high and low pass filters
- Thread starter calisonic
- Start date
It sounds like you need to select the right outputs for the filters, maybe in some menu?
If the manual doesn't say anything about the filters, I'd call Sony and raise heck until they found someone that can explain their equipment. There's no excuse for that.
When you do figure out how to set the filter, you want to set the subwoofer low pass filter near the lowest frequency the main speakers can reproduce.
The main speakers will respond to the low frequencies, but they won't be loud as the subwoofer, you want the subwoofer to handle the frequencies that the main speakers won't.
Then set the main speakers with the High pass filter near that same frequency, a bit lower for some overlap.
You don't want the very low frequencies going to the main speakers.
If the manual doesn't say anything about the filters, I'd call Sony and raise heck until they found someone that can explain their equipment. There's no excuse for that.
When you do figure out how to set the filter, you want to set the subwoofer low pass filter near the lowest frequency the main speakers can reproduce.
The main speakers will respond to the low frequencies, but they won't be loud as the subwoofer, you want the subwoofer to handle the frequencies that the main speakers won't.
Then set the main speakers with the High pass filter near that same frequency, a bit lower for some overlap.
You don't want the very low frequencies going to the main speakers.
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I thought the overlap would ne a good idea.
Its an MEX-BT3800U
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10551&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666040163#specifications
The manual states hpf set the cut off frequency for front and rear speakers, and lpf for the subwoofers. But its def not a complete "cut off" since it still made a lot of 100 hrtz tone w the lpf at 80.
I thought the overlap would ne a good idea.
Its an MEX-BT3800U
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10551&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666040163#specifications
The manual states hpf set the cut off frequency for front and rear speakers, and lpf for the subwoofers. But its def not a complete "cut off" since it still made a lot of 100 hrtz tone w the lpf at 80.
I mean this in the nicest way, but I don't think its Sony's fault, I'm thinking this is user error.
Like I said WAY back in the beginning. Put your low pass to 80 and set it to +/- 0. Set your high pass to 160 and to 0. Set your SUB volumne to 0. Turn your stereo up as loud as you would listen to it.
Now...is there enough bass coming out of the SUB?? If not, at some +'s to it, if too much bass and your sub is distorting, turn the SUB value down. Once you get the sub hitting as hard as you want, now you set the treble.
Go to the low/mid/high setting and add some treble (I'm sure you'll need it) by making the high values go up. Usually the mid value will be a 0 or +1. The low should be turned down to -3 or 4 because your subs are now doing the work of the bass.
Leave the Low/High pass filters at 80/160 and at +/- 0 and stop. Turn the car off and don't touch the damn thing! Oh wait....fade/balance the speakers to the right side +1 or +2, it will even out the sound for you because you are sitting close to the left speakers.
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Lol ok thanks j. However im sure the low will have to be set higher than -3. I had a general idea what these did before posting bit since I did not hear a bit of difference with any.of tue settings I thought id ask.
Lol ok thanks j. However im sure the low will have to be set higher than -3. I had a general idea what these did before posting bit since I did not hear a bit of difference with any.of tue settings I thought id ask.
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Not to be rude j bit I think you are getting the wrong idea here possibly, im not really concerned w the amount of bass the system has, I know if I crank the sub up to +10 my vision will blur. Im just trying to figure out how I can benefit from these filters sound quality wise and how to properly use them since they don't seem to do anything at first glance.
I think what I will do is disconnect the subs and use the test cd to see how low of a frequency the interior speakers can produce good, and base my hpf on that.
Not to be rude j bit I think you are getting the wrong idea here possibly, im not really concerned w the amount of bass the system has, I know if I crank the sub up to +10 my vision will blur. Im just trying to figure out how I can benefit from these filters sound quality wise and how to properly use them since they don't seem to do anything at first glance.
I think what I will do is disconnect the subs and use the test cd to see how low of a frequency the interior speakers can produce good, and base my hpf on that.
"I think what I will do is disconnect the subs and use the test cd to see how low of a frequency the interior speakers can produce good, and base my hpf on that."
Personally, I think that is a really good way to start off. Set all of the levels to zero, turn off any "loudness," "contour," or "super-bass" settings the head may have, and just toy with the crossover frequencies.
Once you bring the subs into the mix, you can tone down the bass to the cabin speakers just a bit more. This allows for more volume, less distortion, as the bass frequencies are what make the speakers travel the farthest, and you do not want *any* of the speakers reaching the extremes of their range of motion.
In most cases, audio tuning is more art than science. After all, you are only trying to please your own ears. Find a good reference album (BT's ESCM is my favorite), and tune it the way *you* like. take your time. You really can't go wrong.
Another thought that just occurred to me. You'll likely want to set the subwoofer crossover frequency on either the sub amplifier, or on the head unit. Not both.
Personally, I think that is a really good way to start off. Set all of the levels to zero, turn off any "loudness," "contour," or "super-bass" settings the head may have, and just toy with the crossover frequencies.
Once you bring the subs into the mix, you can tone down the bass to the cabin speakers just a bit more. This allows for more volume, less distortion, as the bass frequencies are what make the speakers travel the farthest, and you do not want *any* of the speakers reaching the extremes of their range of motion.
In most cases, audio tuning is more art than science. After all, you are only trying to please your own ears. Find a good reference album (BT's ESCM is my favorite), and tune it the way *you* like. take your time. You really can't go wrong.
Another thought that just occurred to me. You'll likely want to set the subwoofer crossover frequency on either the sub amplifier, or on the head unit. Not both.
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Luke Tixer said and I've said twice now. The bass on the speakers, OTHER than the subs, needs to be set in the negatives. This will prevent your cheap stock speakers from getting too much bass or any at all. My setup is set to -4 on the low setting to prevent any distortion that you won't hear because the sub bass is covering it up.
Luke Tixer said and I've said twice now. The bass on the speakers, OTHER than the subs, needs to be set in the negatives. This will prevent your cheap stock speakers from getting too much bass or any at all. My setup is set to -4 on the low setting to prevent any distortion that you won't hear because the sub bass is covering it up.
They may be fantastic speakers, but it all comes down to moving air. to do that, you need surface area.
physically smaller speakers are able to respond more quickly. (operate at higher frequencies) thus, the smaller the speaker, the higher the optimal range. (tweeters are tiny, because they move incredibly quickly)
Bass frequencies are slower. the sound waves being spread further apart. So a large, slow-moving speaker is ideal, as you need to push a lot more air for it to be audible. More surface area, more air movement.
the expensive cabin speakers will handle a broader range of frequencies, and more power than factory ones, but it still comes down to physics in the end.
Here's a good reference that can explain things much better than I can. skip right to page two for the "good stuff," but the whole thing is likely worth a read.
http://www.outrageousaudio.com/page_files/speaker_sizes.pdf
physically smaller speakers are able to respond more quickly. (operate at higher frequencies) thus, the smaller the speaker, the higher the optimal range. (tweeters are tiny, because they move incredibly quickly)
Bass frequencies are slower. the sound waves being spread further apart. So a large, slow-moving speaker is ideal, as you need to push a lot more air for it to be audible. More surface area, more air movement.
the expensive cabin speakers will handle a broader range of frequencies, and more power than factory ones, but it still comes down to physics in the end.
Here's a good reference that can explain things much better than I can. skip right to page two for the "good stuff," but the whole thing is likely worth a read.
http://www.outrageousaudio.com/page_files/speaker_sizes.pdf
*Sigh* You're totally missing the point here dude! The SUBWOOFER is for the BASS, all the other speakers are for everything else. MID range sounds WILL produce some BASS, that is why you have mini-woofers on the 5X7's or whatever they are. These should NOT be used for BASS.
I give up. :wave: *tries to find surrender white flag smiley*
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I understand the subs are for bass and the interior ideal for mids and highs. Maybe we have different definitions of bass.
I disconnected the subs and cranked up the 100 hrtz tone w the hpf set at 100 and heard.no distortion so put it at 120 to be safe.
I understand the subs are for bass and the interior ideal for mids and highs. Maybe we have different definitions of bass.
I disconnected the subs and cranked up the 100 hrtz tone w the hpf set at 100 and heard.no distortion so put it at 120 to be safe.
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perfect. Now try disabling the cabin speakers, and crank just the sub. if that sounds good too, (no distortion) re-enable the cabin speakers, and you're done!
that is also the point where I would start walking around the car with a tube of silicone sealant, tracking down rattles.
that is also the point where I would start walking around the car with a tube of silicone sealant, tracking down rattles.
perfect. Now try disabling the cabin speakers, and crank just the sub. if that sounds good too, (no distortion) re-enable the cabin speakers, and you're done!
that is also the point where I would start walking around the car with a tube of silicone sealant, tracking down rattles.
The amp I have right now is way underpowered for the subs (less than half the.amperage) I don't think I can make them distort to be honest.
It's easier to burn out a speaker with an under powered amp. The reason is you clip the signal more often, and that's like putting DC to the voice coil.
Just because your small speaker doesn't distort at 100 Hz that's not a good reason to let it have 100 Hz.
Compare the sound of your subwoofer (with the same 100 Hz signal level) to your small speaker.
If we lived in a perfect world, with perfect speakers, we would only need 1 speaker per channel because it would reproduce all frequencies equally.
That's not the case though, that's why we have different size speakers and different filters.
Just because your small speaker doesn't distort at 100 Hz that's not a good reason to let it have 100 Hz.
Compare the sound of your subwoofer (with the same 100 Hz signal level) to your small speaker.
If we lived in a perfect world, with perfect speakers, we would only need 1 speaker per channel because it would reproduce all frequencies equally.
That's not the case though, that's why we have different size speakers and different filters.
Think of a sound signal as a sine wave.
Now think of the sine wave getting cut off flat at the top part as if there was a glass ceiling.
That is "clipping".
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I see. That's odd though. Seems backwards. But they are cheappies so ill have an exude to buy a new setup when if that happens.
I see. That's odd though. Seems backwards. But they are cheappies so ill have an exude to buy a new setup when if that happens.