[Xaero]

I have finally finished my system install after having to return the first MS-8 that was DOA.

After running the sweeps and adjusting gains on the amps everything sounds worse than stock (except now I hav base from the 10w6). I know I need to play with the EQ settings some, but not sure where to begin. Can someone post their EQ settings they are happy with?

AMPS:
JL 600/6
JL 600/1

MS-8 Setup:
CH 1. -> AMP -> OEM Door L
CH 2. -> AMP -> OEM Door R
CH 3. -> AMP -> SSMB8 L
CH 4. -> AMP -> SSMB8 R
CH 5. -> OEM Center
CH 6. -> OEM Rear L (in parallel)
CH 7. -> OEM Rear R (in parallel)
CH 8. - AMP -> 10in Sub (10w6)

Sub low pass: 80HZ
Front Low/Hi pass: 170HZ
Center Hi pass: 150HZ
Rear Hi Pass: 150HZ

After all these settings and the EQ flat, things sound awful.

[kaigoss69]

Calibration volume?
Sweep volume? (how loud and are the sweeps consistent)

Do you have a centered image?
Do you hear distortion? (from where)

What inputs? (HiFi, L7 or base)
Do you have HU EQ/Processing defeated?

[Xaero]

I've tried to follow the various guides posted on this site.. I have the L7 system, and I calibrated at ~48clicks and -20dB on the MS-8.

I don't hear any distortion. The system sounds like it is playing over a PA system. At low volumes its ok, but the higher the volume the worse the sound gets.

The HU EQ is flat and L7 turned off.

[Technic]

Try:

- Calibration volume -45dB
- Front low/hi at 150Hz at -6db
- Center at 160Hz at -24dB
- Rear at 150hz at -24dB
- Sub at 80Hz at -18db with subsonic at 20Hz at -24dB
- MS-8 volume after sweeps -10dB

[kaigoss69]

Since you're running the sides off the MS-8, I can tell you that the calibration volume MUST be under -30dB. Anything louder will cause distortion and/or clipping of the mics. -35 to -45 should be the range you want to try. You also MUST adjust all amp gains such that the individual sweeps are roughly the same volume as the sides. Make the adjustments using the first sweep of each seating position, since it sweeps the underseats separately from the doors. You'll probably have to do this a few times until you get it right. Oh and the sub.... forget about level matching. Just set the amp gain such that you can barely hear the sub sweep. You definitely don't want to feel it, otherwise it is too loud.

[Xaero]

Originally Posted by Technic

Try:

- Calibration volume -45dB
- Front low/hi at 150Hz at -6db
- Center at 160Hz at -24dB
- Rear at 150hz at -24dB
- Sub at 80Hz at -18db with subsonic at 20Hz at -24dB
- MS-8 volume after sweeps -10dB

Originally Posted by kaigoss69

Since you're running the sides off the MS-8, I can tell you that the calibration volume MUST be under -30dB. Anything louder will cause distortion and/or clipping of the mics. -35 to -45 should be the range you want to try. You also MUST adjust all amp gains such that the individual sweeps are roughly the same volume as the sides. Make the adjustments using the first sweep of each seating position, since it sweeps the underseats separately from the doors. You'll probably have to do this a few times until you get it right. Oh and the sub.... forget about level matching. Just set the amp gain such that you can barely hear the sub sweep. You definitely don't want to feel it, otherwise it is too loud.

This seems to have made a huge difference.. I will keep tweaking and see how it goes.

[JordonMusser]

I followed the recommendations, and when I calibrate at lower levels (-45 for example) i get huge distortion in the speakers at low volume level after. It is actually better when I calibrate with higher volume. But it still isn't "great". I did setup the cross overs as above. Just curious, is there a way to completely bypass the MS-8 for testing purposes? (with out actual wire changes)

my setup is the following:
stock HU (hifi)
MS-8 (obv)
600/1
600/6

channel list:
1) SL, stock rear left (MS amp)
2) SR, Stock rear right (MS amp)
3) ctr, Vibe 4" 2-way (MS amp)
4) FLhi, DLS R4 (600/6) (bridged ch1/2)
5) FRhi, DLS R4 (600/6) (bridged ch3/4)
6) FLlo, SSMB8 (600/6) (ch 5)
7) FRlo, SSMB8 (600/6) (ch 6)
8) Sub (12" JL for now) (600/1)

Thoughts?

[kaigoss69]

My recommendations were based on MS-8 integration with Logic 7 OEM amp and speakers, which is totally different from what you have.

I would look at some of Technic's install posts (the ones that start with "notes on a...") as I believe your exact set-up has been done before.

My guess is that your levels are mismatched, and that your calibration volume is incorrect.

[JordonMusser]

ahhhh. makes sense. I will do some searching. thanks.

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by Technic

Try:

- Calibration volume -45dB
- Front low/hi at 150Hz at -6db
- Center at 160Hz at -24dB
- Rear at 150hz at -24dB
- Sub at 80Hz at -18db with subsonic at 20Hz at -24dB
- MS-8 volume after sweeps -10dB

Originally Posted by kaigoss69

Since you're running the sides off the MS-8, I can tell you that the calibration volume MUST be under -30dB. Anything louder will cause distortion and/or clipping of the mics. -35 to -45 should be the range you want to try. You also MUST adjust all amp gains such that the individual sweeps are roughly the same volume as the sides. Make the adjustments using the first sweep of each seating position, since it sweeps the underseats separately from the doors. You'll probably have to do this a few times until you get it right. Oh and the sub.... forget about level matching. Just set the amp gain such that you can barely hear the sub sweep. You definitely don't want to feel it, otherwise it is too loud.

Originally Posted by JordonMusser

I followed the recommendations, and when I calibrate at lower levels (-45 for example) i get huge distortion in the speakers at low volume level after. It is actually better when I calibrate with higher volume. But it still isn't "great". I did setup the cross overs as above. Just curious, is there a way to completely bypass the MS-8 for testing purposes? (with out actual wire changes)

my setup is the following:
stock HU (hifi)
MS-8 (obv)
600/1
600/6

channel list:
1) SL, stock rear left (MS amp)
2) SR, Stock rear right (MS amp)
3) ctr, Vibe 4" 2-way (MS amp)
4) FLhi, DLS R4 (600/6) (bridged ch1/2)
5) FRhi, DLS R4 (600/6) (bridged ch3/4)
6) FLlo, SSMB8 (600/6) (ch 5)
7) FRlo, SSMB8 (600/6) (ch 6)
8) Sub (12" JL for now) (600/1)

Thoughts?

Food for though:

My settings:

Sub on Front low channel (shared with under seats)
HP 20hz@24db
Underseats HP 80hz@12db, Sub is LP 80hz@24db
Front Low/Hi, 300hz@24db (Planning on moving back down to 200 or 250)
Center HP 200hz@24db
Side HP 200hz@24db

Center + Sides on MS-8 power

Best calibration...-21dB No kidding. If I had <-23 or >-20 it doesn't sound as good.

I have some EQ in the 31 band on the very low freq's (20-40hz) and above 2.5k, to add some treble back to the MS-8's target curve.

Results:
A-MAZ-ING...no seriously...amazing.

My commentary was that using MS-8 power for all channels, the target volume setting is -20, I have level matched my fronts and under seats within 6dB of my rears and within 3dB of my center, which is why i even bothered trying a higher volume.

Just a different experience in my case.

[JordonMusser]

tai-
did you set all your amp-gains nominal before running calibration?

[taibanl]

No, i level matched using the ms-8 test menu

[JordonMusser]

since the under seat woofers are on the "front" channel as a low pass xover, I only hear the test tone out of the door speakers? I need to go check it..

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by JordonMusser

since the under seat woofers are on the &quot;front&quot; channel as a low pass xover, I only hear the test tone out of the door speakers? I need to go check it..

actually you are hearing both parts of te frontstage low and high. There is a way to get to a test menu tht gives you discrete outputs by channel

[taibanl]

Look on the faq thread @ diyma

[JordonMusser]

thanks man. There are several "FAQ" looking threads over there, several with hundreds of pages. Can you possibly give my a sniper rifle instead of a shotgun

[taibanl]

The link is in the table of contents thread in this section

[kaigoss69]

Originally Posted by taibanl

My commentary was that using MS-8 power for all channels, the target volume setting is -20, I have level matched my fronts and under seats within 6dB of my rears and within 3dB of my center, which is why i even bothered trying a higher volume.

Just a different experience in my case.

Yes, because it all depends on what speakers are running off of the MS-8. Logic 7 speakers are highly efficient AND 2 ohm, so the volume coming from those compared to some aftermarket 4 ohm speakers is going to be a LOT higher given the same MS-8 volume setting. That's why with L7 speakers the correct volume level is -35dB and with less efficient, higher resistance speakers you will have to turn up the juice in order to achieve the same overall sweep volume level.

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by kaigoss69

Yes, because it all depends on what speakers are running off of the MS-8. Logic 7 speakers are highly efficient AND 2 ohm, so the volume coming from those compared to some aftermarket 4 ohm speakers is going to be a LOT higher given the same MS-8 volume setting. That's why with L7 speakers the correct volume level is -35dB and with less efficient, higher resistance speakers you will have to turn up the juice in order to achieve the same overall sweep volume level.

FWIW L7 speakers are exactly 3dB more efficient off of ms-8 power (all attributable to lower impedence)

[goodoleme]

My ms-8 is setup as:

Sub -1 (channel 8)
Infrasonic 20Hz
Infrasonic Slope 24DB
Sub/Front Xover 60Hz
Sub/Front Slope 12DB

Fronts 2way (channels 1-FL-Hi / 2-FR-Hi / 3-FL-Mid / 4-FR-Mid)
Front Lo/Hi Xover 200Hz
Front Lo/Hi Slope 12DB

Center 1way (Channel -7)
Hi Pass 160Hz
Hi Pass Slope 24DB

Sides 1way (Channels 5-RL / 6-RR )
Hi Pass 200Hz
Hi Pass Slope 24DB

I have the factory speakers and 2 HD 600/4s and one HD 750/1 with the gains down and I did the tune @ -42db. Then after I put the MS-8 @ -2DB.

I still can't find the sweet spot, but I am close!

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by goodoleme

My ms-8 is setup as:

Sub -1 (channel 8)
Infrasonic 20Hz
Infrasonic Slope 24DB
Sub/Front Xover 60Hz
Sub/Front Slope 12DB

Fronts 2way (channels 1-FL-Hi / 2-FR-Hi / 3-FL-Mid / 4-FR-Mid)
Front Lo/Hi Xover 200Hz
Front Lo/Hi Slope 12DB

Center 1way (Channel -7)
Hi Pass 160Hz
Hi Pass Slope 24DB

Sides 1way (Channels 5-RL / 6-RR )
Hi Pass 200Hz
Hi Pass Slope 24DB

I have the factory speakers and 2 HD 600/4s and one HD 750/1 with the gains down and I did the tune @ -42db. Then after I put the MS-8 @ -2DB.

I still can't find the sweet spot, but I am close!

Have you tried...80hz sub/front
24dB slope all around?

There are some phase impacts of using a 12dB slope which are of particular concern when using a center. I won't begin to explain it, but Andy has over on DIYMA.

How do you like your HD's?

[JordonMusser]

Mine sounds terrible if I have the MS8 set anything lower than -22 or so when I do my calibration (JL600/4 and 600/1). Even with them set at mid gain levels. I do turn the sub amp gain down for calibration (way down).

My setup is:
MS8
600/4
600/1
All 24db slopes
front:
DLS separates
200hz

center:
4" coax, MS-8 power

stock rear speakers @ 160hz (as sides) (MS8 power)

kicker 8" woofers from 80 to 200

two JL 13" subs from 80 and down

Only problem is I sometimes hear a little "scratchyness" (dont know how else to describe it) at high volume. (seems to mainly stem from the center channel) I did level match as best as I could before calib, cept subs. I turned them way down.