How can I tune out the brightness of my tweeters?

[smitty]

And before anybody says anything, i've already tried f*cking with the crossover, the equalizer, even the crossover hardware that came with the splits.

I can't seem to tune out the "brightness" of the tweeters on my Boston Acoustics RC 620s. I understand that they are know to have bright tweeters, but i'd rather not have to rip them out and replace them with something else, which the only remaining option I can see.

My headunit is an Alpine CDA-9887, and amp running the splits is a Boston Acoustics GT-42.

 

[cyber_scriber]

Alex.

I used to previously run the Boston Pro and Rally series splits and like you, also found the metallic tweeters a little bright and "in your face" for my liking.

Some component crossovers usually have a -3 / +3db (or similar) switching point for the tweeter. Have you tried selecting the - value?

Next plan of attack is to play with the settings on the head unit, amp and equaliser.

If that gives you no joy, your next option is to move the tweeter further away from you. Having them mounted in the factory spot in the A pillar sails will exacerbate the brightness of the tweeter. Another option is to place them in the kick panels near the feet, the idea being to lengthen the sound path to your ears.

A good trick is to move the tweeter around using blue tack to temporarily secure it in place in different positions. Once you find a position with reduced trble brightness, then work on a permanent mounting in that position.

 

[cyber_scriber]

Just had a quick look on the specs of the RC620 and they do have an adjustable tweeter level on the crossover to tweak the tweeter's output. That would be your first, cheapest and best bet.

 

[SupremeMoFo]

Because of the not-so-great position I've put my Alpine Type-R tweeters in, even -6dB doesn't help much...

 

[Joe Bellissimo]

Where are they located?

 

[pu-11-me]

Sounds like you don't have enough power going to the crossover. Had the same problem with the Type-X's before I installed a second amp for the sub and bridged each speaker!

 

[5m3g_head]

you can add more attenuation to the tweeter with two resistors.

http://www.diyaudioandvideo.com/Calculator/LPad/Help.aspx

and the calculator is here

http://www.diyaudioandvideo.com/Calculator/LPad/

considering this is already built into the crossover, Im not sure how adding another one would effect things. Perhaps you can set the xover to 0db attenuation then add your custom Lpad.

 

[smitty]

Just had a quick look on the specs of the RC620 and they do have an adjustable tweeter level on the crossover to tweak the tweeter's output. That would be your first, cheapest and best bet.

I've already adjusted the tweeter output on the crossovers, to no avail. I've fiddled with head unit settings for hours, with no success....

Where are they located?

My tweeters are located in the factory location, and unfortunately because I got them second hand, i dont have the mounting pods they came with, to shift them around.

I know these tweeters are matched to the driver/crossover but what about replacing the tweeters with a Jaycar set or something like that?

Thanks all for your help, is very insightful

 

[5m3g_head]

Replacing the tweeters will only help if the new tweeters have a lower sensitivity that the old ones. Sensitivity is the db @ 1w/1m specification. Trouble is you arnt going to be able to find that spec for the tweeter you have and measuring it is a PITA.

Try the L-Pad, its only two resistors, get the 10w ones from jaycar, they are like $1.50ea

 

[OVR444]

I know I'm going to get shot down by audiophiles for this; but i actually cut a very thin piece of deadening foam in front of the tweeters, between the tweeter and the plastic cover (factory locations) to reduce the brightness of mine. Still sounds exceptionally clear; just took the harshness away when they are up loud.

 

[cyber_scriber]

*Loads shotgun* ... lol!

An interesting, band aid solution but hey, if it works ...

Don't worry about what the audiophiles say. You're the one that has to listen to the set up every day.

If the foam layer works for you and you are happy with the sound, then you have found the solution!

 

[OVR444]

*Loads shotgun* ... lol!

An interesting, band aid solution but hey, if it works ...

Don't worry about what the audiophiles say. You're the one that has to listen to the set up every day.

If the foam layer works for you and you are happy with the sound, then you have found the solution!

Haha; it goes against everything i would ever recommend; but it does work; I didn't want to spend money and didn't want to cut holes in the door cards to move the tweeters closer to the main driver, so I guess, yeah it works for me.

 

[CANDEE]

You could try stretching some thin fabric(like lycra) over the tweeters... I used to have the same issue with my old Lanzar tweeters, but they were awesome on the DLS crossovers I had in the car afterwards.