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mid-bass woofers

Evan Huber
- 20 posts
January 27, 2012 5:36:55 PM PST

how substantial are having dedicated mid-bass woofers? (ie. 6.5" or even 8" woofers)

what kind of power would be nominal to run such a setup?

reason i ask is i just dont find components to provide enough mid level punch and fill.... the tweets are great for the hights, and my subs handle the lows...but im lacking a lil in the middle.

-cheers
Dimitri Triantafillidis
- 71 posts
January 27, 2012 10:21:04 PM PST

What are you looking for SQ or SPL?This is the first thing you have to think about.There are a lot of brands who make good components for every need and budget.JL audio ZR800-CW or C5-650cw,Hertz Mille ML1600 etc.What amps are you using?
Brad Stolberg
- 360 posts
January 28, 2012 5:45:22 AM PST

its makes a HUGE difference going from a 2 way to a 3 way...and its also usually a HUGE difference between a 6.5" and an 8" in said 3 way system. but yea need to kno more about your current setup and preferences before reccomending anything.
Barry Schanz
- 133 posts
January 28, 2012 7:24:28 AM PST

The lack of midbass may be helped by simple tuning changes, or if you don't have enough done with your install to improve your speaker's output that might be needed as well.
Evan Huber
- 20 posts
January 28, 2012 7:32:47 AM PST

currently i am running:
2 - jl audio 12w3v3-4 sealed
jl audio c3 6.5" components up front
jl audio c2 6x9 coax in the rear
jl audio 500/1v2 powering the subs
jl audio 300/4v2 powering all four speakers
alpine cda-9886 h/u

currently tearing down and separating the woofers, one in a sealed spec'd enclosure, the other will go into a spec'd bandpass enclosure. I'll only be running one or the other, not both.

Overall, i want SQ over SPL...In the next year I'll be buying a NEW vehicle (SUV) and the setup may completely change if need be... but if its simply upgrading one thing or another, i'll save the gear and change the setup.
Brad Stolberg
- 360 posts
January 28, 2012 9:36:56 AM PST

I agree with barry, C3's a pretty Midbassy, Do you have the setting on the x-over set to high midrange prescense, try it with it on low...maybe you just need some dynamat and a wooden speaker adapter, and maybe try adding the Imprint module to your 9886, it really brings out midbass through EQ, theres even an EQ curve the imprint can do for extra midbass

as far as your next vehicle, most late model SUV's don't have 6x9s, but your C3's should be swapable into almost anything
Evan Huber
- 20 posts
January 28, 2012 11:12:14 AM PST

i've always wondered whether or not sealing speakers would increase performance. I know a lot of vehicles dont have sealed chambers for door panels...but i know speaker manufacturers must take this into account. Would customizing a "box" for the woofers increase the midbass output?
Brad Stolberg
- 360 posts
January 28, 2012 5:52:13 PM PST

I've seen it done, and heard it, but only with 8" as dedicated midbass drivers in a 3 way active setup. Its not necessary on anything but competition/stupidridiculoud level IMO. It allowed the same drivers to take more power but I didn't find the midbass to be any beter than infinate baffle,
I think your overthinking a bit, I personally own JL C3's in that blue Chevelle SS in my pic...theyre my favorite JL's right now
Evan Huber
- 20 posts
January 29, 2012 5:26:49 AM PST

perhaps the next investment will be an equalizer...
Brad Stolberg
- 360 posts
January 29, 2012 1:37:43 PM PST

I would put some thought into the pxa-h100 imprint module before anything, for $100 you get auto tuning for time alignment and EQ, it's the best, inexpensive upgrade for people who already have imprint ready decks like your 9886, which is especially easy to use with imprint in my expirence, it's worth a look for sure
Evan Huber
- 20 posts
January 29, 2012 1:50:57 PM PST

i know when i buy my new vehicle i'll be buying a new h/u. i've had the 9886 for at least 3 years now and its starting to act up. However, i am a fan of Alpine and will most likely stick with them for my double din h/u...or perhaps switch to the pioneer avic series. something with iphone control and solid equalizer capabilities
Brad Stolberg
- 360 posts
January 29, 2012 2:13:54 PM PST

Alpine has a bunch of new double dins coming out, they should ship by march, you should check them out...there's even one with an 8" screen...with EQs the more bands the better, but that doesn't necessarily mean a better sounding unit, I'm not a fan of the current z130 or x930, I think the alpine and kenwood rivals sound better...just since your used to a 9886, make sure you choose something with at least 4 volt pre outs, however going back to pioneer all of there new double dins seem pretty cool, I really like the looks and features of the new p8400bh assuming you have a smart phone, if not the 4400 looks nice too
Barry Schanz
- 133 posts
February 1, 2012 3:04:19 PM PST

I've been doing an on-going article series on sound dampening treatments, with my personal vehicle, starting from 0 treatments until whenever I run out of stuff worth writing about. If you want to take a look go to www.513electronics.com and use the search box on the upper left to find "sound dampening". I have an order of products from www.sounddeadenershowdown.com coming this Friday which I'm really excited about. There's a lot to be gained from sound dampening/deadening/whatever you prefer to call it.

How does the midrange sound if you turn the treble and the bass down and turn the volume up?