Need Help Tuning the Alpine MRD-M500
06-10-2008, 01:22 AM
#1
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4
Need Help Tuning the Alpine MRD-M500
Hey guys,
I'm new to this site and fairly new to car audio as well. I thought this looked like a good place to start with some questions.
I've just recently decided to do my first install in a 2000 Jetta for some extra bass. Things worked out in my favour and I ended up getting a custom box, 2 MTX 510's, and my buddy's old MRD-M500 for pretty damn cheap. (Was only going to get one 10 and a small amp to power it, but, all this for the same price, so
)
Sounds pretty silly inside my car, almost like it's gonna blow up if I really turn up the subs. The problem for me is figuring out how best to tune this amp to get the best sound quality out of it. It's way more than enough power for those subs, so what I'd like to do is really tweak it for the best possible sound.
I really only listen to house music. There's the odd old school or other cool track in there, but 99% is house (electro, progressive, minimal, tech house, that kinda thing.. not so much trance).
Using the stock 8 speaker monsoon system inside, stinger 4 guage wiring kit, 2 MTX 510's in a single slotted box, the MRD-M500, all hooked up to a Pioneer 4900.
My question is to anyone who may some experience with this amplifier (or the M300 which I believe is about the same in terms of tuning?) and can possibly give me some direction on fine tuning this bad boy to get the best SQ in my car. Like I said power is not an issue and if I get anywhere NEAR having my deck and the input level on the amp set to 0, it's ridiculous. Any pointers on what the best settings for my crossovers and EQ levels on the deck would be appreciated as well.
Thanks guys!
The First Timer
I'm new to this site and fairly new to car audio as well. I thought this looked like a good place to start with some questions.
I've just recently decided to do my first install in a 2000 Jetta for some extra bass. Things worked out in my favour and I ended up getting a custom box, 2 MTX 510's, and my buddy's old MRD-M500 for pretty damn cheap. (Was only going to get one 10 and a small amp to power it, but, all this for the same price, so
)Sounds pretty silly inside my car, almost like it's gonna blow up if I really turn up the subs. The problem for me is figuring out how best to tune this amp to get the best sound quality out of it. It's way more than enough power for those subs, so what I'd like to do is really tweak it for the best possible sound.
I really only listen to house music. There's the odd old school or other cool track in there, but 99% is house (electro, progressive, minimal, tech house, that kinda thing.. not so much trance).
Using the stock 8 speaker monsoon system inside, stinger 4 guage wiring kit, 2 MTX 510's in a single slotted box, the MRD-M500, all hooked up to a Pioneer 4900.
My question is to anyone who may some experience with this amplifier (or the M300 which I believe is about the same in terms of tuning?) and can possibly give me some direction on fine tuning this bad boy to get the best SQ in my car. Like I said power is not an issue and if I get anywhere NEAR having my deck and the input level on the amp set to 0, it's ridiculous. Any pointers on what the best settings for my crossovers and EQ levels on the deck would be appreciated as well.
Thanks guys!
The First Timer
07-09-2008, 06:39 PM
#2
0 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 8
The MRD-M500 has few nice features but it sounds like you just have the gain messed up if it's booming away.
1) Turn down the gain untill the sound from the subwoofer matches your other speakers (the sub should be a bit louder actually, the road noise will drown it out).
2) Crossover: Set it to 80 hz, like 90% of the systems out there.
3) Subsonic filter: Turn it on at 20 hz if your box is sealed, about 35 hz if it's ported (you don't mention what it is)
4) Eq: The MRD amps only have one parametric band. Without test tones or RTA you just have to play with it and see what sounds good to you (or leave it alone). Always try to cut the level down, instead of boosting it.
Most cars of your size tend to boom at around 45 hz, so I start by turning down the eq in that range, so you can try that.
Get some high quality full size headphones, listen to a particular song you enjoy, then listen to your car. Tune to make it sound like the headphones. You will never get close to the SQ of a decent set of headphones in a car, but it's a reference to what you are most likely trying to achieve.
1) Turn down the gain untill the sound from the subwoofer matches your other speakers (the sub should be a bit louder actually, the road noise will drown it out).
2) Crossover: Set it to 80 hz, like 90% of the systems out there.
3) Subsonic filter: Turn it on at 20 hz if your box is sealed, about 35 hz if it's ported (you don't mention what it is)
4) Eq: The MRD amps only have one parametric band. Without test tones or RTA you just have to play with it and see what sounds good to you (or leave it alone). Always try to cut the level down, instead of boosting it.
Most cars of your size tend to boom at around 45 hz, so I start by turning down the eq in that range, so you can try that.
Get some high quality full size headphones, listen to a particular song you enjoy, then listen to your car. Tune to make it sound like the headphones. You will never get close to the SQ of a decent set of headphones in a car, but it's a reference to what you are most likely trying to achieve.
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