I just installed some component speakers (woofer, tweeter, and crossover) and a small amp and I have a few setup questions for you audiophiles.

The amp is an Alpine MRP-F250 and has a high pass and low pass filter with an Off setting.

There is also a crossoverpoint screw that goes from 50-400Hz.

I am not going to install a sub as I don't want to sacrifice any space or seat folding ability so what would be a good starting point with the HP/LP filter and crossover point for maximum sound clarity so that I can still hear the lowest lows and highest highs that my speakers are capable of? Is the crossover point set screw non-functional when the HP/LP filter is Off?

The speakers are Alpine SPS-571a and have a frequency response of 35 Hz - 30 kHz.

Thanks in advance.

 

You will want to set it on high pass. You might be able to set it to off if you do not push them too hard. But, the mids would have no protection from the lows at all. As for setting, when using a sub, generally, components are set in the 70-100 range. I would set it on high pass on try around 70 and see how it sounds. Your goal would be to get it as loud as you want without distorting. The lower the setting, the easier it will be to distort. A higher setting will allow you to play louder with less distortion and less bass.

 

dconder gives some good advice. Without subs you have a dilemma. As dconder pointed out, the components have no capability for playing really low bass, but without the high pass set, they will try to anyway because they will be receiving the full frequencies from the amp. With the high pass set, the speakers will sound better and perform better, but the bass will be non-existant. Subs are a "have to" for a system to have "pop" and "slam", and to reproduce the full frequency spectrum. So this set-up will sound thin and tinny with the high pass ON, and fuller, but with distortion with the high pass OFF.

 

I'll have to check it out tonight sometime. I haven't had the opportunity to try dconder's advice yet. With the filter off it sounds fine, no distortion whatsoever unless I am overdriving the speakers to where the HU won't go any higher (and well below that volume it's too loud for me to even enjoy it).

I would like to add a sub somewhere, but all of the under the seat boxes look like they would prevent the rear seat from folding flat. I have an '02 so the rear seat folds completely flat which is a difference from the newer models so it seemed on my neighbor's '04. Does anyone know of a box or mount spot that still allows you to use the all of the vehicle including the storage compartments behind the seat? It seems like a catch 22, but I wouldn't mind losing space elsewhere as long as the key features of the vehicle are not lost.

Thanks.

 

If you aren't out to cave in your chest with bass, and just want a reasonable, well balanced system, check out some 8" subs, or even 6 1/2" subs. JLAudio makes a 6" sub that needs less than .2 cubic foot of air space, and an 8" that needs less than .4 cu./ft. and has a mounting depth of less than 4". These can easily be placed under your seat and retain full function. While these will not enable you to wake the dead, they would add a depth and punch to your system that will otherwise be missing.