Tuning question

Need help with your car stereo system? Have a technical question? Post here.
Post Reply
User avatar
jsayre914
Posts: 248
Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 7:35 pm
Location: York PA

Tuning question

Post by jsayre914 »

(I like starting new threads) :roll:

I noticed apon first setup of my system. HU9887 has the two front output going to the EQ215i. when I turn the HU 3/4 volume and then go to adjust the EQ input left and right channel to look for the red led to flash a bit. The left channel is at about 10 oclock and the right channel is at 2 oclock. WTF

Everything is balanced and they flicker on and off equally, but why such a large difference??

Tonight I am going to switch the left and right input and see if it follows the RCA or stays with the knob. Anyone eles run into this before???
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
Joseph Sayre
ttocs
the Floor Sweeping Hack with Golden Ears
Posts: 14797
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:53 pm

Re: Tuning question

Post by ttocs »

is this playing a test signal or music?
what else can I say I am a grumpy asshole most of the time.
User avatar
jsayre914
Posts: 248
Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 7:35 pm
Location: York PA

Re: Tuning question

Post by jsayre914 »

sublime, music.

I use this CD because it seems to hit pretty hard, and gives me a full range
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
Joseph Sayre
User avatar
00goobs
Posts: 386
Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 7:59 am

Re: Tuning question

Post by 00goobs »

It would probably be better if you used test tones for your initial gain set-up if you are using the clip leds. If you didn't already know, this amazing site has some ready for you:
http://download.phoenixphorum.com/Tones/

I may start installing in a recently acquired '86 944. It is neat how the suspension in your car isn't too much different from my car, hehehe. I prefer your 914 to the 944, but I was lucky to get this one... Nice install BTW!

I've heard from a "somewhat reliable source" the original Sublime CD with the Ron Jeremy song isn't great for a test on sonic accuracy. I love most of the songs on there for sure, but there is something a bit different in the recording perhaps that is out of place. I could never hear what the "somewhat reliable source" was getting at, but I never had a competition SQ set-up to critique with...
ttocs
the Floor Sweeping Hack with Golden Ears
Posts: 14797
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:53 pm

Re: Tuning question

Post by ttocs »

you will rarely ever get them both to light up on music if you are playing from a good stereo source.
what else can I say I am a grumpy asshole most of the time.
User avatar
Stryker
Posts: 1567
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2008 3:22 pm
Location: Calgary

Re: Tuning question

Post by Stryker »

ttocs wrote:you will rarely ever get them both to light up on music if you are playing from a good stereo source.
mine are at 2 o'clock and start to flash, I have a decent HU
why would you say that?
screw car audio, I'd rather go fast....errr, wait a minute.
ttocs
the Floor Sweeping Hack with Golden Ears
Posts: 14797
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:53 pm

Re: Tuning question

Post by ttocs »

by definition a stereo signal means the left can differ from the right.

I should substatute SHOULD rarely above. Alot of music is the same or close but if you are not running test tones through it I would try that.
what else can I say I am a grumpy asshole most of the time.
User avatar
The Golden One
Quarantined
Quarantined
Posts: 717
Joined: Sat May 29, 2010 3:58 pm
Location: Tinkle Town T,N

Re: Tuning question

Post by The Golden One »

i can see where a test tone can help maybe get the balance right, but your only going to be able set it at rms signal voltage the problem with that is the peak dynamics will be set too high causing a great deal of clipping. there is a reason phoenix gold say's to set it up with a dynamic music passage it's to account for the dynamics in the music. :-s
Last edited by The Golden One on Sun Mar 27, 2011 7:25 pm, edited 2 times in total.
(Phoenix Gold) "Triple-Darlington High Definition Amplifier" (Rockford Fosjunk) "Triple-Distortion No Definition Amp on Fire"
User avatar
00goobs
Posts: 386
Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 7:59 am

Re: Tuning question

Post by 00goobs »

I think if the test tones are at a true 0db level digitally, it should be in theory higher than most dynamic peaks in recorded digital music...

http://www.realmofexcursion.com/downloads.htm

A link for a little reading so I won't have to plagiarize the post, 2nd post:

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/diy ... tones.html
User avatar
The Golden One
Quarantined
Quarantined
Posts: 717
Joined: Sat May 29, 2010 3:58 pm
Location: Tinkle Town T,N

Re: Tuning question

Post by The Golden One »

jsarey914 if you have an xs amp owner's manual you could follow the guide in it, and if you feel you could use test tones as well then you could try that along with what phoenix gold recommends. :)
(Phoenix Gold) "Triple-Darlington High Definition Amplifier" (Rockford Fosjunk) "Triple-Distortion No Definition Amp on Fire"
ttocs
the Floor Sweeping Hack with Golden Ears
Posts: 14797
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:53 pm

Re: Tuning question

Post by ttocs »

I could ship you my little o-scope if you want to use it and then send it back.
what else can I say I am a grumpy asshole most of the time.
User avatar
jsayre914
Posts: 248
Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 7:35 pm
Location: York PA

Re: Tuning question

Post by jsayre914 »

ttocs wrote:I could ship you my little o-scope if you want to use it and then send it back.
very generous of you, mabey i should get my own :idea: I think I would use it on a daily basis. I am a bit of a tweeker :D

What o-scope do you recomend mid priced??

Thanks
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
Joseph Sayre
ttocs
the Floor Sweeping Hack with Golden Ears
Posts: 14797
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:53 pm

Re: Tuning question

Post by ttocs »

i just got a really small/portable one on ebay for around $80. Its smaller then your hand, color, and a few other functions.
what else can I say I am a grumpy asshole most of the time.
User avatar
stipud
Voltage Ohms
Posts: 14719
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 1983 4:00 am
Location: Burnaby, BC
Contact:

Re: Tuning question

Post by stipud »

ttocs wrote:i just got a really small/portable one on ebay for around $80. Its smaller then your hand, color, and a few other functions.
DSO Nano. I have one too. It's awesome!

And yeah, I recommend you set the gains with test tones. An AC voltmeter is all you need really... put the red probe in the middle, put the black pole on the RCA shield, and turn up gains until you hit 8v.

Though as I said in your last thread, no point bumping to 8v if you are cutting back down to 4v. Just set the input gains at 4v and leave the output cut at 0.
ttocs
the Floor Sweeping Hack with Golden Ears
Posts: 14797
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:53 pm

Re: Tuning question

Post by ttocs »

if you are curious about the scope I would be happy to let you use it. It really is a much much better way to tune systems and with the time and $$$$ you have invested into this one no need to cheap out on the tuning.

Like I said I could ship the scope in a padded envelope for a few bucks if you are curious but once you use a scope to tune a system you will not see the need for a meter.
what else can I say I am a grumpy asshole most of the time.
User avatar
jsayre914
Posts: 248
Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 7:35 pm
Location: York PA

Re: Tuning question

Post by jsayre914 »

I will try the scope. Thanks 8)

If i use the meter in the mean time. I should use a 60hz test tone on repeat, with the HU volume 7/8 up and keep the 4 v into the EQ and then drop it to 3v on the way out?

is that the best plan of action?

and then can the meter be used at the speaker ??
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
Joseph Sayre
ttocs
the Floor Sweeping Hack with Golden Ears
Posts: 14797
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:53 pm

Re: Tuning question

Post by ttocs »

ditch the meter, the scope will do it all and better then the meter.............. Your ears should always be the final judge but the scope will get you a much more accurate reading.
what else can I say I am a grumpy asshole most of the time.
Post Reply