Stereo Tuning

[boardman74]

So I followed the suggestions from Mike on another thread that had a very similar set up to what I installed. I am not a stereo guy so tuning is pretty greek to me. Hoping I just need to get things dialed in to perform how we want it to.

Here is my set up. Clarion deck.

HT-6 running 4 XS-650's and 1 XS10FA

Here is where I am at: Deck is zero'd out.

Channel 1/2(rear inboat XS-650s) Hi-pass. Cross set to around 90 htz. Gain is at about 35%

Channel 3/4(front in boat XS-650's) Hi-pass. Cross set to around 90 htz. Gain is at about 35%

Channel 5/6- XS-10FA bridged. Low Pass. Cross set to 100htz. Gain is about 50% and BB is about 20%.

Everything is working and is loud and clear. Issue is there seems to be way to much high(super clear) and not much bass. Seemed like I had more bass with the 4 inboats just off the deck, though not as loud or clear. That was with the bass turned way up on the deck. Guess I thought I would get alot more bass out of the sub with 300 watts to it. Hoping this is a tuning issue.

Also will be running a set of Rev8's off a HT-4 but they aren't up yet.

[chpthril]

Where is the signal for chnls 5/6 originating from?

[JohnnieMo]

Is the sub moving at all? That is the first thing I would check. Just put your hand on it.

If so, is it wired correctly? You said it was bridged so that should be good. Is it single voice coil or dual voice coil? If that wiring is messed up it would cut your volume output 4x.

I'm new to the wet sounds products so others might have these answers more readily.

300 watts is plenty to make noise. Whether it will be good noise or bad noise - we shall see.

[boardman74]

Just using the one input like we talked about, Deck to the Kicker line control and then from the line control to the amp. Amp is set to just work off one input as per the instructions. I had some issue with the signal. First I hooked up to the 2 RCA'd that were bundled with the wire remote line. They didn't have any volume control and ran at about 60% volume constant. Then I found an unused RCA only harness in my owners manual bag. It plugged into the back and has 5 sets of RCA's. 2 marked aux 1 and 2. Another set with pink wires. Then 2 shorter sets one black wires and one grey. Manual said i should have 2 sets for amps so i took it to be the short ones and they seems to work. I think I am on the grey shorter set.

[boardman74]

Single voice coil sub. WS XS-10FA. Its is working and producing bass. Looks like its as it should. Think maybe there is to much high from the 650's.

[chpthril]

100Hz is a good starting point, but dont be afraid to turn it up a little more. I would also suggest turning the gains down on chnl 5/6 while the music is playing, and you will see just how much the sub is contributing to the lower end. 300W is perfect for an IB 10", but they are not nearly as efficient as a sub in a small enclosure. The output is not going to dominate the sound stage like a larger or more powerful sub.

The sub is mounted in a wall that offers complete front/rear isolation, right?
I would double check the subs polarity and double check the terminals used to bridge it. it should be the two outside terminals.
Next, I would split the RCA's and turn the chnl 5/6 input in the ON mode. I do not expect a difference, but an interesting experiment non the less.
After that, I would dial back the gains on the full-range speakers to shift the balance toward the sub.

[boardman74]

Did as you suggested. I tried splitting the RCA's with no noticeable difference, to my ear. The sub is in the stock location at the drivers feet and does have a wall front and back. What I found that sounds good to my ear is leaving the sub at about 50-60% gain and turning the 650's gain down to meet the subs output. I think they are at about 25-30% now. Now as I turn it up the high and lows seem to come up together.

Got one of the Rev 8's hung and had to turn it on. All I can say is HOLY CRAP!! With 300 watts and facing the back garage wall the thing could make your ears bleed. I know people say they scream...but wow. Impressive to say the least and crystal clear as loud as I dared turn it up. Anything past 60% or so on a zone control and it over powers the boat speakers. I have no doubt you can hear them riding.

[lems52]

Did as you suggested. I tried splitting the RCA's with no noticeable difference, to my ear. The sub is in the stock location at the drivers feet and does have a wall front and back. What I found that sounds good to my ear is leaving the sub at about 50-60% gain and turning the 650's gain down to meet the subs output. I think they are at about 25-30% now. Now as I turn it up the high and lows seem to come up together.

Did you cut out a hole in the helm wall so the sub had more room to work with? Otherwise it's magnet is essentially touching the back wall and the air space that it has to work with is virtually nothing. That was the recommendation I was given.

[boardman74]

Lems,
So you cut a hole behind the magnet into the front starboard locker area? Who recommended that and how did it work? Can you hear a difference?

[lems52]

Lems,
So you cut a hole behind the magnet into the front starboard locker area? Who recommended that and how did it work? Can you hear a difference?

As for a difference, I can't give you a before and after since I did this right off the bat. But the recommendation came from one of the folks from Family Marine in MN (I can't rememeber his screen name). I know they've done some custom installs and said that it made a difference when they vented it into the bow. Chpthril mentioned that if the hole wasnt big enough I might get some "chuffing" from the sub, but haven't noticed any.

My sub is crossed at 100htz and the gain is close to 50%. I also have the 420sq and usually have the sub volume anywhere from 2/3 to 3/4 depending on the song. I had the sub working pretty hard on the 4th and felt that it did a pretty good job. Personally I've never heard a free air sub sound this good. Maybe I'll go with sealed/ported box down the road, but with wife and 2 year old in the boat it's probably a lost cause for now.

[chpthril]

Thanks for the pic lems, that tells alot about whats going back there. IMO, its not that the back wall is close to the sub magnet, but the fact that that whole cavity is too small for an IB sub if that enclosure is even partially closed at the top.

If it was me, I would open that hole even wider. That IB XS-10fa really wants to see some volume back there and what i can see now, is not enough.

[lems52]

Good to know! I really do apprieciate your opinion! I would like to avoid relocating anything, but I'll probably open up the diameter another couple inches. When I cut the hole, I was thinking I should've went bigger.

[boardman74]

I may have to try this at a future date. I do think I have a bit more room as I have an RZR and it looks to be deeper to make room for all the medallion and tige touch stuff.