kicker x-over

blackalero02 · 02-22-2010, 08:27 PM

So I was giving my coworker a demo of my recently installed subs. They sounded loud They just didn't give a clean sound when it hit. It's hard to explain. Anyway being a noob to this stuff I started fiddling with my amp. I realized it sounded a lot clearer when I turned off the switch labeled x-over. I wondered why this was so I googled it. I got no answers from Google so basically what I'm wondering is what is x-over and why do my subs sound clearer when I turn it off? Any help would be nice, thanks.

AleroB888 · 02-22-2010, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackalero02

So I was giving my coworker a demo of my recently installed subs. They sounded loud They just didn't give a clean sound when it hit. It's hard to explain. Anyway being a noob to this stuff I started fiddling with my amp. I realized it sounded a lot clearer when I turned off the switch labeled x-over. I wondered why this was so I googled it. I got no answers from Google so basically what I'm wondering is what is x-over and why do my subs sound clearer when I turn it off? Any help would be nice, thanks.

Depends on how well-matched the x-over (crossover) cut-off freq and slope are to the subs, assuming they are hooked up correctly. The x-over should be a low-pass filter, not letting the subs reproduce the mids and highs.

Switched off x-over would let the subs run full range, and give better phase and transient response. If the subs have a good natural rolloff of the high freqs, they could indeed sound better in that mode.

But most times the midrange gets a bit muddy as a result.

Without access to measuring equipment, let your ears be the judge.

blackalero02 · 02-22-2010, 09:04 PM

Thanks for the help. I think it sounds a lot cleaner. It doesn't sound as loud though.

AleroB888 · 02-22-2010, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackalero02

Thanks for the help. I think it sounds a lot cleaner. It doesn't sound as loud though.

Do you have a manual for your amp? I'd like to see a block diagram of the hookup, make sure it's set up right.

Another thing that is sometimes worth a try is to reverse the polarity of the subs, i.e. switch the terminals at the (+) and (-) connections, then see if it gets cleaner (or louder), but I don't like to do that.

blackalero02 · 02-22-2010, 09:31 PM

I bought it off a friend. That was before I even bought my car. It's a kicker zx300.1 I think. I could try reversing the wires. It could be the wires. I have really good power and rca wires but really cheap wires connecting the subs to the amp. That could be the reason. I'm gonna get better wires soon.

blackalero02 · 02-22-2010, 09:36 PM

I need to get some pictures of it on here.

AleroB888 · 02-22-2010, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackalero02

I bought it off a friend. That was before I even bought my car. It's a kicker zx300.1 I think. I could try reversing the wires. It could be the wires. I have really good power and rca wires but really cheap wires connecting the subs to the amp. That could be the reason. I'm gonna get better wires soon.

Is this it??

http://a248.e.akamai.net/pix.crutchf...2068ZX3001.PDF

If so, the x-over is fixed at 80 Hz at a sharp cut-off of 24 db/octave, so my above comments should apply to your situation.

blackalero02 · 02-22-2010, 11:06 PM

Yeah That's the one. Thanks for the help man I have a much better understanding of how it works now. I'm gonna tinker with it a little bit and get it set up just right.

Ryan from Ohio · 02-23-2010, 07:42 AM

Doesnt sound like a crossover problem to me but a gain setting problem.

How did you set the gain?

blackalero02 · 02-23-2010, 09:06 AM

It's about 3/4 the way up.

Ryan from Ohio · 02-23-2010, 11:59 AM

While that may be ok it may also be the root cause.

It needs to be DMM set to be safe.

Until thats done were just pissing into the wind with guess's

blackalero02 · 02-23-2010, 01:01 PM

Excuse my newbness but what exactly is dmm?

Ryan from Ohio · 02-23-2010, 04:11 PM

DIGITAL MULTI METER

sorry about the caps

to lazy to retype

Cashdollar2009 · 02-23-2010, 05:33 PM

You might also be under the assumption that it soundslouder with the built in x-over off because you are now throwing every frequency out of your subwoofer as opposed to kickers 80hz and below. If you can hear words coming out of your speaker too that is not good. When i installed my first amplifier (visonik pos) i used to run it with the built in x-over on full as opposed to lpf. Same deal here on the kicker i would assume. It would pick up some of the higher frequencies that to me, seemed louder to my ear at the time.

Cashdollar2009 · 02-23-2010, 05:43 PM

BTW, this is what Ryan was referring to by using the DMM to set gains.

AleroB888 · 02-23-2010, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cashdollar2009

You might also be under the assumption that it soundslouder with the built in x-over off .......

No, he said it sounded cleaner with the x-over off, but not as loud.....

Cashdollar2009 · 02-23-2010, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AleroB888

No, he said it sounded cleaner with the x-over off, but not as loud.....

Ohhh... my bad. Well maybe by reproducing the wider range of frequencies you may be thinkinking it is cleaner? It is hard to judge "clean" without hearing anothers definition of "clean"...

AleroB888 · 02-23-2010, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cashdollar2009

Ohhh... my bad. Well maybe by reproducing the wider range of frequencies you may be thinkinking it is cleaner? It is hard to judge "clean" without hearing anothers definition of "clean"...

The subs can reach up into the midbass and do a pretty good job, from 80-200 Hz or so, but the system has got to be set up to work together as a whole, as you pointed out. The "cleanness" is probably due to a more seamless blending of the drivers, the phase response would definitely be better. But it should be possible to get good, clean sound with the x-over switched "on" also, and allow more volume.

Cashdollar2009 · 02-23-2010, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AleroB888

The subs can reach up into the midbass and do a pretty good job, from 80-200 Hz or so, but the system has got to be set up to work together as a whole, as you pointed out. The "cleanness" is probably due to a more seamless blending of the drivers, the phase response would definitely be better. But it should be possible to get good, clean sound with the x-over switched "on" also, and allow more volume.

Touché good sir. I was just trying to figure what is running through blackalero02's head with this question...

blackalero02 · 02-24-2010, 05:55 PM

Yeah at first I had the subs facing inside the car. Yesterday my friend told me it sounds better when pointed towards the trunk. Voila... It sounds ALOT better. I turned on the xover and the bass boost and it sounds very good. Sorry I didn't mention which way they were pointing. I didn't realize the difference It could make. Thanks for all your help. I have a much better idea of how this works now.