Alpine 9855 EQ question...

[basementgeek]

So I have an Apine 9855 ( which I like by the way ) and I can't seem to get a custom eq setting to sound as "good" as the factory defaults.

Does Alpine tweak the settings more that what is available on the head unit by default? I like what the "rock" setting sounds like, except for some of the higher frequencies and I don't want to attenuate the tweets anymore.

The head unit has a built in graphic and parametric eq but limited to 5 or 6 bands.....could that be part of the issue? Would a stand alone 30 band 1/3 octave eq solve the problem?

 

[got wake?]

a stand alone 30 band eq can solve a lot of problems, but it can also cause a lot of problems in inexperienced hands. same with the built in 5 band parametric eq. a lot of times the built in eq's are more hassle than they are worth.

 

[chuyler1]

I would take your car to a shop that has an RTA and let them play around with it. It is very difficult to configure a parameteric eq by ear.

 

[basementgeek]

Thanks guys. At least now I know it's not just my inexperience.

I think I definitely need to get an RTA in my car to see what's going on. I'm trying to diy as much as I can, but you can't get RTA's from Radio Shack.

I think I'll try to do as much as I can with the head unit and an RTA, then get an Audio Control eq if I still need it.

 

[chuyler1]

You'll be amazed at what just 5 parameteric bands can do for you (assuming they are true-parameteric with adjustable Freq, Q, and Gain).

 

[basementgeek]

Here's the description of the parametric eq function on the 9855 from crutchfield:

"You can select a frequency for each of the following bands in 1/3-octave increments: Band 1 (20Hz-160Hz), Band 2 (50Hz-400Hz), Band 3 (125Hz-1kHz), Band 4 (315Hz-8kHz), and Band 5 (800Hz-20kHz). Once a frequency is selected, you can adjust its level from -6dB to +6dB in 1dB increments. The Q for each frequency can be set to 1, 1.5, or 3."

Does that make a true parametric eq? Would that be enough adjustment?

What makes things more complicated is my components (Focal KP's)crossovers. There's a lot of adjustment on them as well! Trial and error I guess......

 

[chuyler1]

Combine those settings with your amplifier gains crossovers and passive crossover attenuators and you'll have plenty to work with. Just remember to adjust things in order...

1) Adjust gains
2) Adjust crossover points
3) Adust passive crossover attenuators
4) Experiment with speaker polarity on all channels
5) Readjust 1, 2, 3, and 4 until you are satisfied.
6) Bring out the PEQ and start dialing in frequencies that fall between crossover points that you can't adust any other way.

 

[got wake?]

Combine those settings with your amplifier gains crossovers and passive crossover attenuators and you'll have plenty to work with. Just remember to adjust things in order...

1) Adjust gains
2) Adjust crossover points
3) Adust passive crossover attenuators
4) Experiment with speaker polarity on all channels
5) Readjust 1, 2, 3, and 4 until you are satisfied.
6) Bring out the PEQ and start dialing in frequencies that fall between crossover points that you can't adust any other way.

(thumb)

don't forget to dial things in while listening to a variety of music you listen to. otherwise you might end up like those guys who change their settings each time they change music genres.