Simple SPL tips and testing how-to - Tech Stuff Tuesday

[@erictheboringone5292]

I have a 2004 Nissan Frontier King Cab 4x4. I have a basic and very low priced “beginners” audio set up in the truck. I’m definitely not a beginner when it comes to car audio though. I’ve been an avid bass head since 1994 and have had varying levels of equipment. Currently I have one 300w rms 12” sub in a custom ported enclosure that I built. My hits the lowest and gets loudest when the visits are both up, passenger window is down about a quarter of the way, drivers window is down 3/4 the way, back sliding window is cracked about 3 inches and the passenger seat is slide fully forward but the back of the seat has to be leaned all the way back. It’s crazy listening to in get louder as I adjust each thing lol

[@wesw9586]

Love the longer video! Thanks for not catering to the short-attention-span trend on YT.

[@EMFAudio]

Actually, KZbin isn't catering to short attention spans. If it's under 10 minutes they won't even show it to people and they seem to be pushing videos longer than 30 minutes. I just make the content and it's as long as it is in the end.

[@trecedaves3159]

I couldn't find anyone in my area with a meter(small town). Hoping next year I can give the orion concept 97 a run for its money with 2 crunch 50hc's and a psi level 3 18. Just have to find a more SPL vehicle rather then my Tahoe. Loved the video as always. Learned a bit too. Never competed back in the day so the tips and tricks are appreciated.

[@djshoemaker5738]

Love the videos always learning something new. You should do a video on how to properly measure voice coils and the motor gap for rebuilding older subs with very little info on them. It would help lots. Thanks for what you do

[@Thumper68]

dj shoemaker good idea

[@morganbills2749]

Thanks so much for this video, it really helped me understand all the little ways you can gain. Just bought a lowballer 15, and hope to do spl with it too!

[@chrisyerp174]

One of the best amps ever made in my mind

[@EMFAudio]

It's one of the most disappointing amps ever made. I'm less disappointed by cheap garbage because the level of expectation was much lower.

[@reggiejohnson9039]

@@EMFAudio so what would have been your amp of chose and\or the best amps ever made in your opinion.

[@schmidt76ful]

Is that peak the cars peak frequency or enclosure

[@droppinghertz9922]

Bro that CRX IS FREAKING SWEET I WOULD KILL 4 that car...love the spl testing and different port swaps super cool✌

[@EMFAudio]

I've owned it for over 20 years!

[@96bansheepilot]

Excellent video and we all appreciate the time you take to educate us. Question, ... If you wire the sub at 1 ohm, and the box rise makes double, would the same sub at 2 ohms rise just one ohm or would it double to 4 ohms? In other words, is the rise essentially doubling in that particular case depending on the subs impedance?

[@EMFAudio]

In the case of using the same sub as a dual 2 or dual 4, yes it would double in each case. Rise is a multiple, not a number. Different subs will have different rise though, so you can only compare the same sub in different impedances for that case.

[@akuma4u]

Question: at which frequencies should spl testing be done. For example, if you achieve 145db at 46hz on music...is that considered good or is that pretty easy to accomplish as its a high frequency and instead a 145 at 38hz would be more impressive? Like is there a standard range of frequencies spl testing should be done at? I.e 32 to 40hz

[@EMFAudio]

SPL is a measurement of loudness, nothing more. It's not a gauge of how good something sounds or how "impressive" it is. Some vehicles peak higher, some vehicles peak lower, neither is better than the other. Generally speaking a smaller vehicle peaks higher, a larger vehicle peaks lower, which some people equate to higher frequencies are easier to achieve a higher SPL. Matching the peak of the enclosure to the peak of the vehicle and utilizing acoustics to your advantage is how you get the highest SPL number.

[@charliefrancis6438]

Your run had similar results to mine , but you have much less cone area, I tagged you to my run with an Orion XTR 2250 👍🏻

[@EMFAudio]

I've gotta put some time into a box for 15's to really do it well. The Lowballer 12 was only 0.2 dB quieter.

[@trentpfingsten857]

If you would, I could use some advice, is a 4x6” port big enough for two 12s on 1400watts in a 4ft cubed box

[@EMFAudio]

Tuned for music, a "normal" sub that would be the bottom side of acceptable. High xmax subs that wouldn't be enough.

[@trentpfingsten857]

Ok thanks👍🏼

[@deanskeez9472]

Thanks for the tips this might help get that 150 under 2000watts I'm sitting at 149.8

[@ruffypoo]

Thanks for the video!!! Explain stiffness to me. Extra spiders stiffen it but what does it actually do? What materials are the spiders made from?

[@EMFAudio]

I've covered that in Tuesday videos before, may touch on it Friday.

[@ruffypoo]

@@EMFAudio can you tell me what episode?

[@ianprice2441]

Lots learned thank you sir.

[@OG_Premed]

Great video! Is there anyway you can reply To me the circumference of the 18” Ermagerd V2- or the overall diameter needed for total mounting. Finally got me some nice cardboard(box/sub mock-up) to see if it’ll work in my 15- Charger! Thanks 🙏

[@EMFAudio]

Outside diameter is ~18.5"

[@OG_Premed]

EMF Audio it DEFINITELY won’t fit without modifications😭😭😭😢 the trunk is slanted and have a max of 19.4” from trunk floor to rear deck!! Guess I’ll try the 15” ERMAGERD V2 measurements then. I’m trying to get to a 160-170 dB Setup! So I’m guessing 15.5” outer ring! 🤔

[@EMFAudio]

@@OG_Premed 160+ requires way way way more than a single sub for a musical application

[@ryanramroop8527]

Is it possible to get 150db with just 1000watts rms with a 12" in a hatchback with proper insulation and electrical?

[@donavandeysel6778]

Yes with a 4th order box

[@jasonshawaga3413]

This is sweet. Time to crack a beer and enjoy!

[@RawbasicInc]

Great video

[@mrmeiii]

Does this testing equipment you're using hook up to something other than the windshield mic ?

[@EMFAudio]

If you're referring to what you see on the computer screen, all of that is tied together as one item. They're all purchased together to work together.

[@mrmeiii]

EMF Audio I'm asking how does this program get the volts and amps and other measurements if all I know is that a mic is on windshield , get what I mean now ??

[@EMFAudio]

@@mrmeiii There is a clamp and probe that you connect to the amp that is connected to the meter. It all goes through one box.

[@johnathanhunter7899]

Quick question Sean, if you got 6 dual 2 subwoofer's and wired them each to 4 ohms and had all 6 of them wired to 1 amplifier what ohm load would that put your amplifier in? Thanks for your time!

[@EMFAudio]

0.66. Ohms law is a great formula to learn. You can easily figure out all kinds of thing in car audio with a simple calculator or even just your noggin.

[@johnathanhunter7899]

@@EMFAudio thank you!

[@perisville]

Good Video buddy.

[@10krms8]

Cool car looks clean how many miles r on it stick or automatic

[@EMFAudio]

I'd have to check the odometer, I haven't been driving it for a while. It's a manual, automatics were only available in 1 trim level and even then it was rare.

[@salvatorehayes2753]

Interesting. I Really Need A Termlab Because Using A Multimeter And An Amp Clamp Takes So Much More Time To Collect Data. I Made A New Enclosure For A CoWorker For Some Sony 12s. On Paper The 3.5Cuft Box Is Tuned To 32Hz. When I Play A Test Tone And Sweep It The Sub Appears To Move The Least At 32Hz... However Clamping The Amp From 25Hz - 55Hz I Found The Impedance To Peak At 45Hz At 5.36Ohms. But To My Ears The Loudest Frequency Is 38Hz. From My Findings Does That Mean This Sub And Enclosure Is Suited For A Cabin That Peaks At 45Hz? And That My Cabin Tuning In This Vehicle With That Enclosure And Position Is 38Hz? My Other 3.9CuFt Box Also Has A Stupid High Impedance Rise Of 5.8 Ohms. I Was Really Disappointed To See How Little Watts I'm Getting Out Of My Amp Because Of The High Impedance Rise But At The Same Time After Watching This Video Again I'm Realizing It's Making More SPL With Less Power Because Of The Efficiency.

[@EMFAudio]

On paper could vary from a slight difference in actual build, like not factoring in port or sub displacement which would change the volume. Impedance can change from box placement in the car but odds are you may actually be tuned to 45 hz. You can't go off your ears for SPL, lower frequencies sound louder. Actual pressure feel is what you're after which can sometimes be deceiving as well.

[@salvatorehayes2753]

@@EMFAudio All The More Reasons To Get A Term Lab. It Probably Sounded "Louder" At 38Hz Also Because The Impedance Was Half That Then At 45Hz So Sub Was Seeing More Power And Moving Alot More. I Bet If I Matched That Same Power At 45Hz It Would Have Been Louder. I'll Probably Graph Another Impedance Curve With The Doors Closed And See How Much It Changes. Start Messing With Port Length And See What Happens. I Really Wanted The Box To Be Tuned Around 32-35Hz But Real World Testing Has Said Other Wise. Probably Poor Accuracy On The TS Specs From Sony hahah

[@HashDogg06]

You gained 1 db from the visor being folded down? how does that work, i'm trying to understand how that small thing can make that much of a difference.

[@EMFAudio]

In some cases visor down helps with a dash score, but in the case of the sensor at the top of the windshield, having the visor down effectively adds a reflective surface next to it, somewhat of an enclosure around it. There is no place to build pressure otherwise in that location, it's flowing from the headliner down the windshield.

[@HashDogg06]

@@EMFAudio Okay yep I understand now, thanks for taking the time to explain that for me, I was puzzled.

[@joebelton2146]

Why is the impedance so high? Is the box that much of a issue for that sub??? It doesn’t seem that it is that much out of proportion for the first box and port that the impedance would be that high. I’m blown away at that kind of impedance rise. This is definitely a first for me seeing that kind of rise.

[@EMFAudio]

Efficient boxes have high impedance rise multipliers, as do higher motor force subs. It isn't just about a port area ratio or a volume.

[@joebelton2146]

I understand. I’ve just never seen that high of impedance rise before. Thank you for the video. I learned a lot today. And thank you for taking the time to respond. This was a great video.

[@Simpleman1078]

@@EMFAudio so running say a 30 hz toonbox in a cabin that likes 60 some tuning like the CRX isn't going to cause a high impedance like that that's what I thought...

[@EMFAudio]

@@Simpleman1078 Impedance change is electrical, it doesn't care what car it's in.

[@treezy206]

Omg that orion is probably one of the one of the best amps ever made . If anyone says otherwise they dont know

[@EMFAudio]

You should probably watch this kzbin.info/www/bejne/b52uZ4iHabFlfqc

[@pgmurray76]

Easiest way to more SPL? Buy a Honda CRX like this one! (Or mine) Sorry, I saw the title and the CRX in the thumbnail. I am going to watch and listen right now.

[@EMFAudio]

They aren't as easy to get loud as most think.

[@pgmurray76]

@@EMFAudio Yeah true. Mid 150's is easy, but higher than that you have to be really, really dedicated. It pressurizes nicely, but then you just run out of room, money, and ideas. Unless you are Michael Hughes! Not exactly the stiffest paneled car either. Stock alternator may as well be a squirrel on a wheel. Nothing against Denso! It is nice, but 60Amp?

[@EMFAudio]

@@pgmurray76 Those cars have power nothing, including engine. The demand isn't there to need bigger.

[@pgmurray76]

@@EMFAudio Truth. The load detector inside the underhood power distribution and fuse panel is proof!

[@lowhertzhighspl]

Could you do us a favor and do a video on comparing your dB meter with the phone app called "Decibel X" to see how accurate it is compared to your actual SPL meter. I bet A LOT of viewers are curious! Compare at increments of around 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, etc if you can please. A YT vid showed the app is extremely accurate but that was at 100 dB and inside a recording studio so there wasn't much if any bass.

[@EMFAudio]

That is a great idea, and I will absolutely do that to show how stupidly inaccurate every SPL phone app is. I wouldn't expose my phone to over 140 dB so as not to damage it, but it won't take that much to show the problem with it's inaccuracies. Ideally I'd need a few different phones to really drive the point home but I'll see what I can come up with.

[@lowhertzhighspl]

@@EMFAudio You are the only one I suggested this to that has responded so far. You fricken ROCK! Sorry I comment at least once on almost every video of yours, however, I do believe comments help with YTs rating for promoting vids.

[@lowhertzhighspl]

@@EMFAudio Obvious reason I ask is because I'm entry level and don't want to spend in excess of $100 on a meter, especially when Decibel X phone app says my $1,000 bass package system is only metering a 120!

[@EMFAudio]

@@lowhertzhighspl engagement as they call it does help videos, so thanks!

[@EMFAudio]

@@lowhertzhighspl For your purpose you simply won't get accuracy at that price or anywhere near it.

[@audio_phil]

Very good Video!

[@justfasial01]

This was a great video

[@stevejr4185]

Do you have an instagram account?

[@COMPASBASSCHICALI]

What do you think about the new rules for stock street 1k?

[@EMFAudio]

I haven't looked at them, I don't pay attention to competition anymore.

[@davidkilner207]

Wonder why you didn't turn the box at all. Could've found more gains

[@EMFAudio]

Not with that box in this car. I believe I did mention box position though, which would be turning and rotating.

[@davidkilner207]

I didn't remember it being said. All cars being different, I assumed you did it like that cause it had been your best position for previous setups.

[@EMFAudio]

@@davidkilner207 Yes, there is a ton of testing knowledge, over the 20 years I've had the car.

[@aundraymitchell8578]

Lowballer motor on yolo frame /soft parts / suspension?

[@EMFAudio]

That wouldn't be possible. The YOLO is a 3" coil, Lowballer is a 2.5" coil. Both use the same frame.

[@aundraymitchell8578]

Hey, thanks for your replies. Don’t want you to think that I’m ever trying to be a smart. A.. here. I’m only trying to learn more. Recently purchased a 1995 camaro and only want build it right the first time. Due to your videos, and and tech stuff, the lowballer seems the way to go. Just not sure of 12s or 15s. Is the lowballer ok to us Infinite baffle?

[@EMFAudio]

@@aundraymitchell8578 I would not recommend it, subs designed specifically for that are what should be used. I'm not sure how you would do something infinite baffle in that car though. There isn't a place for that.

[@aundraymitchell8578]

EMF Audio 👍No rear seat needed. Planned to vent through the floor under rear seat area. The car was purchased strictly for a system build. Have other daily use vehicle. Maybe (2) 10s ported.

[@EMFAudio]

@@aundraymitchell8578 It sounds like you're basically building a box anyway.

[@jamesshehan3291]

But does that setup get low?

[@EMFAudio]

No, nothing in that car will. I also don't listen to anything that "gets low" and SPL is about numbers not frequency response.

[@TylerTheBassCreator]

No, its not made to....

[@Ronco160]

It’s hard to remember but I think my first subwoofer was a legacy subwoofer. The power acoustic sub looks decent. I’d run any brand sub. As long as I have bass that’s all I care about.

[@rolandsullivan3481]

I love these videos I've learned a lot thans

[@a1duzit]

Went old school on us this morning

[@Rollsjr]

crx love

[@leonrotedits]

imagine a guy builds a tapped horn, with the crx so the back window is wood and makes a big horn :D

[@EMFAudio]

The horn wouldn't be the proper dimensions for usable bandwidth in that car.

[@daneo7678]

Dang man your a thesaurus for car audio with responses like this lol good stuff love watching your videos

[@SoXDYTB]

man , that doesn't make any sense , yolo 15 have a stiffer spider , smaller excursion on low power and high frequency and it have a high impedance rise , i don't quite undertand it how , i was thinking about high excursion that will have most impedance rise...

[@Mr.Robert1]

At least you won't have any ships crashing into your lighthouse

[@salvatorehayes2753]

How Ironic That This Video Comes Out When I'm Playing With Ports In My System. I Don't Got A Meter 😭 But Got A Tone Generator And My Eyes haha. I Ended Up Installing A 42" Long 6" Port . Its Tuned At 18Hz. It's Freaky Playing That Low lol. I Got 6 Ports: 44Hz, 35Hz, 30Hz, 28Hz, 23Hz And 18Hz . (Mid Power Watching Sub Movement While Sweeping A Tone Generator)

[@EMFAudio]

Your eyes can't see how loud it is. Your eyes might deceive you as well. At tuning the sub will move less but make more sound.

[@salvatorehayes2753]

@@EMFAudio Oh Yea I Know. But That's All I Got haha. It's Difficult To Tell What's Louder Or Not. All I Know Is My Doors Resonant Frequency Is 18Hz And My Sunroof I'd 28Hz lmao. That's When They Shake The Most. I Predict Ripped Thriple Joints / Surrounds In My Future haha.

[@EMFAudio]

@@salvatorehayes2753 That would be a mechanical failure indicating the box is too big or the build quality is poor (if the box is appropriate)

[@salvatorehayes2753]

@@EMFAudio Yup. Box Is Not Real Efficient With The 18Hz Port. It's Kind Of Small. 3.9 Cuft For 2 12" Subs. I Can Play The Subs Full Tilt Mechanically With Just Engine Idling (14.0 Votls) And Amp Doesn't Even Clip (DD M5). With The 30Hz Port I Can Only Push Them 70% Mechanically But I Have To Be Reved Up And Amp Clips Pretty Early On. Which Doesn't Make Sense Now Because Impeadance Rise Wouldn't Be Dropping My Voltage Down Into The 12s?? Lol Time To Think About My Results hahah

[@EMFAudio]

@@salvatorehayes2753 Those amps don't make jack for power after impedance rise. At tuning your impedance will be highest, and yes voltage can absolutely drop hard from impedance change. When it's dropping into 12's your actually making power.

[@stormyyoung6344]

The hidden Orion super power button.

[@EMFAudio]

I'll test what that button actually does one day, it made it quieter.

[@bmwforlife1051]

Love the video :) but why that sub is i belive by looks way stronger, and even if a man use it for spl he should put at least twice power to get burp maximum from sub... i got sundown team, and now i am searching for spl and sorta music combo box so 2 in 1 to be, i have no chance in puttin less power in sub to do spl... at least 7 8k rms, sub can handle music all day, i have heard in persone, twice power no issue, it will peak but that is maximum how to say safe zone, to go a little bit above speakers rated power, i have unfortunatly, i schould buyed 8k i made mistake and now dont have money but will add another, i buyed 6k crescendo and on half ohm couse, sub is dual 1, when i put on 1 ohm sub to amp, at 13.5-14 ohm, sub is litellary singing not basin, becouse of lack of power, movin just a not inch, a cm... on half ohm it bump better, but still a just bit more is mowing... now im searching for box, and to sell amp and get 8k or to add another 6k, donz want to destroy bass, so that will decide later, but i think u should give at least rated speaker power, dont know about emf, i saw videos and seems great subs, but if it cant handle ratted power 24/7, mine can, only issue is i will need to recarge battery for another 24/7 🤭

[@EMFAudio]

You won't find a sub that will handle 8k all day. Don't confuse amp ratings with actual output. Putting double rated amp on a sub just might produce double what it's rated for and cook it. It might also be making half of the subs rating even though it's rated for double.

[@bmwforlife1051]

@@EMFAudio appriciate the answer, yes you are right, even amp can be dont know 1k and sub 1k rms rated, there is resistance wich is not constant during playin songs, but i can agree with you all u said is true, but i have metter for spl, watts impedance exetra, i dont know how is that called on emglish, "thing" is showin on half ohm, i wanna see will sub take 5k, amp actually produced that 5k, coil wasnt hot ^_^, i got couple friends, one with ground zero sub 18 spl version dont know full name of sub... dc 9k amp is on that sub, sob dont want to die, allso rated at 5k rms,-20k peak burp power... that sub... so its imposoble amp wich cost 2k, that cant produce at maximum volume on knob and "player" and with correct voltage at least 6-7k, i know dyno for amp is different and in real world with sub is allso different, allso how sub will work with how much power allso depends is sub in correct box for it... but at least as i told u my por 18 😅 is on 6k amp wich os ratted at 13.8v 6k on 1 ohm, sub is wired to half ohm, and amp support to go down to half ohm, and sub is singing litelary" and i in my head im like what u singing sub, and he is sayin to me, what u dude expect to do a hairtrick with this amp" 😅🤣 but honastly is that... i will put a better alternator and add 1 battery at back, becouse i have good 1 now and all 1 more battery but my volts even go below 11 and half in engines idle working, at 2k rpm allmost below 13 sometimes... so when i change, in my coutry sallaries are small a bit so cant do that fast,.. but parts are expensive... but will put a video to show you, and if a friend have some time, will post a video with that dc 9k amp on that single 15 i belive it is, but that sub is for spl factory made... its not some great singer...😁 even it doesnt need to sing

[@Mr.Robert1]

I heard a horn I was sleeping and all of a sudden I heard BWAAAAA📯📯📯📯📯📯🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@buddykiller]

disco kween!

[@Mr.Robert1]

Hello Port company? Yeah how you doing I'm looking for the big-ass port, yeah that's what I told it was called the big ass port. I'd like to order six of them please thank you.🤪🤪🤪

[@robsorgdrager8477]

This week on tech stuff Tuesday... I'ma feed ma hungry baby birds from the beak of mother knowledge 😆😉. That hcca is rated at 200 at 4...... 😂🤣😂😂😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣🤣🤣, Yeah well just go with that🤫

[@EMFAudio]

The funny thing is it'll make 800 watts @ 4 ohms, but good luck having it make 500 watts @ 2 ohms which is where it's supposed to make 800 watts.

[@robsorgdrager8477]

@@EMFAudio I feel they did that on purpose 🤔

[@EMFAudio]

@@robsorgdrager8477 They didn't, it was just a poor design.

[@PURESOUND4]

Check the interior heat sinks and make sure they're red like the top cover. If they're black, then you've actually got a 2250.

[@EMFAudio]

@@PURESOUND4 Do you mean the same heatsink (there is only one) but make sure it's the same color? It's all anodized, not like it was painted.

[@COMPASBASSCHICALI]

I thought you do because you teach competition stuff.

[@EMFAudio]

I competed from 1998-2015.

[@COMPASBASSCHICALI]

@@EMFAudio That means you are a dinosaur for this bro

[@sMASHsound]

4 cubes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@deeg4n000]

good thing they didnt ban crx like in real comps.

[@EMFAudio]

The only places I've seen them banned were podunk organizations with crybabies that can't make anything loud. The irony being Panda's are so much louder and those aren't banned because they can't find a way to word it so it doesn't eliminate their own cars.

[@deeg4n000]

@@EMFAudio I agree 100% your vids are spot on and im with that. Run what you bring is my philosophy

[@A-bomb-1984]

Holy ads Batman.

[@oSTYNCLSYo]

Cool, but no fun on music.

[@blackbass4u2c]

Gorilla tape the wire down in the tube🤔

[@lowhertzhighspl]

By now this video should have 10X the amount of views it currently has! (12,245) I'd like to know how I, a savvy viewer, can HELP increase your exposure/views (e.g. promoting, sharing, etc) besides commenting and thumbs ups as I have been.

[@EMFAudio]

Sharing it and all videos in various places like Facebook, Instagram, and in comments of other KZbin videos.

[@dannyquezada6986]

buy a CRX

[@ballinblaza]

1st