How to adjust loudness of bass?

sasson23 · 19th October 2006, 10:53 PM

I'm running 2 12's in my 05 nissan maxima using a v12 alpine mono amp. Just what I can install to reduce or adjust bass loudness. I have a stock deck and can adjust just a little bit of the bass through the Bass settings. I need something to significantly reduce bass for some song. What do I need?
thanks,
sasson

acoustixman · 19th October 2006, 11:26 PM

Is there not a level adjustment in your subwoofer crossover configuration, or on the woofer power amplifier itself?

If there is no level adjust and you have access to the line inputs which are dedicated to the subwoofer amplifier, you could impose attenuation just ahead of the input. Attach line from deck or XO to terminal 3, line into amp to terminal 2 (wiper), and common to terminal 1 of a log-taper potentiometer, say 10k-50k ohms.

pinkmouse · 19th October 2006, 11:31 PM

This may seem like I'm being obtuse, but I suspect that the problem is not with your head or amp, but your sub enclosure. Quite often they are designed to produce peak output, which means they are tuned to one particular frequency that sounds very loud, the so called "one note bass". If the songs that seem too bass heavy hit that tuning frequency then that could explain why they then seem to need turning down.

acoustixman · 20th October 2006, 02:43 PM

Pinkmouse has an excellent point. My approach reduces volume across the 'subspectrum' but the 'one note bass' does seem to be common. Songs in various keys seem to sound the same in the bass department, even in some cases when lacking direct excitation of the problem frequencies.

You could retune/realign the enclosure, which would be the best approach... An equalizer may be an acceptable solution also. If you can get an EQ even temporarily, it can be used by trial and error to isolate the problem frequencies so that realignment is more directed and less guessing. A real-time analyzer or mic+FFT may shed some light too. Just do everything the usual way (windows up/down, while driving, etc.).

IMHO, low-Q, high-Xmax sealed boxes are most appropriate for cars given their low frequency excitability and transient response. *edit: the car volume's excitability that is*

19th October 2006, 10:53 PM	#1
sasson23 diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	How to adjust loudness of bass? I'm running 2 12's in my 05 nissan maxima using a v12 alpine mono amp. Just what I can install to reduce or adjust bass loudness. I have a stock deck and can adjust just a little bit of the bass through the Bass settings. I need something to significantly reduce bass for some song. What do I need? thanks, sasson

19th October 2006, 11:31 PM	#3
pinkmouse diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Chatham, England	This may seem like I'm being obtuse, but I suspect that the problem is not with your head or amp, but your sub enclosure. Quite often they are designed to produce peak output, which means they are tuned to one particular frequency that sounds very loud, the so called "one note bass". If the songs that seem too bass heavy hit that tuning frequency then that could explain why they then seem to need turning down. __________________ Al I conceive of nothing, in religion, science or philosophy, that is more than the proper thing to wear, for a while. Charles Fort

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The loudness war....	Empee	Everything Else	81	19th November 2008 01:37 PM
How much loudness is enough for HT?	Phil Olson	Multi-Way	19	29th March 2008 12:14 AM
three tap loudness pot	adason	Parts	8	26th January 2006 08:53 AM
Potentiometer loudness tap?	paulb	Solid State	3	13th May 2002 07:54 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

19th October 2006, 11:26 PM	#2
acoustixman diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Boulder City, Nevada	Is there not a level adjustment in your subwoofer crossover configuration, or on the woofer power amplifier itself? If there is no level adjust and you have access to the line inputs which are dedicated to the subwoofer amplifier, you could impose attenuation just ahead of the input. Attach line from deck or XO to terminal 3, line into amp to terminal 2 (wiper), and common to terminal 1 of a log-taper potentiometer, say 10k-50k ohms.

20th October 2006, 02:43 PM	#4
acoustixman diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Boulder City, Nevada	Pinkmouse has an excellent point. My approach reduces volume across the 'subspectrum' but the 'one note bass' does seem to be common. Songs in various keys seem to sound the same in the bass department, even in some cases when lacking direct excitation of the problem frequencies. You could retune/realign the enclosure, which would be the best approach... An equalizer may be an acceptable solution also. If you can get an EQ even temporarily, it can be used by trial and error to isolate the problem frequencies so that realignment is more directed and less guessing. A real-time analyzer or mic+FFT may shed some light too. Just do everything the usual way (windows up/down, while driving, etc.). IMHO, low-Q, high-Xmax sealed boxes are most appropriate for cars given their low frequency excitability and transient response. edit: the car volume's excitability that is