leSwartzy

I've got an '03 GS300 with a stock, non-ML sound system. Overall, I'd say the sound is pretty phenomenal for a base sound system. I do have a complaint, however. The bass response is terribly uneven.

For example - if I were to run a frequency sweep from 20hz on up, the levels would be high at the extreme low end, then take a severe dip somewhere between 80 and 200hz, then move back to a reasonably even response rate for the rest of the spectrum.

It's most noticeable in genres like dubstep, where you have sweeping bass lines that jump around. Lower stuff will be very loud, higher stuff (still bass notes) will be very quiet, almost nonexistent in some cases.

Anybody else have similar experiences? Is this a problem with the stock sub? Overall output from the stock sub/amp combo is very adequate for my tastes, I just need to have a way to even out the response.

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

Just keep in mind that the average buyer of this car when it was new would more than likely listen to talk radio, light rock/jazz, or classical as opposed to dubstep.

porn-adkt

iTrader: (37)

SIGHHhhhhhhhh......DUBSTEP.....Lol

leSwartzy

lol, it was just an example of instances where this particular sound attribute is noticeable! Seriously, this same sound phenomena would have to be noticeable in any jazz tracks with the plucky bass rhythms as well. But musical tastes aside - seriously, is this the fault of the subwoofer or some electronics acting as a (crappy) passover/cutoff for the sub?

RamAirRckt

Probably hearing the crossover roll off from sub to main speakers. And likely old speakers at that. Speakers do age, and being in a car with hot and cold temps, it is a rough life.

And if power isn't equal all around, it will be noticeable too. Similar symptoms.

Must remember that speakers aren't every 100% the same response at all frequencies. Say you pick a 8 ohm speaker, sure, it is 8 ohms, at what frequency? 80 Hz? Ok, but at 20 Hz it might be 3 ohms, and at 100 Hz might be 9 ohms. Now think of how it is responding as the frequencies are going up and down. The amp might have power power at lower frequencies, and less at higher. So you can see a quandry, it is hard to have a completely flat proper speaker response without a 31 or better, 62 band EQ on each channel. Then you can properly set it up. Easy? Not really.

This is one reason I really like my 98 GS4's Nakamichi. It is overall very good. I rarely ever need to add EQ to it, flat is usually best. Sure, the 10" sub doesn't go as low as I would like, or the overall sound as loud as I do like now and then, I love the clarity and finess of the speakers, they did a good job at it. It is quiet and even a delicate sound is reproduced nicely. And bass is strong, not gonna thump you in the back of the head, but it is enough it sounds very well balanced and behaved.

And yes, I tend to listen to AM too much, it is hard to get FM across the distance I drive..... Maybe someday I might look at XM...

leSwartzy

Thanks for all the input.

After doing some more research, and some in-store comparisons between subs and various amps, I think I've concluded I'll need to buy both a sub and an external amp to be really happy with that sound. Eventually I'd like to replace the other speakers as well, but this first step will I think have a huge impact on the sound.

I'll do a forum search as well, but is there a popular sub people put in? I've been a huge Boston Acoustics fan for a while, and I see a sub of theirs on sale for a pretty spectacular price that I'm probably going to pull the trigger on - G310-4. Since it's 10", I'm assuming (right?) that it'll just pop right in. And once I have an external amp hooked up I'm hoping for some auditory nirvana.