More Power=More Harsh

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

your gain structure is not responsible for the harshness. more than likely, your speakers are reaching their limit of clean output capabilities.

or he has a spike somewhere in his mid-range that he needs to clear up. or maybe he simply just needs to do some EQ'ing that his HU won't allow him to do. maybe there is a certain region that bothers him and having an adequate EQ could clear it up.

for example, in my car i made(EQ'd) a dip between 1.5k-3k because i prefer the sound that way with the music i listen to.

 

[R/T Pimp 10+ year member]

Replace them Infinitys with MB Quart PVI components and replace your amp with a US Amps tube amp.

 

[dipitydoo 10+ year member]

or he has a spike somewhere in his mid-range that he needs to clear up. or maybe he simply just needs to do some EQ'ing that his HU won't allow him to do. maybe there is a certain region that bothers him and having an adequate EQ could clear it up.
for example, in my car i made(EQ'd) a dip between 1.5k-3k because i prefer the sound that way with the music i listen to.

that is possible as well. a large peak could reach the limits of the speakers at those frequencies at louder volume levels. a sine sweep may help locate any major anomalies in the range.

 

[dipitydoo 10+ year member]

the amp is not the cause of the problem either.

 

[efm80 10+ year member]

thanks for all the great input everyone. First off my installer set the gains with the test tones Jl recommends(forget what they are at the moment) I know they are 0db. And then you match the correct voltage they recommend by using a voltage meter. Although I do agree with Tcguy that unless you are listening to test tones all day it might not be the truly right way to set the gains, but nonethesless I do not feel that is my problem. I have a deck with a 3 band parametric EQ with 4 selectable frequencies in each band with Q settings and level from -6 to +6. I have tried many different things with the EQ to clean up the rock music with no really luck. I mean if I cut the EQ a lot it does help, but then you are left with a flatter sound which personally I do not like. I hope and do not think its the amp. Its the new JL HD600/4 which are supposed to be extremely clean, which I would concur with that, but I am starting to agree with helotaxi and dipitydoo that my perfects have reached their musical limit. 150 watts to each channel should be more than enough to make my mids and high extremely loud and clean. With the extra power I just upgraded to(80rms to 150rms) I notice it does get louder, but in a way its more harsh and bright now at those louder levels. I am sure a really good EQ would help, but with my current speakers I think I can only do so much. few questions...

1.) what is an awesome EQ or deck with an expansive EQ that you guys would recommend?tcguy?? what you use?

2.)Dipitydoo: why do you say the amp is not my problem?? I sure hope not, I just got it and was so siked about it. The install with 1 HD 600/4 and 2 HD750/1's looks sick!

3.)I definitely want to upgrade my components. I want the best. Of course not focal utopia 4000$ best, but you know what I mean. Was hoping around $700-1000 for front components. Was thinking of the Focal K2P UV. any thoughts?? Its hard because I love to listen to speakers before I buy, but no place in town has quality brands.

4.) Anyone in Las Vegas willing to let me listen to their SQ components? like Hertz, Focal, Mb, ect...?? be willing to hook it up at PURE nightclub for you and get you some drinks.(i bartend there)

thanks everyone...by the way my two 12W7's surpassed my expectations like you wouldn't believe!!! They sound so friggin good and pound so hard I am sure I will be deaf by this time next year. I know there are tons of JL haters, but please just hate because of the price, not because of the product. These are quality subs through and through and I couldn't be happier! (and the new Jl HD750 amps are insane!)

eddie

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

I'm in Vegas, but I don't have a system installed right now. I hear you about nobody here having anything worth a ****. I'm working on my setup with Hybrid Audio separates but I doubt that's the way you want to go. At least not the Legatias. The Clarus might be worth a look. Never liked the Quarts. Bostons sound very good to me. Loved the CDTs that I'm finally going away from after almost 5 years.

Your best bet to hear some better stuff might be to find a higher end shop in SoCal and take a road trip.

 

[dipitydoo 10+ year member]

I'd say the parametric eq in your current hu would be sufficient for typical installations not counting series competition installs. As for the amp thing, without getting into a 'amp sound quality' debate, I see no reason why the us amps tube hybrid or any other amp would cure your midrange harshness problem, as the JL amp certainly isn't making it sound harsh.

 

[dipitydoo 10+ year member]

If you listen to your music very loud, then I might recommend looking into speakers that are designed to handle lots of power and reach high levels of output without distorting. That being said, take manufacturer specs (such as power handling) with a grain of salt...

 

[cx-7heaven 10+ year member]

I have a pair of diamond d-971's from a few years ago that are amazing. I have a sax 100.2 runnin mono to each side~400 rms per side. Thay take that power all day long. If you can find them anymore they shouldnt run you more than 400 ish for the set. I would definitely look at the boston acoustics z6's as well, you can not go wrong with them.

 

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

since you have a 4 channel amp why not go active? grab a set of tweeters and mids and have some fun.

of course you'll need a crossover. you could upgrade your head unit to an alpine 9887 or the pioneer 880prs. either one will do what ya need to control an active front stage. i have an 880prs (since you asked), and i really like it.

either that or just try a different set of speakers. but i still think you might end up realizing you have some peaks and dips somewhere and new speakers weren't the solution. you may need a better EQ and some good tuning to fix some problem spots.

 

[jrwalte 10+ year member]

I'd upgrade the HU. Having TA and a good EQ is a necessity if you want a good sounding system.

 

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

I'd upgrade the HU. Having TA and a good EQ is a necessity if you want a good sounding system.

exactly. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[efm80 10+ year member]

well I have an older premier deck, i believe the DEH-MP780. It was one of the best 5 years ago. Just wondering what getting a new deck would do for my SQ. definitely wouldn't even hesitate to get one if I knew it would help. What does my current deck lack?? just a 3 band parametric, ect..? what exact EQ specs should I look for in a new deck?? and I would consider going active, but have never done it so would need to familiarize myself with it

and helotaxi, thats a good idea to maybe go down to soCal. an excuse to head down there sounds good to me.

eddie

 

[tcguy85 10+ year member]

well I have an older premier deck, i believe the DEH-MP780. It was one of the best 5 years ago. Just wondering what getting a new deck would do for my SQ. definitely wouldn't even hesitate to get one if I knew it would help. What does my current deck lack?? just a 3 band parametric, ect..? what exact EQ specs should I look for in a new deck??
and helotaxi, thats a good idea to maybe go down to soCal. an excuse to head down there sounds good to me.

eddie

a 3 band parametric is ok but it doesn't offer a lot of adjustment. alpines parametric is a joke IMO. your old 780 had a 13 band graphic EQ. the 880 and 800 prs have a 16 band independent L/R EQ.

having more EQ and using it in the right spots can drastically improve the sound. it just takes some time to tune and test and tune again. it can take a lot of time and patience. my system always seems to get better and better with time.

but even still, w/o the help of my RTA, i would never have known that i needed to boost 500hz by 4db and cut 1.25k but 6db. i never would have tried making such big boosts or cuts, and at first i was still hesitant because they seemed so big, but i fixed those spots and it sounds a million times better. i also never would have confirmed my chosen crossover points.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Specs in a new deck...model number 9887 or 880prs. That's what I'd look for if I was going to rely on the deck for all my processing and looking to do an active setup.