Rep Power: 786

okay I just put an amp for my front speakers in today, and it sounds beautiful compared to how it was, however I think I can do better. some bitches I have with it right now are:

• some songs don't seem to go loud enough
• some songs are just way too harsh on the ears
• i want vocals to be around the same level in each song
• etc

any tips on where I can go? I just spent about an hour sitting in my car dicking around, but I think I can do better still

 
Rep Power: 0

Hmm... Wow. I replaced all four speakers with Fosgates after Christmas, and powered them with a four channel amp. That sounded pretty good, but I was pissed cuz it was all instruments, no bass. So I added a single 12" sub powered by the same amp, and my system sounds exactly how I want. The amp is 1200 watts RMS which might be why I like it so much. But I think the music sounds dry without a sub, but that's just me.

 
Rep Power: 0

By the way, you should power all four speakers equally, and you'd probably like the sound a lot better. That is, if you are already not doing this.

 
Rep Power: 786

I run front speakers and sub, really there is no need to worry about back speakers... at least that is my take on things... if you are trying to make your car sound like a concert hall you want to concentrate your sound at the front and not woryr about what is behind you

 
Rep Power: 0

So you're saying if you have front components that are rated 150 watts rms and then rear 6x9"s that can handle 75 watts rms, to get a 4 channel amp... yes you COULD but in all reality, it'd be better to get an electronic xover for each driver, and then push each set with a different amp, better matched for the speakers. A 4 channel amp is just the easier and more money efficient way of handling things. If you're a person who messes with time correction, throw in an equalizer for each driver as well.

Anyways, mega do you listen to burned cds? Your goal would be a lot easier if you listened to store bought cds as far as the volume leveling goes.

 
Rep Power: 300

are you saying you got less bass after swapping speakers even though you amped them?

 
Rep Power: 786

yes i am going to buy a couple good reference discs

any suggestions?

I am going to try and get the IASCA or USACi SQ discs (or both), and a Norah Jones CD that I can't recall the title of atm

 
Rep Power: 310

Norah Jones, you wan't the CD "Come away with me" Probably for the song, "seven years". You also want to hit up the following

ARTIST ALBUM SONG
Eagles, Hell freezes over, #6 Hotel California Live
Clair Marlo, ??, I believe
Roots, Come alive, Various songs for bass
Chicago, Greatest hits, Hard to say sorry & You're then inspiration
Take 6, So cool, Evermore
Diana Krall, Love scenes, all or nothing
Tracy Chapman,New beginnings, Track 1

 
Rep Power: 0

Eagles Live "Hotel California" is amazing when properly staged and imaged. Another can't miss is Floyd's "Dark Side" and Morphine "Cure for Pain," also anything by Lucinda Williams. The best tip is when you burn ANY CD to your pc, do it redbook (1 x1 speed) for best SQ. I've become a SQ snob, and find it hard to listen to many CD's with ambient noise. AHH, Phil Collins "Take Me Home" = unreal on a good SQ setup.

 
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F' This! I'm gonna go sit in my car and lose my mind to Floyd, or maybe some remastered Dead.

 
Rep Power: 310

You know what sounds pretty cool on a good SQ system too, Remake of Phil Collins' "Take me home" A capella - I think it's by Alea.