How to Adjust Equalizers

TheTallMan · #1 08-21-2007, 08:23 AM

Just curious, what is the best way to tune the audio in my 2004 X5?
I added a sub to my stock DSP system, it sounds pretty good, although I need to lower all the bass since the system can be overpowering. I have a lot of places where I can adjust the frequency content of the music,

- my MP3 player has an equalizer (I have an AUX input for it)
- the head unit has a DSP equalizer
- the head unit has bass/treble controls
- the amp for the sub has an adjustable crossover/low pass filter

Is there an order in which I *should* adjust these to get the best sound, or is it just "make it sound good" approach? I get a lot more bass when my input is FM radio, vs if it is tape, Sirius, or Aux input.

Also- what is the "room" setting on the DSP system for, it seems to be coupled with the "echo" setting (whose function is clear); did not see much about in the radio part of the manual.

Thanks-

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DouglasABaker · #2 08-21-2007, 05:02 PM

Last question first: Room is coupled with Echo because they are designed to give you the impression of being in a larger room. Basically it is a reverb function.

As for your first question, let's take them in order in which you should adjust them:
DSP Equalizer - Use this to get a flat (or otherwise if you prefer) frequency response in the car. Generally these are set using test tones.
Amp Crossover / low pass filter - Needs to be set in combination with the DSP amplifier. This is not a volume control it is an adjustment to determine what frequencies the subwoofer reproduces. This is a "set it and forget it" adjustment that is appropriately set when the subwoofer is picking up where the next speaker leaves off.
Bass / Treble - Use this to adjust for individual tracks / sources. Should be used in combination with
MP3 Equalizer - May be helpful to set this up to provide a similar signal to your FM input.

You have an interesting issue - typically FM has the lowest amount of bass relative to CD, Aux, or Ipod...

Doug

bgsquad · #3 07-20-2009, 08:44 AM

faced with same problem here!! Ipod equalizer + DSP + Tone... if i put the rock settings on Ipod and DSP, it is multiplied my 2, so i get extreme bass and twitter... I can't flat out the IPOD cause i use it for jogging and home system... So i try to flat the DSP, but since i have a casette adaptor to the Ipod, i don't want to rely on the casette for inputing my preferences because it is not that reliable.. i want the main unit to control the preferences... plus the overall tone settings... very tricky!!

Any recommendation? by the way, i put the some fading to the rear, since the front ones are closer to your head, giving a little more power to the rear will increase the surround effect...

DouglasABaker · #4 07-20-2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgsquad

faced with same problem here!! Ipod equalizer + DSP + Tone... if i put the rock settings on Ipod and DSP, it is multiplied my 2, so i get extreme bass and twitter... I can't flat out the IPOD cause i use it for jogging and home system... So i try to flat the DSP, but since i have a casette adaptor to the Ipod, i don't want to rely on the casette for inputing my preferences because it is not that reliable.. i want the main unit to control the preferences... plus the overall tone settings... very tricky!!

Any recommendation? by the way, i put the some fading to the rear, since the front ones are closer to your head, giving a little more power to the rear will increase the surround effect...

I'm sorry - what is the question? The post immediately above yours tells you the order in which to adjust things, so what is the issue?

d-

bgsquad · #5 07-20-2009, 10:10 AM

The order, yes, I got it!

But what do you do in that order?
you're right, I didn't specify what puzzles me:

1- when you say flat frequency response on the DSP, you mean flat graphical setting? and what is test tone, how to use it? what should be the end result?

2- about the Amp Crossover / low pass filter, i am interested in setting where the subwoofer kicks in, but where do you set those? i don't seem to have them (i have NAV with DSP MKIII)

3- ok

4- Source (Ipod): so now after I have completed the above, I set my preferences on the Ipod? then I should get the sound i want?

Thanks again!!

DouglasABaker · #6 07-20-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgsquad

The order, yes, I got it!

But what do you do in that order?
you're right, I didn't specify what puzzles me:

1- when you say flat frequency response on the DSP, you mean flat graphical setting? and what is test tone, how to use it? what should be the end result?

2- about the Amp Crossover / low pass filter, i am interested in setting where the subwoofer kicks in, but where do you set those? i don't seem to have them (i have NAV with DSP MKIII)

3- ok

4- Source (Ipod): so now after I have completed the above, I set my preferences on the Ipod? then I should get the sound i want?

Thanks again!!

Remember, you responded to a thread from a person with an aftermarket subwoofer amp, and how to tune that amp to mesh well with the factory system. The steps above answer that question.

It sounds like you are asking about something different (related to your ipod) which is why the response above doesn't make sense.

What exactly is your issue?

d-

bgsquad · #7 07-20-2009, 02:45 PM

mmmm... seems i'm so pissed off with setting my audio that i am only reading selectively :s my mistake

My story is that I am so desperate to get the sound i like, but with the Ipod, tone, and DSP,i am just messing up with those three at the same time and the result is not satisfying...

I want a moderately strong bass, suppressed middle frequencies, and moderetaly strong trebble.I put my settings on Ipod then DSP (almost same as Ipod) and then boost the bass and trebble with the tone, the result is not what i want :'(

maybe there is no solution to be done remotely, i need someone who can "feel" how the system is responding to different settings... i just don't have the feel!!

Sorry to bother you with my stupid adventure! It's been a year now and still can't get the sound i want!

DouglasABaker · #8 07-20-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgsquad

mmmm... seems i'm so pissed off with setting my audio that i am only reading selectively :s my mistake

My story is that I am so desperate to get the sound i like, but with the Ipod, tone, and DSP,i am just messing up with those three at the same time and the result is not satisfying...

I want a moderately strong bass, suppressed middle frequencies, and moderetaly strong trebble.I put my settings on Ipod then DSP (almost same as Ipod) and then boost the bass and trebble with the tone, the result is not what i want :'(

maybe there is no solution to be done remotely, i need someone who can "feel" how the system is responding to different settings... i just don't have the feel!!

Sorry to bother you with my stupid adventure! It's been a year now and still can't get the sound i want!

Only you know your own ears, and what sounds good, but here is what I can tell you about the various adjustments.

First, they are applied in this order:
Ipod
Bass/Treble
Equalizer

From a "fineness" perspective (ability to adjust in small increments), they rank (from fine to gross):
Equalizer
Ipod
Bass/Treble

My suggestion would be to set everything to flat (including the Ipod).

Then, using the Equalizer, adjust the sound how you would like it. If you need additional adjustment (can't get the treble loud enough, for example), then return the EQ to flat, and then adjust the bass/treble 1 notch in the direction you need. Now go back to the EQ and try again.

The trouble you are having now is that you are making fine adjustments first (Ipod / EQ) and then making gross adjustments afterward (the bass/treble). Reverse the order and you should have better results.

Think of it this way: Your EQ has 11 different adjustment ranges (I think - I removed mine). Your bass / treble knobs adjust 5-7 of those at a time. In other words, move the treble 1 position is the same as going into the EQ and adjusting about 5-7 of the ranges that are in there.

d-

Tequan · #9 07-21-2009, 05:41 PM

Anytime you are talking about adjusting speakers or a sub amp,you need an o-scope so you can see where the signal is clipped.Disconnect your sub wires and insert the o-scope leads into the speaker inputs.Turn your head unit up to the volume where the signal is cut off at the top,or clipped.Then you would adjust the filters on ur sub amp to obtain the cleanest signal to the sub itself.

DouglasABaker · #10 07-21-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tequan

Anytime you are talking about adjusting speakers or a sub amp,you need an o-scope so you can see where the signal is clipped.Disconnect your sub wires and insert the o-scope leads into the speaker inputs.Turn your head unit up to the volume where the signal is cut off at the top,or clipped.Then you would adjust the filters on ur sub amp to obtain the cleanest signal to the sub itself.

While this is certainly the "proper" way to do it, very few individuals have access to an oscilloscope.

What we do typically have access to, however, are max output voltages from the various sources, which can then be measured using a voltmeter to ensure they are not exceeded. This may not be the 100% perfect way of doing it, but most folks don't know how to use or read an oscilloscope anyway, and of the ones that do, only a small percentage are willing to invest the necessary $$$ for a 1 time use.

d-

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