what is the difference between on and off axis?

[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

i wanna make sure i get the right definition or something on axis and something off axis. such as a tweeter or mid. also when pieceing together you own frontstage, do most people use 1 tweeter per 2 mids. i have seen alot installs of like 8 mids and 4 tweeters, or 4 mids and 2 tweeters. just wondering if that is a rule that people go buy or if there is a reason behind it. any input is appreciated

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[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

up for a quick answer

 

[PaulD 10+ year member]

on axis means the speaker is pointing directly at you, off axis is the the angle between pointing directly at you and where the speaker is actually pointing.

For SQ systems, less is more - generally we use 2 mids, 2 tweets and 1 or 2 subs. For extra midbass we install 2 dedicated midbass divers. The more speakers you have on a channel that are playing the sae frequency range, the more problems you will have in tuning it. There is the rare exception of the MTM format, but the car interior is generally too small for that setup.

 

[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

well i have been looking at running 2 mids in each door (4 total) and then 2 tweeters, one on each side. then i havent decided yet on subs still looking around on them. how do you know how a tweeter reacts to off or on axis. just trial and error?

 

[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

also i know how to tell what a sub is based towards, or if it is built well and what not, but what makes a good tweeter? like how can you tell where its sweet spots will be, or if it will run well off axis, or overall if it is a great tweeter or not?

 

[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

A few degrees

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

also i know how to tell what a sub is based towards, or if it is built well and what not, but what makes a good tweeter? like how can you tell where its sweet spots will be, or if it will run well off axis, or overall if it is a great tweeter or not?

Trial and error is your best bet. Or head over to diyma or elite and search around for reviews. Any particular speakers you are looking at?

 

[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

well for mids i have been looking at the id oems that hessdawg is selling, and i havent decided on tweets yet. i have been on diyma alot and looking at reviews but its so hard cuz im just getting into all of the sq based audio and its tough to understand alot of stuff without the knowledge they have, and everyone always is debating what the best is and its tough to determine whats good and not when other people say it sucks

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

well for mids i have been looking at the id oems that hessdawg is selling, and i havent decided on tweets yet. i have been on diyma alot and looking at reviews but its so hard cuz im just getting into all of the sq based audio and its tough to understand alot of stuff without the knowledge they have, and everyone always is debating what the best is and its tough to determine whats good and not when other people say it sucks

There really is no best to be honest. There is a best for your application but even that can be biased. It sucks I know I have gone through the same things.

Really the only thing you can do is try a set of drivers installed differently until you can get them to sound good to you. And if that fails try a new set of drivers.

The id oems look really promising I am considering trying a pair myself. As for tweets, look into the lpg 25nfa's, morel mdt 12s, seas 27tffnc or vifa. That is for soft dome tweets. I cant really recommend any metal domes as I have not found any that I am very fond of.

 

[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

now with soft dome are they a more relaxed or harsh tweeter. im thinking they have more of a relaxed warm sound to them. is that correct? i have been looking at some morels but i am not sure how to tell whats good and whats not other then by looking at other peoples reviews and installs. also is there a good site besides like parts express where you can buy individual speakers to piece together your own diy setup

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

now with soft dome are they a more relaxed or harsh tweeter. im thinking they have more of a relaxed warm sound to them. is that correct? i have been looking at some morels but i am not sure how to tell whats good and whats not other then by looking at other peoples reviews and installs. also is there a good site besides like parts express where you can buy individual speakers to piece together your own diy setup

Soft domes are more laid back, you are exactly correct.

madisound.com is also a good place to look for raw drivers.

 

[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

yeah i checked them out a bit too, are all of there prices failry on or is there anywhere else that you can get better without knowing someone or buying used?

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

Prices are pretty right on. Of course you can save used, especially if you are going to be trying more than one set of speakers, so that is always an option too.

 

[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

the best place for that would prolly be diyma right? any other nice sq sites/forums, and how about subs, what should i look into there. i have about 3 cubes to work with cuz i wanna stay under my back seat but im looking for some nice sq subs any certain companies i should look into or places to look?

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

http://forum.elitecaraudio.com/

Thats a pretty descent forum with a lot of the same members as diyma although it doesnt get near the traffic.

The new mags look pretty promising for sq. I have also heard good things from a id, mach-5 and ssa icon.