Speaker boffin required, help needed!

[Aweful_Truth]

Got new speakers recently and they have a crossover box thing... What does it do and what's the best way to install it? I've installed speakers before in various types and ways but never had to deal with one of these so any help and advice will be much appreciated!  

[MrP]

at a basic level it splits the signal so the right bits get to the right speaker (IE the mid range goes to the larger speaker, the higher stuff goes to the tweeter)

as for where to put it, i await someone elses answer as i'd like to know!

[Aweful_Truth]

  cheers I'm wiser than i was 5mins ago!

[MrP]

glad to help

[Andy]

All depends on how big the cross overs are as some will fit behind the door cards.but i had to put them in the glove box

[Aweful_Truth]

Ideal, my front doors (3 door) only have the bigger low speaker and tweeters so is there any specific way I should wire it?

[MrP]

i dont mean to sound sarcastic here, but have you checked the manual

[Aweful_Truth]

I have lol but the guys I bought it from said unless its done properly it could sound sh*t :/ and they cost £150 so I wanna do it properly lol they said they'd do it for£94 but they could just be trying to make money off me...

[MrP]

what speakers are they?

[Aweful_Truth]

Massive SK slim 6.5"

[Aweful_Truth]

still having issues haha, main issue now is whats the difference between wiring the tweeter to +3db, 0db and -3db, i presume id want minus because i dont want it to be dealing with and lows just the highs?

[MrP]

in effect +3db makes the tweeter louder, -3db makes it quieter.

connect it on the 0 setting, listen to a few different tracks of music at various volumes, then decide if you want to higher frequencies louder or quieter, if louder, connect the cable to the +3db connector and try listening again and see what you think, if you prefer it quieter, then try the -3db connection.

there's no right or wrong, its just personal preference

[Aweful_Truth]

ah great thanks :) the guy at the shop said if i wire it wrong then itll sound crap :/ but if its just down to personal preferance then think hes just tryin to grab money off me

[MrP]

not really.

it is possible to connect the wrong speaker to the wrong connections, which would sound terrible, but obviously so.

you also get into phasing with speakers, where they actually sound better with the "+" connected to the "-" instead of "+" to "+", so he isnt trying to fleece you, he's just trying to make sure that you getting the best possible from your speakers.

throwing a set of speakers in quickly means they'll work and sound ok, spending a couple of hours taking time to mount them really well, put some sound deadening in and making sure that the phasing of the speakers and the aiming of the tweeters is done correctly will make them sound stunning.

[Aweful_Truth]

i seeeee, i shant hold it against him then! ive already began putting sound proofing on the speaker mounts, then gunna make a start on the panels this evening, making a trip up there later for more material, then ill have loads of time to play with them tonight :)

how come they can sound better when wired up + to - ? is it to do with each individual car etc?