SQ Tuning?

[SnowDrifter]

Using a RF 360.3

Curious how do I go about tuning to get it sounding nice. Not SQ comp material. But surely there is a better way than listen to a song / tweak / listen again / repeat

What's the methodology?

[Colin - STAPUFT]

I know jack squat about the 360, but one would think it would have a pretty detailed how-to on system setup?

I didn't read through all the posts or watch the entire vid, but maybe this will help:

http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/146596-3603/

[SLAYER1805]

If you're going for that flat response there's always this, vid done by a local guru on here

[kingsuv]

RTA is a great starting point for tuning. Going all flat isn't going to sound too great, but it will give you a reference point of what is too bright, and what is lacking. So what I do is bring everything that is too bright down closer to what is too dull. Never boost what is missing. Once you are pretty close to flat, then listen to a large variety of music. As you listen, you will hear parts that are too bright, ( like female voice or piano ) You will see those spikes on the RTA, adjust them to better suit your taste. On the stuff that is too dull, raise it up to see if it is something you want to hear more of or not. Using the RTA helps you learn what frequencies are where. Better the rta, the better you can fine tune, but unless you are going for competitions, there is no need to get really detailed. SQ tuning is never a set it and forget it. I have spent hours tuning and tweaking as I go. I spend most of my lunch hours in the truck going through different music.

[gckless]

I agree RTAs are very valuable when first installing or changing. They can be a pretty good reference when you may not always know what frequency range you're hearing that's high. But it's a lot of listening and tweaking like others said. As far as T/A, that's something that you should be able to nail down. It gets a little tricky getting the finite settings, but you should be able to get into a ballpark range pretty easy.

Also, EQ should be the very last step in your tuning process. It is simply there to fix what could not have been done with other means, like proper aiming/placement, driver selection, environmental treatments (deadening and absorption), etc. I know there are limitations for what can be done on install, but I'm just saying many people use it as a crutch, which traditionally speaking is backwards.

[White Lightning]

But surely there is a better way than listen to a song / tweak / listen again / repeat

When you demo SQ, or REALLY good recorded music ... Nobody plays "test tones"

Call me old fashioned, but I have never ran anything but "Pink Noise" through my system for RTA.

(yes, for SPL runs just to see what the truck could actually do, but never critical listening music) ...

I prefer The Eagles greatest hits collection ...

Other than that ... The phrase I quoted you on is the absolute best method there is.

Take your time, listen and enjoy your system.

[Ryan Christensen]

Find someone with an RTA and have them tune it that way. That way it should sound good no matter what

[Krakin]

But surely there is a better way than listen to a song / tweak / listen again / repeat

When you demo SQ, or REALLY good recorded music ... Nobody plays "test tones"

Call me old fashioned, but I have never ran anything but "Pink Noise" through my system for RTA.

(yes, for SPL runs just to see what the truck could actually do, but never critical listening music) ...

I prefer The Eagles greatest hits collection ...

Other than that ... The phrase I quoted you on is the absolute best method there is.

Take your time, listen and enjoy your system.

Now how would running test tones at and around the RTA's treat points compare to pink noise? In know that in theory pink noise is 0 dB at all frequencies, but wouldn't intermodular distortion come into play if all frequencies are being played?

[White Lightning]

Now how would running test tones at and around the RTA's treat points compare to pink noise? In know that in theory pink noise is 0 dB at all frequencies, but wouldn't intermodular distortion come into play if all frequencies are being played?

Hmmm, never gave that much thought considering how many independant test tones you would have to go through to sweep and balance a 20 htz to 20K htz spectrum ... Guess it's possible.