Rule of thumb is to start at 0 and tune from there.

Where did you find that Alpine sets 0 at -15dB? I've been meaning to look it up to verify, but haven't had time (work's been crazy this week).

 

Thanks! I'm doing part time school too, and that just started today. It's going to be busy pretty soon. I was really hoping to have everything on my install done right and finished by now, but at least I have the bulk of the work done and have sound today.

I have a phantom noise issue too... it was there at the start and disappeared shortly after. I just finished not an hour ago, so we'll see if the noise stays gone or comes and goes over the next few days. Watch, we'll find out it's something like a fan kicking on and off causing the issues for us...

I haven't even started thinking about fixing the (new and old) rattles and such... ugh...

 

hmm, actually I can't say with certainty in this case; Alpine's online specs for the IDA doesn't specify how the sub level control works. however, as far as I am aware, this is the way they've done it in the past. also, i spot checked a couple current models and those that specify (the 9886 for example) do so like this:

http://alpine-usa.com/product/view/cda-9886/Specs

Sound Tuning
Subwoofer Level Adjustment: -15dB to 0dB (1dB steps)

 

If I turn the subwoofer volume on the HU down to 0, I have no output to the sub at all.

The noise I'm getting is my tweeters crackling when the bass hits, almost like they're blown, but it's only on one or two songs. I'm not sure what it is.

Really pissed about the PPI crossover covers vibrating like a son of a bitch.

Need to try and sound deaden the top of the of my door. I get the door panel vibrating on the rear (top rear), and the front (Right under the A-pillar, near the speaker grill). Going to see if I can get some type of foam to put in there, to see if that stops it. Going to try and use some weatherstripping foam around the seal of the crossover cover, to see if that stops them from vibrating.

Going back to school too. Saw you're going for Mechanical Engineering. That makes two of us. Do you hate all your classes as much as I do?

 

Well, early on in my BS it was a mixed bag. Sometimes I loved it, sometimes I didn't care much for it. When I was as I was a senior I found that I loved all of the ME courses when I could take my time, but I generally hated the workload. I was pretty burnt out by the finish, so I worked about 2 years before starting an MS. I loved the class material, but I always took one class too many and hated having no life and never being done with this or that stupid assignment.

It's the same now starting my MS. I love the material, but only if I can take my time and do it at a leisurely pace. I started back last semester and took 6 hours while working full time; it was too much some weeks and just right others. Once I have to do assignments quickly and just get the work done by the nearby deadline, it takes all the fun out of it and is just work. When I can just learn about the interesting parts I really love it.

My job is pretty boring now though; I don't use my brain enough to be satisfied. My wife is doing her medical residency, so when my last company ran out of money for their DARPA project, I couldn't move to take another fun, challenging job--Utah only has so much to offer that way. So the intellectual work of school is very welcome. I'm now taking school easy, just one class at a time and 3/year, so I can look up all the interesting side items and not feel pressed for time, so I've really enjoyed it.

But the 15 semester hour loads with 20-30hrs a week of part time work got really old. You working on a BS, MS? (or PhD?)

 

You're using MP3s (went with the X305)?

If so, then it sounds like the issue is a bad rip (which isn't altogether uncommon with mp3s).

Reality is that you can't build a true SQ system around mp3s (and that's what the X-series does). An mp3 at 320kbps has 1/5 the data of the same track on a CD. The mp3 compression itself reduces the dynamic range of the music - by first cutting the "fat" and then by boosting what's left artificially to cover up for the lost sound info.


As for engineering...I've attempted that route a time or two. The last time I attempted, I got rather bored with my required "Intro to Electronics/Computer Engineering" course - given that I'd worked as a tech/FSE for the previous 7 years (including 6 months of Tech School - 3 months, 40hr weeks of electronics principles followed by job specific training for 3 months) and I could have taught the course better than the professor...

Was really funny when he posted up a chart of the average starting salaries for various engineering majors...and I was on track to double it already. Kinda that "wait, I already make 2x that...why the hell am I here?" moment...

 

I'm going for my BS. In my 2nd / 3rd year. I really don't know anymore. All my classes blow though. I'm not sure what all classes I have left to take. I'm kinda just rolling with it, and saying "Sign me up. I don't care what they are, they're going to suck."

The noise I'm assuming is from the MP3. Oh well.

 

sorry man, a lot of that part of school sucked, i agree.

it does get better. a lot better. the last semester or two was the part where i really started to enjoy the class material. and i really enjoy the career, even though my current job is pretty lame.

and if the mp3s were the issue, great--your system is good! i've had that happen before too (artifacts that sound like absolute s*&*, and in once case, an artifact that nearly blew my speakers), but never with a test track.

 

the IDA series also supports Apple Lossless, which is bit-for-bit identical to the original.

 

Alright, bought a new camera, and going to take some pictures soon to show my install.

Got a few things I still need advice on though:
1) How do you keep your sub box from sliding? Mine keeps sliding and hitting the trunk hinge, and now I've got an area where the carpet covering is gone.
2) How do you guys keep the trunk emergency release on the inside from rattling?

Adjusted a few more of my settings, and got it sounding pretty nice. need to adjust my gain though, because when I did it originally, I measured it WAY too high (like 85-90% of max volume). Want to do it this week, but it's REALLY cold out, so Idk. I might wait until it warms up a little more...