Soundstream Rubicon 800.5 vs Arc Audio XDI805?

[alfmoonspace]

So in need of help with my SQ system. Here is what I have so far, everything installed and tuned.

HU:Kenwood X898

Front: JL C5-653,Q-logic (sound dampened) with tweet and 4in. 6.5 sealed door and foam.

Amp: Soundstream Rubicon 800.5

Sub: Rainbow Hammer 10.

Now to my question. The sound is a bit cold. I know there is a break in period with my components but does my amp have anything to do with the sound? I have a xdi805 that I was going to use for another build but I am tempted to use it in my truck. Any advise?

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[fly_marlin]

What do you mean by "cold?" Is it not loud enough or clear? Distortion? I'm also assuming you're just talking about the components and the sub plays fine? Also, please provide all your x-over points. Running passive x-overs for the mids/tweets, right?

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

Get rid of that SS amp...get yourself something better more quality 5 ch amp.

It's an ok amp but a budget amp...unless your on a budget.

Massive NX5 is a ****** amp...and is a small footprint for the $$.

 

[alfmoonspace]

What do you mean by "cold?" Is it not loud enough or clear? Distortion? I'm also assuming you're just talking about the components and the sub plays fine? Also, please provide all your x-over points. Running passive x-overs for the mids/tweets, right?

Not sure my x-over points since it was tuned by a shop. Sub blends perfect with my 6.5. Mid's and highs are not as warm as I would like them from these speakers. I am running the front bridged and passive.

Should I go with my Arc amp?

 

[fly_marlin]

Not sure my x-over points since it was tuned by a shop. Sub blends perfect with my 6.5. Mid's and highs are not as warm as I would like them from these speakers. I am running the front bridged and passive.
Should I go with my Arc amp?

Don't mean to come down on you, but it's best if you answer all questions so you can get best advice. Don't get rid of anything and don't change anything until we figure out the problem. Can you be more descriptive as to what "cold" means? Do your best to describe as you listen to songs.

 

[alfmoonspace]

No worries mate, hmmm trying to think what is the best way to describe it. The soundstage is pretty dang good, so its not like its off axis or distant, it really sounds more metallically than a warm sound. Mostly vocals. Like when I listen to Hotel California Acoustic, the clapping is sharp and doesn't have a super warm tone, the guitars sound more hollow than realistic. Listening to all different kinds of music.

 

[fly_marlin]

If you have the Arc amp, try it. Don't mount it or anything, just connect it and give it a listen. Also, here's the link to the manual for the speakers:

http://www.crutchfield.com.edgesuite.net/pix.crutchfield.com/Manuals/136/136C5653.PDF

Check the crossover and ensure everything's connected to the crossover the way diagrammed in the manual. If you can't tell which wires are which, I recommend taking it back to the shop and ask them to double check.

Let me know if the ARC makes the difference. Can you take a picture of the x-over settings on the SS amp and also on the Arc amp?

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

The C5s are very warm. Sounds like they have to much boost on the highs. Go into the EQ and dial back

 

[alfmoonspace]

I will take some pictures and try the Arc possibly later today. I have my kenwood deck set back -4db on highs and -3db on mids.

Last night I went for a drive to listen specifically what is going on. First, although my soundstage has been raised from the kicks, since I have a single cab I am guessing I can't get far back enough to have the speakers perfectly aligned to my ear. So the soundstage is right and the middle of the dashboard. Maybe that mixes in with the problem.

 

[fly_marlin]

One more of the speakers could be out of phase (positive and negative switched) or even the woofer and the midrange are crisscrossed (woofer is connected to where the mid should be and vice versa). Any way you can double check the connections to your passive x-over?

 

[alfmoonspace]

checked wires, all hooked up right.

 

[fly_marlin]

Take it to the shop, see if you can explain the problem to them.

 

[alfmoonspace]

The shop said the amp is the issue, just a cheap amp but I thought a lot of people like the rubicon amp. They want me to step up to a JL amp.

 

[fly_marlin]

Yes, you can do that, but I'm sure it'll be expensive. Have you tried the ARC since you already have it?

 

[fatboytyler]

The shop said the amp is the issue, just a cheap amp but I thought a lot of people like the rubicon amp. They want me to step up to a JL amp.

JL Amp will be hella expensive especially from a shop. Try the Arc then if you're not satisfied give us a budget.