2010 Alpine Sub
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3
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I thought the sound was kind of okay until I jumped back in my old F150. That truck had the "crappy" MTX thunderform box with 2 "crappy" 8" MTX subs. And it really pounds compared to the Alpine setup.
The problem with the Alpine setup, to me, is all in the bottom third. The top half sounds amazing - much better than my amp-driven expensive component speakers in my Ford. There seems to be a hole between the mids and the bass, and the factory equalizer makes it worse. I personally have the eq set to: Bass +4, Mids -2, Treble -1. That seems to get all the harshness out of the higher range frequencies and gets the real muddy sound out of the midrange. But there's still a hole in the low end where the door speakers stop and the sub isn't quite big enough to round it out.
I would like to make a balanced system where the music sounds as it was intended to be heard. I am not an expert on mobile audio, but I trust my ears. Here are my questions/concerns:
1) Is the sub just under powered? That is completely possible in my mind. My 2 MTX 8s produce significantly more bass than this single 8" Alpine. Maybe a better 8" with more power would be enough, but the cost would probably suggest an upgrade to a single 10" like the JL box solution.
2) Would a 10" sub make up the difference? Maybe the 8 just doesn't have the range it needs to fill in where the door speakers are filtered.
3) Can the factory filters on the door speakers be defeated, or are they in the amp? If the filtering is being done at the amp, that's a problem, I don't want to do that much work. It just seems like any decent 6x9 speaker would have better low-end bass than what I'm getting out of the door speakers. With the great treble coming from the dash/roof, it's hard to believe that the door speakers can't fill in the lower third of the midrange better than this. Either those speakers are poor quality, or the filter is just too high.
Looking at that thread at DIY, he says:
And another guy seems to back this up, saying:
Not sure why they would electronically filter those rear speakers, but apparently they did. Sounds like the front speakers have a physical filter on them. Possibly replacing those four speakers would fix the glaring hole in the bottom third of the mid range IF you picked the right speakers.
For the sub, the kicker sub/amp combo makes some degree of sense, and it's nice that it's a mopar piece, but for the money, I can't imagine it being as good as the JL unit. Sounds like the kicker amp is hidden better than an aftermarket installation, though, especially in a crew cab.
Anybody else think I'm on the right track? I just installed some top of the line JLs in my Duster. If they weren't so hard to get out, I would be throwing those in the doors to see if it would fix it, but I can't get them out that easily.
The problem with the Alpine setup, to me, is all in the bottom third. The top half sounds amazing - much better than my amp-driven expensive component speakers in my Ford. There seems to be a hole between the mids and the bass, and the factory equalizer makes it worse. I personally have the eq set to: Bass +4, Mids -2, Treble -1. That seems to get all the harshness out of the higher range frequencies and gets the real muddy sound out of the midrange. But there's still a hole in the low end where the door speakers stop and the sub isn't quite big enough to round it out.
I would like to make a balanced system where the music sounds as it was intended to be heard. I am not an expert on mobile audio, but I trust my ears. Here are my questions/concerns:
1) Is the sub just under powered? That is completely possible in my mind. My 2 MTX 8s produce significantly more bass than this single 8" Alpine. Maybe a better 8" with more power would be enough, but the cost would probably suggest an upgrade to a single 10" like the JL box solution.
2) Would a 10" sub make up the difference? Maybe the 8 just doesn't have the range it needs to fill in where the door speakers are filtered.
3) Can the factory filters on the door speakers be defeated, or are they in the amp? If the filtering is being done at the amp, that's a problem, I don't want to do that much work. It just seems like any decent 6x9 speaker would have better low-end bass than what I'm getting out of the door speakers. With the great treble coming from the dash/roof, it's hard to believe that the door speakers can't fill in the lower third of the midrange better than this. Either those speakers are poor quality, or the filter is just too high.
Looking at that thread at DIY, he says:
The factory amp cuts off the dash speakers around 120Hz already, the rear corner speakers are cut between 80-100Hz, and the front door speakers are on a 20Hz to 1500Hz filter from the factory... Almost like they knew I was going to try something crazy and cheap...
i changed the surround speakers with alpine 6x9s but they sound like crap. the fronts are all bass and the rears are like super tweeters.
For the sub, the kicker sub/amp combo makes some degree of sense, and it's nice that it's a mopar piece, but for the money, I can't imagine it being as good as the JL unit. Sounds like the kicker amp is hidden better than an aftermarket installation, though, especially in a crew cab.
Anybody else think I'm on the right track? I just installed some top of the line JLs in my Duster. If they weren't so hard to get out, I would be throwing those in the doors to see if it would fix it, but I can't get them out that easily.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3
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This information is helpful and explains some things:
The new Alpine systems are available as part of the Dodge Ram's premium
audio package, setting a new standard in audio performance in the light duty
truck market. The regular cab enjoys an eight-channel amplifier with seven
speakers optimally positioned to create a powerful listening experience. The
premium package in Dodge Ram Quad Cab(R) and Crew 1500 include Alpine's
adaptive surround technology, Euphony(TM) Automobile. The system creates a
realistic sound stage in the Ram's cabin through its 12-channel amplifier that
powers 10 speakers, including a subwoofer and two surround speakers in the
headliner.
"These new audio systems set a new standard in vehicle sound," said Todd
Kovach, vice president and general manager. "Alpine's proven history and
innovative design expertise combine to deliver the best in audio performance,
packaging and integration for a powerful listening experience. We are excited
to partner with Dodge on this highly anticipated new truck program."
About Euphony(TM) Automobile
Alpine's adaptive surround technology is the next generation in matrix
surround sound, developed in joint partnership with DiMAGIC, a Japanese
acoustics analysis company. Euphony(TM) Automobile:
-- Uses adaptive filtering to provide multi-channel surround playback
from a two-channel source
-- Employs cutting edge technologies unlike the simple calculations of
L-R and R-L of conventional matrix surround generators
-- Extracts correlated and uncorrelated elements from constantly changing
stereo input signal using adaptive digital filters to deliver the best
surround experience
-- Delivers an exceptional listening experience. The results:
-- Stable surround channels eliminate pumping effect
-- Excellent center localization for a wide sound stage
-- Comfortable, non-fatiguing listening experience
The new Alpine systems are available as part of the Dodge Ram's premium
audio package, setting a new standard in audio performance in the light duty
truck market. The regular cab enjoys an eight-channel amplifier with seven
speakers optimally positioned to create a powerful listening experience. The
premium package in Dodge Ram Quad Cab(R) and Crew 1500 include Alpine's
adaptive surround technology, Euphony(TM) Automobile. The system creates a
realistic sound stage in the Ram's cabin through its 12-channel amplifier that
powers 10 speakers, including a subwoofer and two surround speakers in the
headliner.
"These new audio systems set a new standard in vehicle sound," said Todd
Kovach, vice president and general manager. "Alpine's proven history and
innovative design expertise combine to deliver the best in audio performance,
packaging and integration for a powerful listening experience. We are excited
to partner with Dodge on this highly anticipated new truck program."
About Euphony(TM) Automobile
Alpine's adaptive surround technology is the next generation in matrix
surround sound, developed in joint partnership with DiMAGIC, a Japanese
acoustics analysis company. Euphony(TM) Automobile:
-- Uses adaptive filtering to provide multi-channel surround playback
from a two-channel source
-- Employs cutting edge technologies unlike the simple calculations of
L-R and R-L of conventional matrix surround generators
-- Extracts correlated and uncorrelated elements from constantly changing
stereo input signal using adaptive digital filters to deliver the best
surround experience
-- Delivers an exceptional listening experience. The results:
-- Stable surround channels eliminate pumping effect
-- Excellent center localization for a wide sound stage
-- Comfortable, non-fatiguing listening experience