Upgrade speakers before subwoofer?
10-21-2009, 03:46 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Upgrade speakers before subwoofer?
Hey guys, I have an alpine 9886 headunit and that's it. When I turn it up a little bit the bass distorts my sound, making it sound like complete crap. I have a feeling it's because the headunit is sending out too much power to my speakers?? I was was wondering if getting like a 10 inch subwoofer would solve that, or would you guys recommend upgrading the stock speakers first?
Cause I THINK my stock speakers can handle more volume, just not bass. I know on the headunit I can turn down the bass and turn the subwoofer up. I have none right now so adjusting that volume doesn't do anything. I'm a total noob when it comes to audio equipment so sorry if what I'm saying makes no sense, lol.
Cause I THINK my stock speakers can handle more volume, just not bass. I know on the headunit I can turn down the bass and turn the subwoofer up. I have none right now so adjusting that volume doesn't do anything. I'm a total noob when it comes to audio equipment so sorry if what I'm saying makes no sense, lol.
10-21-2009, 05:08 PM
#2
Usually the cause of distortion is driving an amplifier past it's ability
to produce a clean signal - in other words the problem is too little power,
not too much.
If when you say "turn it up a little bit" you mean more than, say 3/4 of
maximum, you may need to add an amp to get the volume you want.
Alternatively, some times the various headunit settings can end up
overdriving the bass even if you have the main volume setting not too
high. Could be something as simple as bass/treble settings, or as
complicated as equalizer/"bass expander" settings. Try to set the
headunit with all those features off, and see if you still get the distortion.
No matter what, if you're looking for thumping bass, you're going to
need an amp & subwoofer.
to produce a clean signal - in other words the problem is too little power,
not too much.
If when you say "turn it up a little bit" you mean more than, say 3/4 of
maximum, you may need to add an amp to get the volume you want.
Alternatively, some times the various headunit settings can end up
overdriving the bass even if you have the main volume setting not too
high. Could be something as simple as bass/treble settings, or as
complicated as equalizer/"bass expander" settings. Try to set the
headunit with all those features off, and see if you still get the distortion.
No matter what, if you're looking for thumping bass, you're going to
need an amp & subwoofer.
10-21-2009, 05:13 PM
#3
Thread Starter
Thanks.
When I say turn it up a bit, I mean like more than 10 on the headunit, which is nowhere near halfway. If I turn the bass and treble settings down, then I can turn the volume up more without distorting, but then that kind of defeats the purpose of upgrading the headunit for me.
After reading some threads I've decided to drop the subwoofer first idea and get some nice component speakers first. I was considering the PPI 365cs, I read some good things about them. They output 120 watts per side, what kind of amp would I need to drive them if any?
When I say turn it up a bit, I mean like more than 10 on the headunit, which is nowhere near halfway. If I turn the bass and treble settings down, then I can turn the volume up more without distorting, but then that kind of defeats the purpose of upgrading the headunit for me.
After reading some threads I've decided to drop the subwoofer first idea and get some nice component speakers first. I was considering the PPI 365cs, I read some good things about them. They output 120 watts per side, what kind of amp would I need to drive them if any?
10-31-2009, 11:40 PM
#4
1. bass setting is too high and you have "loudness on" on your headunit
2. speakers do not out put watts. Watts (power) are what drives speakers
3. you need a complete upgrade to your system due to your listening habit. You aim for extreme highs and lows, not the typical audiophile style
2. speakers do not out put watts. Watts (power) are what drives speakers
3. you need a complete upgrade to your system due to your listening habit. You aim for extreme highs and lows, not the typical audiophile style
11-01-2009, 11:09 AM
#5
You will run into this problem with the AP1 speakers; they are marginal at best. Does your car have tweeters as well, or just the door speakers?
Either way, if you do or don't upgrade, try sealing up your doors. The improvement is very noticeable, especially in midbass response. That way you might be able to dial down the bass on your headunit and therefore it will need less power to drive your speakers to the same perceived bass level.
Either way, if you do or don't upgrade, try sealing up your doors. The improvement is very noticeable, especially in midbass response. That way you might be able to dial down the bass on your headunit and therefore it will need less power to drive your speakers to the same perceived bass level.
11-01-2009, 11:27 AM
#6
yes. upgrade your speakers.
when you get your sub, turn a low pass filter on for your speakers--this will cut the bass going to them. that will help reduce their distortion.
you will want an amplifier if you get the ppi speakers. if you want to go cheaper (by not buying an additional amp for speakers), you can get speakers with higher "sensitivity." infiniti kappas/reference might be what you're looking for.
when you get your sub, turn a low pass filter on for your speakers--this will cut the bass going to them. that will help reduce their distortion.
you will want an amplifier if you get the ppi speakers. if you want to go cheaper (by not buying an additional amp for speakers), you can get speakers with higher "sensitivity." infiniti kappas/reference might be what you're looking for.
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