Any way to make Rock/Metal sound good with a subwoofer?

[bartwo 0]

I've been in the subwoofer game since I was 17 and I'm 27 now. I have never managed to figure out how to get a subwoofer to really KICK for rock/metal, it only seems to be hip hop or techno music that makes a subwoofer noticeable.

My questions are:

1. Is this more related to the production of rock/metal albums?

2. Do I just need to throw more power at my system? I'm only using an Infinity Kappa Perfect 12.1 in a sealed 1.25 cube box right now with an older Sony XM3001SXD amp(600w @ 2ohm).

3. Do you know a trick I don't?

Edited March 4, 2010 by bartwo

[j-roadtatts 1,129]

If the music doesn't have the low freq. It doesn't matter what sub you have, You CAN'T boost something that isn't there.

[Duran 387]

It's all in the installation.

[NB50 206]

Front stage.

[j-roadtatts 1,129]

It's all in the installation.

X2 And tuning.

[Sir-Lancelot 216]

Midbass FTW.

[Frostedflakejake 148]

yeah somethings wrong there.

it may not be as loud as the rap, but it should definately be noticeable. What kind of box is it in? That could be the culprite. I had two relatively noob setups (2 12'' mtx tr55 in a mtx ported box and 2 12'' Pioneer Championship series cheapies in Sealed boxes) and both provided a good, noticable addition to my music regardless of what genre i was listening to. And that was on a Crunch p1100.2, which is saying something. And you have a relatively cheap sub, and a relatively cheap amp BUT that doesn't necessarily mean that the sub shouldn't be noticeable. The box is real real real really important. so that information would help us greatly.

of course, rock and metal "kick" would sound best with a good mid-stage but i know alot of people don't want to get into that.

[j-roadtatts 1,129]

What frequency CAN'T you hear when you are listening to rock/metal?

[bartwo 0]

What frequency CAN'T you hear when you are listening to rock/metal?

The kick drums are rarely ever pronounced. I'll hear the bass just fine.

[Sir-Lancelot 216]

Midbass FTW.

^

uh, hum!

[KU40 173]

Where is your low pass filter set? But yes, midbass would be your better friend for rock music. Maybe think about putting some 8's (midbasses, not subs), in your doors.

[j-roadtatts 1,129]

What frequency CAN'T you hear when you are listening to rock/metal?

The kick drums are rarely ever pronounced. I'll hear the bass just fine.

You are not lacking sub, you are lacking 80-500hz. This is where the fundamental notes are that make kick drum sound "tight".

[Kanaworm$ 292]

Definately midbass is what you need! I would look into a 7-8" driver for that application.

[///M5 2,833]

Front stage >>>> subwoofer

In particular for your application. Lots of ways to improve it. I'd MUCH, MUCH rather have a kick ass front stage and no sub, than the opposite.

[Randal Johnson 544]

I agree with M5 ... Get the front stage up to par, sometimes you'll forget you have subs in the back ... This is not an easy task depending on the vehicle ... good luck sir.

Edited March 4, 2010 by Cablguy184

[bartwo 0]

Well I did some messing around on my lunch break. I set the fader to be biased towards the rear 6.5" speakers and it helped tremendously with not sounding so shitty. I think I'll invest in some aftermarket 6.5"s as only my front components have been switched out. I hear the rear 6.5's more so than the fronts, I am in a Chevy Colorado mind you

I do feel maybe I need a more powerful sub/amp setup though. I have to crank my Alpine to 22 for the sub to get "loud enough" and by then the music source is starting to distort.

[Sir-Lancelot 216]

Well I did some messing around on my lunch break. I set the fader to be biased towards the rear 6.5" speakers and it helped tremendously with not sounding so shitty. I think I'll invest in some aftermarket 6.5"s as only my front components have been switched out. I hear the rear 6.5's more so than the fronts, I am in a Chevy Colorado mind you

I do feel maybe I need a more powerful sub/amp setup though. I have to crank my Alpine to 22 for the sub to get "loud enough" and by then the music source is starting to distort.

Um, yea...

Do you want kick drums or do you want more sub bass or do you even know?

[Randal Johnson 544]

Think of it this way ... I have a teenager and a "almost" teenager (boys) ... You can imagine the rock stuff they listen to ...

My "rock disc of choice" at shows is "The Way of The Fist" by "5 Finger Death Punch" ... Loud and Proud with no distortion ...

[bartwo 0]

Well I did some messing around on my lunch break. I set the fader to be biased towards the rear 6.5" speakers and it helped tremendously with not sounding so shitty. I think I'll invest in some aftermarket 6.5"s as only my front components have been switched out. I hear the rear 6.5's more so than the fronts, I am in a Chevy Colorado mind you

I do feel maybe I need a more powerful sub/amp setup though. I have to crank my Alpine to 22 for the sub to get "loud enough" and by then the music source is starting to distort.

Um, yea...

Do you want kick drums or do you want more sub bass or do you even know?

Both, which is why I just said I should upgrade my 6.5's. Some albums I have are produced so that the kick drum is low enough for the sub to produce the audio for it quite well. Case in point, Chevelle's "Wonder What's Next"

[Sir-Lancelot 216]

Well I did some messing around on my lunch break. I set the fader to be biased towards the rear 6.5" speakers and it helped tremendously with not sounding so shitty. I think I'll invest in some aftermarket 6.5"s as only my front components have been switched out. I hear the rear 6.5's more so than the fronts, I am in a Chevy Colorado mind you

I do feel maybe I need a more powerful sub/amp setup though. I have to crank my Alpine to 22 for the sub to get "loud enough" and by then the music source is starting to distort.

Um, yea...

Do you want kick drums or do you want more sub bass or do you even know?

Both, which is why I just said I should upgrade my 6.5's. Some albums I have are produced so that the kick drum is low enough for the sub to produce the audio for it quite well. Case in point, Chevelle's "Wonder What's Next"

Cool. I agree and Chevelle rocks.

Look for the biggest driver you can fit in your front doors even if you have to trim and go to town deanening and sealing. You have to seal off the front of the driver from the rear. Midbass is hard to achieve in a car because the car itaelf is designed to cover quiet those frequencies. You have to work harder and outsmart your car. Also important to deaden the door. Buzz is not bass. If you get your mid bass better (read lower/louder), it allows you to lower your sub crossover and then you will find what you want and may find your sub is pretty damn good as it is.

[Notorious97200 339]

How did you installed your speakers in your front doors ? Any deadening done ? Do you have wood ring (don't remember the right word)to hold the speakers ?

You're still using your stock speakers upfront ? They don't have good midbass usually.

An amplifier would let you play at higher volume without distortion.

Work on your instal before buying any speakers.

Good luck.

[bartwo 0]

Thanks guys. Maybe I'll rethink my decision not to amp the components up front, I just don't know where to put an amp in my truck...I'll figure something out! I have no sound deadening, just let the local shop install my components the other day, I'll check their work because the sound is less than stellar.

[Sir-Lancelot 216]

Do a little searching about it. I can guarantee the install shop did nothing special. It's too expensive and time consuming and people will not pay for it. If you want a good install you either need deep pockets or lots of time to do it yourself. One thing deep pockets cant buy tho is the satisfaction of knowing it's done right because you did it. Even when you write that big check know they did cut corners because it's not their car.