Sub woofer clarity

[dunkhi]

Hey im new to this forum and had some questions about my system

im running sony xplod (POS) and the toyota (upgraded) JBL sound system speaker.

i have a jl 13tw5 and I'm so disappointed in it, i know its probably not the subwoofer or enclosure but either the head unit or speakers muddying up the sound.

basically im getting great sub response and it hits fine when im playing a song that has a dominant bass line like reggae. or synthesized bass lines like in some trance songs.

but anytime i listen to a song that has a kick drum that is mixed to a low frequency, or a techno song that has a constant quarter note hit, the sound quality depreciates a lot and sounds absolutely horrendous (sounds like something is ripping or falling apart)

if i switch the amp that powers my speakers off, and i step back and turn up my sub everything sounds great. but as soon as i turn the speakers back on its sounds like shit.

could it be because my head unit doesn't allow me to EQ the sub separately from the speakers and just control the system overall?

or are the JBL speakers really that bad?

i am also randomly getting more sound coming out of the right side of my truck. and not my left. so many issues. if anyone can help clarify any of the problems i would appreciate it greatly. thanks.

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[PV Audio 5,000+ posts]

Hey im new to this forum and had some questions about my system
im running sony xplod (POS) and the toyota (upgraded) JBL sound system speaker.

i have a jl 13tw5 and I'm so disappointed in it, i know its probably not the subwoofer or enclosure but either the head unit or speakers muddying up the sound.

basically im getting great sub response and it hits fine when im playing a song that has a dominant bass line like reggae. or synthesized bass lines like in some trance songs.

but anytime i listen to a song that has a kick drum that is mixed to a low frequency, or a techno song that has a constant quarter note hit, the sound quality depreciates a lot and sounds absolutely horrendous (sounds like something is ripping or falling apart)

if i switch the amp that powers my speakers off, and i step back and turn up my sub everything sounds great. but as soon as i turn the speakers back on its sounds like shit.

could it be because my head unit doesn't allow me to EQ the sub separately from the speakers and just control the system overall?

or are the JBL speakers really that bad?

i am also randomly getting more sound coming out of the right side of my truck. and not my left. so many issues. if anyone can help clarify any of the problems i would appreciate it greatly. thanks.

You need a high pass filter for your speakers. What's likely happening is that you're feeding your speakers too low frequencies and as such, they're breaking up down low by trying to keep up with the subwoofer. Tweeters especially can be damaged by feeding them too low frequencies, while larger drivers aren't damaged by high frequencies. Therefore, check and see if there is a high pass setting on your amplifier and if not, you might have to build one.

 

[dunkhi]

i actually do have 3 settings on my amp that is wired to the speakers/tweeters. hp/lp/flat

i keep them on hp.

 

[hatedonmostly 5,000+ posts]

i actually do have 3 settings on my amp that is wired to the speakers/tweeters. hp/lp/flat
i keep them on hp.

Should also have an adjustable x-over to adjust the HP.

Gain might be too high as well, this was a problem of mine a week ago. I was almost certain it was the lack of my amp having a HP or LP.

Turn your volume to the point at which the sub sounds good and is at it's full potential and turn your speaker amp's gain up until it clips. Then back it off a little. Then unplug your RCAs from your sub amp and make sure all sounds well. This worked well for me.