Why does my system sound like crap? HELP!!!

[fz3r0 10+ year member]

Hello guys,

Im working on my first real car audio project in my recently aquired 2002 dodge neon se. My whole setup right now I pretty much got for free from my friends, old equipment that they didnt use anymore. My problem is that my bass sounds real sloppy and like a hammer hitting a solid piece of wood, "flat", bass notes that just rattle everything, ESPECIALLY my trunk, no real SQ, just loud "Humms", not a clean "Boom BoomBoomboom" sound. I know most of you will laugh at my setup, but my question is what should I upgrade first, such as what would make the biggest difference first? I am a full time college student and funds are limmited, so please try to keep each part around $150. I think its the subs but im not sure, the bass just dosent seem right. Here is my setup

A) Pionner DEH-1700 Headunit from bestbuy ($80)

A2) Sony Xplod 1000w 2channel amp from wal-mart, 176wrms to each channel @ 4 ohms

B) 2 12" Lightning audio subwoofers purchased from wal-mart 2 some years ago, all I know is they cost around $60-70 each

C) Nice sealed box i recently purchased from a nearbuy car audio store for 2 12"s, very nice box - $100

D) 1400watt Scoche wiring kit from wal-mart

E) stock front speakers

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I just dont know exactly what is the problem, i think its a combination of things, but you guys know more than I do lol.

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[Twistid 5,000+ posts]

My problem is that my bass sounds real sloppy and like a hammer hitting a solid piece of wood,

bottoming out... or blown... check your gain settings ...

 

[scplayboy00 10+ year member]

Get rid of the subs. Get a sub that will go to 2 ohms cuz that amp does 500rms at 2 ohms.

 

[fz3r0 10+ year member]

I dont know how to set the gains right, but its about halfway up on the amp, more and it sounds sloppy/distorted, any less and it gets quite

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

It's all crappy equipment. If you use crappy equipment, you'll get crappy output. Simple as that.

 

[fz3r0 10+ year member]

I know its crappy, I stated that in my thread. My question was what to replace first as I am on a limited budget.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

I'd start out replacing the subwoofers. Off a limited budget, I would recommend the Mach 5 Audio MAW 12's. Excellent bang for the buck drivers. The Sony amp may not be pushing them to their full potential, but it ought to do. Also, since they're dual 4 ogm drivers, you can bridge the amp at 4 ohms to the subs to utilize the full power of the amp.

I've got a MAW 12, and for the price, it cannot be beaten. It probably outperforms woofers that are twice its cost. Very, very solid woofers.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

Then the next step would be to build a better box. Sealed boxes are nice and all, but a properly sized and tuned box for a pair of 12's can be built for ~$40, including the wood, glue, screws and caulk. A proper ported box would greatly increase the output of the woofers.

 

[acold7dusta 10+ year member]

i think sound deadener would be the absolutely necessary as well, if all you hear is rattles

 

[Twistid 5,000+ posts]

i say new amp... i bet that sony amp dosent put out more than 200 watt rms... just because no one on here does not like sony x-plod subwoofers doesnt mean that you wont... and if you gave them some decent power it would sound alright until you've saved up enough money to buy something better

 

[champaned_out 10+ year member]

I personally have not heard Mach5 subwoofers but everyone on this forum seems to have nothing but positive output about them. They are definetly your best choice as far as bang for the buck.

+1

 

[luvinthebass 5,000+ posts]

number one the dude is usin a Sony amp so its gonna be crappy

 

[Team Hammer 10+ year member]

Stuff that box with some fiber fill say 50% maybe more.

Ask some peeps here if that got a good Sub forsale to replace that one.

 

[luvinthebass 5,000+ posts]

Lightning Audio subs **** ***, i've owned a few from walmart, they put a 750 watt max power on em, heh what a crock of shit, they couldn't even get low and loud in a 1.25 cu ft sealed box. i had alot of fun with that setup

 

[rlcowboy 10+ year member]

Everyone's comments are right! You do get what you pay for! If you are limited in your funds department you can always look on ebay and get stuff half price or better, and that's for some stuff NEW! Just deal with folks that have lots of positive feedback! Sony makes some good elctronic equipment but not considered that great in the car audio world. For the set up you have right now there is'nt too much u can do but check your crossover settings, dont know if that amp has the settings on it or if your deck has them or both? Anyway make sure your low pass filter is set no higher than 80hz, that's usualy a good setting and make sure your gain is not all the way up. If your crossover settings are not set properly it will make your system sound like crap. I totally agree with the guy that was talking about your box, $100 for a box, u could have really saved some money there. Materials would'nt cost too much, a sheet of MDF is about $20 and $3-5 for wood glue & screws, and we can help you come up with good design, ported or sealed. Also you might look into some sound deadner for the rattle. You can buy a nice used 500w amp for $150-$200 all day long! I have a JL Audio e1400 sub amp 500w that I am selling for$185 and it's MINT & in the box, but look around on here and Ebay, you will find some good deals. Go to some shops and listen to some speaker you like and go from there. Remember if you just put all your focus on your subs and sub amp that's all you're going to hear, a-lot of bass. Try to balance it out some. Once you get your subs like you want look into a decent four chanel amp and some decent two way speakers (coaxils) and you will be amazed at the diference it will make. Good luck and keep us posted!