I had cartoys install my focal components running off a infinity amp and my jl 10w3v2 running off a jl 250/1 mono. The installer tuned the system to have absolutely no bass at all coming from the front components. The 10w3v2 hits hard but on some songs that have alot of mid bass, I get NO bass what so ever from the sub leaving me with just a tinny sound from my components. Is it typical to setup the front 6.5 inch speaker to put out zero bass? Seems like a waste to me. I would think a little mid bass would help balance out the sound. Any suggestions would be helpfull. Thanks in advance!

 

The 6.5 inch component mid-woofers should be doing more work. Mine are able to do amazing amounts of bass causing the door - the door, not just the plastic panels - to vibrate with the lower notes.

Three things are possible - first the guy has the crossover set way too high between your Infinity and JL amps in your headend. If it's set to 120 Hz crank that guy down to about 60-80. Basically you want those mid-bass speakers doing as much work as possible and leave the subwoofer only to do the lowest octave or octabe and a half.

Second thing that comes to mind is the HP and LP adjustments on your Infininty amplifier. If the HP filter was rotated clockwise too far you'd be up at 320 Hz - which sort of sounds like what you're describing. Crank that thing down to about the 9:00 position and give that thing a listen. That ought to be down around 60 Hz or so.

And last the mid-bass speakers might be wired out-of-phase so that one is pushing while the other is pulling canceling out each other's efforts. That is a too common problem that results in weak bass but from what you're describing you have no bass so my money's on the first two guesses.

$0.30 on the headend crossover
$0.60 on the Infinity HP filter
$0.10 on the speaker phase

Paul

 

Your awesome Paul! I will check it out. The installer told me he preferred no base from the components which seemed kinda odd to me but I went along with it thinking the pros know best. Maybe for the kind of music he listens to its tuned correctly but I listen to all kinds of music from rap to classical so I need a setup that can sounds good with just about anything. Thank you sir for your well thought out advice.

 

I'm not sure I agree with Pauls assesment of the HZ.

120hz is in the mid base range... 60-80 is basicaly the attack on a kick drum or the LOW E on a 6 string bass.

Voice is around the 200s with 150 being pretty deep.... I think 120 is an acceptable cut.. (Myself)

I agree 100% with the other checks... Make sure your not double x-over head unit and amp, check wires, etc, etc. Check your GAIN and ensure your volume balance isn't off horribly.

 

HP was not set to 320 but pretty darn close. I set it to 9:00 like Paul suggested. It was a bit too deep for my tastes. I set it probably around 120-150 and mids started pumping just enough. Had to turn the treble on the headunit up from 0 to +2. Sounds sooooo much more balanced now. I'll keep toying with it just a little until its perfect for me. Thanks!

 

I set my HPF to 120. Wish I something to handle the 65-120 range with my sub cut at 65. But don't have that capability now so I got a gap in the sound.