Help Setting Up My Audio
12-27-2012, 10:56 AM
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Ok man here you go. Hz are going to be you lower frequency (bass). You typically won't want to turn that value up too high (65%-75% of head unit's allowance at most) The next is Mhz, which is your mid range frequency. Personally I have my mids only turned to about the same amount as my low frequency.
The last category is Khz, which is your highest frequency, (highs-treble). You don't typically want to turn this value to max either. To decide which level to assign to these frequencies, set all of these values to 0, then turn your radio volume to your preferred "keeping it treal" volume, then gradually increase each frequency level until you hear distortion. Then back that frequency off slightly.
I dunno if you are against adding a four channel amplifier but I can't recommend highly enough that you do. Even an aftermarket head unit will not give your speakers enough power to sound the best they can. It doesn't have to be the most expensive amp, but don't get a cheap one.
I recommend a decent 4 channel kenwood, or even a rockford fosgate. Even with perfect settings on your head unit you will be limited on how much quality volume you will get without an amp. Trust me on this one, your off to a good start, now finish the job with a decent amplifier. You will be glad you did.
One of the other pics you posted looks like a zone equalizer. I have mine set to neutral (as opposed to focusing on the best sound being focused to only the driver seat.)
The other picture you posted is you crossover setting. I think in the picture it is set to 60. If you want mostly treble, set it to 80 0r even 120ish. Not sure what options your stereo offers. Hope this helps man.
If you only take one thing away from this post..... get an amplifier. Your ears will thank you, your passengers will thank you.... thank me later.
The last category is Khz, which is your highest frequency, (highs-treble). You don't typically want to turn this value to max either. To decide which level to assign to these frequencies, set all of these values to 0, then turn your radio volume to your preferred "keeping it treal" volume, then gradually increase each frequency level until you hear distortion. Then back that frequency off slightly.
I dunno if you are against adding a four channel amplifier but I can't recommend highly enough that you do. Even an aftermarket head unit will not give your speakers enough power to sound the best they can. It doesn't have to be the most expensive amp, but don't get a cheap one.
I recommend a decent 4 channel kenwood, or even a rockford fosgate. Even with perfect settings on your head unit you will be limited on how much quality volume you will get without an amp. Trust me on this one, your off to a good start, now finish the job with a decent amplifier. You will be glad you did.
One of the other pics you posted looks like a zone equalizer. I have mine set to neutral (as opposed to focusing on the best sound being focused to only the driver seat.)
The other picture you posted is you crossover setting. I think in the picture it is set to 60. If you want mostly treble, set it to 80 0r even 120ish. Not sure what options your stereo offers. Hope this helps man.
If you only take one thing away from this post..... get an amplifier. Your ears will thank you, your passengers will thank you.... thank me later.
Thanks a lot for your help! That sums up a lot for me. I am definitely interested in getting an amp for these speakers. Can you help me figure out which one I need? I'd like to stick with a Kenwood amp, since my head unit is Kenwood. I looked on Amazon and found this amp
Do you think that would be a good amp for my speakers?
Right now, my crossovers are getting there power from the factory wires. Do I just take those off of the crossover and run power to them from the amp (L,R) and then I plug the amp into the back of the head unit? And then run a power wire from the amp to the positive terminal on the battery?
Also, with the speakers turned up all the way, there is distortion. Does an amp allow me to turn it up a lot louder with a lot less distortion?
Thanks again!
12-27-2012, 11:13 AM
#12
From the pictures of that amp I can only see 1 pair of RCA jacks, yet it says it is a 2/3/4 channel amp. Try to find a picture of the back panel of that amplifier, to see if it has 2 pairs of RCA jacks. If it does, I say jump all over it.
The distortion you are hearing is your speakers telling you they aren't getting enough power to supply the volume you are asking of them. Speakers are commonly blown not from too much power, but by not having enough (as backward as that sounds).
But yeah, the amp looks like a solid deal. Just looked at it on Crutchfield and it has 2 pairs of RCA. Looks good to go. Just a tip, go ahead and order an amp kit from Amazon as well. Be sure to order one with a power wire, and RCA wires longer than you think you'll need. Mine was 17ft, and barely long enough. A long wire is a happy wire. I have a Supercrew, but don't remember what you said you had. Also, a 4 gauge power wire, and 16 gauge speaker wire will be more than adequate for your set up. I have always had great luck with Kenwood 4 channels. Kinda wish I had found that deal when I was in the market.
When adding an amp, your RCA wires will let your head unit talk to your amp, then the speaker wires coming from your amp to your crossovers will let your amp tell your crossovers what your head unit told it. (that made sense in my head, hope it does here). Then from your crossover to your speakers.
Setting the values on your amp is another animal all together, which most people do incorrectly the first time (I know I did). Keep in mind not to mount your amp in a way that it will be hard to access until you get everything dialed in perfectly. It took me a couple of weeks. This amp will certainly make your speakers much happier, and you will get much more clean volume from them.
Oh yeah if your Polk speakers are anything like mine, the crosser will have 2 settings( a switch on the crossover itself). The next time you have access to them I recommend setting them to the -3db setting, otherwise you may find the tweeters to be to harsh after giving them an amp. It sucks having to re-remove your door panels just to flip a switch on your crossovers.
The distortion you are hearing is your speakers telling you they aren't getting enough power to supply the volume you are asking of them. Speakers are commonly blown not from too much power, but by not having enough (as backward as that sounds).
But yeah, the amp looks like a solid deal. Just looked at it on Crutchfield and it has 2 pairs of RCA. Looks good to go. Just a tip, go ahead and order an amp kit from Amazon as well. Be sure to order one with a power wire, and RCA wires longer than you think you'll need. Mine was 17ft, and barely long enough. A long wire is a happy wire. I have a Supercrew, but don't remember what you said you had. Also, a 4 gauge power wire, and 16 gauge speaker wire will be more than adequate for your set up. I have always had great luck with Kenwood 4 channels. Kinda wish I had found that deal when I was in the market.
When adding an amp, your RCA wires will let your head unit talk to your amp, then the speaker wires coming from your amp to your crossovers will let your amp tell your crossovers what your head unit told it. (that made sense in my head, hope it does here). Then from your crossover to your speakers.
Setting the values on your amp is another animal all together, which most people do incorrectly the first time (I know I did). Keep in mind not to mount your amp in a way that it will be hard to access until you get everything dialed in perfectly. It took me a couple of weeks. This amp will certainly make your speakers much happier, and you will get much more clean volume from them.
Oh yeah if your Polk speakers are anything like mine, the crosser will have 2 settings( a switch on the crossover itself). The next time you have access to them I recommend setting them to the -3db setting, otherwise you may find the tweeters to be to harsh after giving them an amp. It sucks having to re-remove your door panels just to flip a switch on your crossovers.
Last edited by PondJumper; 12-27-2012 at 11:30 AM.
The following users liked this post:
FL0rida CrAcK3r (12-27-2012)
12-27-2012, 11:18 AM
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
From the pictures of that amp I can only see 1 pair of RCA jacks, yet it says it is a 2/3/4 channel amp. Try to find a picture of the back panel of that amplifier, to see if it has 2 pairs of RCA jacks. If it does, I say jump all over it.
The distortion you are hearing is your speakers telling you they aren't getting enough power to supply the volume you are asking of them. Speakers are commonly blown not from too much power, but by not having enough (as backward as that sounds).
But yeah, the amp looks like a solid deal. Just looked at it on Crutchfield and it has 2 pairs of RCA. Looks good to go. Just a tip, go ahead and order an amp kit from Amazon as well. Be sure to order one with a power wire, and RCA wires longer than you think you'll need. Mine was 17ft, and barely long enough. A long wire is a happy wire. I have a Supercrew, but don't remember what you said you had. Also, a 4 gauge power wire, and 16 gauge speaker wire will be more than adequate for your set up. I have always had great luck with Kenwood 4 channels. Kinda wish I had found that deal when I was in the market.
The distortion you are hearing is your speakers telling you they aren't getting enough power to supply the volume you are asking of them. Speakers are commonly blown not from too much power, but by not having enough (as backward as that sounds).
But yeah, the amp looks like a solid deal. Just looked at it on Crutchfield and it has 2 pairs of RCA. Looks good to go. Just a tip, go ahead and order an amp kit from Amazon as well. Be sure to order one with a power wire, and RCA wires longer than you think you'll need. Mine was 17ft, and barely long enough. A long wire is a happy wire. I have a Supercrew, but don't remember what you said you had. Also, a 4 gauge power wire, and 16 gauge speaker wire will be more than adequate for your set up. I have always had great luck with Kenwood 4 channels. Kinda wish I had found that deal when I was in the market.
Let me just clarify something before I make the purchase. When you say to make sure the amp has 2 pairs of RCA, that is because I have 3 pairs on the back of my head unit. 1 for the front, 1 for the rear, and 1 for the subs. If the amp has 2 pairs of RCA inputs, than I can run the 2 pairs (front/rear) from the HU to the 2 pairs on the Amp. Right?
12-27-2012, 11:26 AM
#14
Senior Member
Let me just clarify something before I make the purchase. When you say to make sure the amp has 2 pairs of RCA, that is because I have 3 pairs on the back of my head unit. 1 for the front, 1 for the rear, and 1 for the subs. If the amp has 2 pairs of RCA inputs, than I can run the 2 pairs (front/rear) from the HU to the 2 pairs on the Amp. Right?
The following users liked this post:
FL0rida CrAcK3r (12-27-2012)
12-27-2012, 11:44 AM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I just got off the Crutchfield chat, and that is the exact amp they recommended. It's $199 on Crutchfield, and $125 on Amazon. I bet they hate the fact that people get on their just to find out what's best and then they go buy it somewhere else. lol
12-27-2012, 12:35 PM
#17
One thing to note is that Crutchfield is an authorized dealer which means if you buy from them, you retain manufacturer warranty. If you buy from Amazon.... not so much. This has never been an issue for me so I always go Amazon, but just keep it in mind.
Every now and then I will buy from Crutchfield because their customer service is so outstanding. I believe if you earn my business then you deserve it. If the price difference is outstanding though..... I use the guys 'with the smile on the box.'
Every now and then I will buy from Crutchfield because their customer service is so outstanding. I believe if you earn my business then you deserve it. If the price difference is outstanding though..... I use the guys 'with the smile on the box.'
Last edited by PondJumper; 12-27-2012 at 12:40 PM.
12-27-2012, 12:38 PM
#18
Senior Member
And that Crutchfield will usually throw in the wiring kit for free and give you free tech advice