4-Channel amps

[chuyler1]

Looks really good! I hope you get the sub issue resolved without too much hassle.

Also, if you haven't already, you can connect the subwoofer outside of the box under low power to see and hear what's going on without the box interfering with your tests. This is a quick way to confirm that it is the sub and not the box making the noise.

 

[Kid Red]

Thanks.

Yea, I sat the sub on the floor and the same sound can be heard, tho not as loudly. It sounds like the dust cap is either loose inside or there's a dent or flaw in the driver. The bass is clear and strong, there's just a 'tack' type sound when hard drum notes are reproduced. I' not sure if this is related to my earlier problem of the dented rubber surround or not. I'm just hoping cardomain.com works with me on this. Good news is at least the price on the ID8s have dropped about $20 since I bought mine.

I can 't wait to get the sub installed so I can finish the install and clean it up, etc.

 

[Kid Red]

Oh, any tips on how the screws can be hidden? Filled with something? I don't have any clearance to add a lip of sorts. Not sure what some of the 'finishing' touches are for installs. I wish I could add a grill somehow, but as you can see in the pics, the chair comes right up to the speaker, and the bottom door opens to the spare tire and by a hair-clears the enclosure.

 

[chuyler1]

Here's what I would do...

Cut an MDF ring that is identical to the outer ring you cut for the baffle but maybe a little thicker on the inside. Slice off part of one side so it will fit over the subwoofer without getting in the way of the seat. Place over the front face of the ring some sort of metal mesh. You might find something in home depot but otherwise you could order a sheet from www.selectproducts.com. Sand down the outer edge to make it smooth. Cover it with black grill cloth then use these connectors to fasten the grill to the enclosure.

 

[Kid Red]

That's a great idea, unfortunately it won't fit I don't think. THe clearance is next to nothing, literally. The ID8 doesn't sit all the way in the enclosure because of the damn bulky driver cover thing, it hits the inside forcing the speaker on a 1/8" or so angle. The speaker rubber surround slightly protrudes the enclosures' baffle. So, anything that goes onto of the enclosure would need to have clearance for the rubber surround and would then hit either the chair or the door on the bottom as it swings upward.

Otherwise a very cool idea, very home theater speaker-ish. I had thought of just the metal grill, very, very thin, and somehow adhering that to the enclosure. But how to do it cleanly and professionally is beyond me. Maybe just some simply allen key screws or something for effect at only 4 corners of a circular metal grill? hmmm....THe grill would need to be black, wife doesn't want this 'broadcasted' when we open the back door, so maybe something sheet thin would work somehow with flush mounted screens or something?

 

[chuyler1]

Browse some of the categories on www.partsexpress.com. They have lots of stuff that will get your brain chugging. Just keep in mind that the subwoofer will come out of the frame quite a bit when you have the music turned up. You don't want it to hit the grill when it is fully extended. I'd give it at least 3/8" to 1/2" of travel space. That means any grill will probably interfere with your cargo tray cover...but if you have a grill that is quickly removable (such as using those fasteners I posted above) you can simply remove it to get inside. You could probably leave the grill off most of the time and only put it on when you are putting stuff in that might roll around.

Another alternative is to just get some metal bars or rods and bend them into the desired shape. 2 or 3 would be fine to keep large things like soccer balls from hitting the subwoofer.

 

[Kid Red]

Good ole partsexpress.com, I'll see what I can find. Thanks again.

 

[Kid Red]

update- cardomain.com hooked me up, defective speaker and I can return it. I went ahead and did a refund return and ordered a new ID8 so I didn't have to wait for the exchange process. I should have it Wednesday hopefully.

 

[Kid Red]

Got the replacement ID*, it works fine! So it was defective. I was sweating the whole time hoping it was the speaker and not my enclosure forcing me to take major in attempts to fix whatever the problem could be.

I'll snap some pics, once it's all tuned, etc. So, as far as a fill, foam, etc, how much do you put in the .25 cf size of mine? I have two pieces maybe 7"x7" in there. I don't know if that's too much, not enough, etc. Also, should I tear it up, right now it's still in a sheet form. I read to tear it up, shred it and was curious about that.

 

[chuyler1]

That's probably fine. I've never really experimented heavily with foam and poly-fill. I usually just throw some in there, stick the sub in, and hope for the best.

 

[Kid Red]

What's 'some' tho? I guess I'll listen then add some more and see how it sounds.

just found this-

If you add damping material (fiberglass, Acousta-Stuf polyfill, Dacron, etc...), you can design the rear chamber of your enclosure 10% smaller than the suggested ideal size. I usually use 3/4-1 lb. per cubic foot (polyfill) of enclosure volume. I prefer not to use fiberglass because there is a chance that the fibers can get in the voice coil, and also because of the health hazards (skin & lung irritation) that are possible when working with this material.

So if I'm 1/4 a cf, then I'd need about 1/4lb or what 4 oz? I will weigh some and see what happens.

 

[chuyler1]

Usually they sell it in 1 or 2 lb bags....so just use 1/4 or 1/8 of the bag.

 

[Kid Red]

I bought 1 yard of the foam stuff, so I'd have to weigh it. That will work right? Or is polyfill different stuff that I need to pick up?

 

[chuyler1]

Polyfill is the same stuff they use in stuffed-animals. You can pick it up at your local craft store dirt cheap.

 

[Kid Red]

K, so don't use the foam I picked up from my local fabric store but get some polyfill instead?

 

[chuyler1]

It really isn't going to make a huge difference in such a small enclosure. Put in what you have, and if it sounds OK...you're done. Call it a day and enjoy your system.

 

[Kid Red]

Ok, I hear ya. Well, I'll try and weigh some and then I will tear up the sheet like form of the foam and see what that does. Thanks for your help

 

[Kid Red]

Hey guys, one question. At low to medium volume, the ID8 rocks, it's tight, bass rolls out, it's smooth and full. However, at medium volume and beginning to turn it up to jam, the bass gets loose and almost flusters. THe hard hitting 'doom' sound becomes 'braaamm' and the woofer is bouncing everywhere. What causes this?

Is it the limits of the Alpine meaning the ID8 doesn't have enough power to preform at higher volumes?

The gain isn't set right? I set it for medium volumes and it sounds perfect, if I get louder, certain songs sound great, then hip hop or booty bass gets muddy.

Or is it the box? Not enough stuffing? Maybe a leak somewhere?

 

[1sty]

My best guess would be the combo of too little power and to small a box. As the box gets smaller, you need more power to get the same output. Polyfill will only give you a faked 15% or so. Also, you want the polyfill loose, if it is packed in, then it starts to take up airspace and the box gets even smaller.

 

[Kid Red]

K, I have the foam type of fill, so maybe I'll pick up the actual polyfil stuff and make sure it's loose in there. The batting I have is more like sheets and are pretty firm - they make be too tight as you say. I hope that helps some so I don't feel compelled to sell the Alpine and look for a bigger amp that will fit under my seat.