed at about 70 hz 24 db slope. I think if I had more power going to them I would be happier. At first I had the tweeters in the doors, but moved them up to the apillars with each tweeter facing opposite headrests. I liked this way better, and may try other positioning when I have more time this summer. I have my doors mostly sealed except where there are rods for door locking and door opening.

Probably one of my favorite songs to listen to is led zeppelin whole lotta love because of this awesome guitar solo after about 3 minutes into the song..or any led zeppelin song really..of course I like bass heavy songs too but thats more because of my subwoofer, though the speakers can play loud enough!

Basically, I wish I could get some real life help to get these set up to their full potential. But for a noob like me, I am happy with them!

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[Slayerx 10+ year member]

Raise you high-pass to 90ish maybe, might help with the distortion.

 

[travicles 10+ year member]

The thing is that HAT actually recommends 63 hz for these, but I guess that might still help...90 seems pretty high for any decent components

 

[HO-AUDIO 10+ year member]

Well basically the way it works is the higher the crossover is set to eliminate some midbass the higher the volume you can go with cleaner output. This is tru for any speaker since covering the midbass freq is where the speakers work the hardest. I have done many vehicles with Imagine series speakers and can run the midbass crossover as low as 63 hz while running under 90 watts rms and they stay very clean.

If greater midbass is what you are trying to accomplish you can take advantage of HAT's upgrade program and get the Claurus series which both have higher power handling and better midbass response. Hope this helps

 

[travicles 10+ year member]

Interesting, I thought I was just clipping the midbass or something, but I may have been pushing the midbass to its limit... So the limit of the midbass when crossed at 63 hz is around 100? But as I go up in power to say 150 then it may be like 80 hz or so, correct?

 

[Ge_off_me 5,000+ posts]

You're doing it wrong.... I have like 170 going to mine and they don't clip......

 

[travicles 10+ year member]

lol good i thought i wasn't pushing them to the limit! I think I may be just sending them a clipped signal, i need more power

 

[Ge_off_me 5,000+ posts]

What amp are you using?

 

[travicles 10+ year member]

MB Quart ONX4.125 with front 2 channels to speakers and other 2 bridged to a sub

 

[Ge_off_me 5,000+ posts]

Yeah.... that's the problem lol

I'm using this

Sony XM-5046 - AmpGuts.com

 

[travicles 10+ year member]

I am guessing thats a good amp lol, so would you suggest more power for these? also do you have your tweeters on axis or off.. just curious

 

[Cruzer 10+ year member]

To get your sound stage centered u need time alignment via head unit

 

[Ge_off_me 5,000+ posts]

I have mine off.

 

[travicles 10+ year member]

To get your sound stage centered u need time alignment via head unit

gotcha so i would just need a new hu for that... and it sounds like the passenger would get screwed even more lol

I have mine off.

thank you I am going to try that position next.. I was just worried about the output

 

[disturbed471985 5,000+ posts]

MB Quart ONX4.125 with front 2 channels to speakers and other 2 bridged to a sub

Ur amp is fine. Seems ur issue is with the HU so getting something with alil more toys in it will help u balance ur front stage to ur satisfaction.