Nice video. From a pro audio perspective you are giving some good info. Measurements is a great place to start. As we say in the pro audio world always use your ears. One of the biggest issues with time alignment errors is the cancellation of fundamental frequencies (the frequencies where the guts of most music and speech live). Usually around the 200-300hz range. A good way to set that is to play a 250hz tone and sweep the timing of one other speaker other than the one closest to yourself until it sounds like it’s directly in front of you. I measure the front left speaker and then start the delay of the front right speaker just past the distance of the front right. It’ll move from side to side as you sweep. Then once the front two are sounding centered I’ll use fade and balance to do the front left and rear left. The goal for this is to try and get the tone as loud as possible just by adjusting the delay of the left rear speaker. Then I fade all the way to the back left and right speakers and adjust the right rear delay until it sounds centered at my head. When that’s done I fade to center and adjust individual levels as needed.
I got a new car and started upgrading the sound system in it. Man, I wish I started watching this channel sooner, it's one of the best sources for car audio info I have found. I haven't done any of the installs myself, but I always like to know what is going on during the installs in my car. Luckily, my installer is really into what he does and he explained everything in great detail, and I gotta say, he echoes everything I've learned from this channel. Mark, thanks for the awesome videos, it's always great to learn stuff from people who are knowledgeable and have passion for whatever it is they're talking. Keep it up sir!!!
Was an installer for nearly 20 yrs. before switching to IT. That was an excellent explanation of path length differences and their effect on sound. Another area that always interested me relating to this is edge diffraction (and surface absorption) and their effects on sound quality. I judged a few IASCA shows back in the day and this was a pretty hot topic back then. Your thoughts?
Mark you’re so awesome, I’ve been watching your videos since the pandemic and I had a little bit of previous audio knowledge from my stepdad helping me install my first system in high school, but what I’ve learned from your channel has immensely grown my knowledge to the point where it’s even impressed my stepdad who is an audiophile with what I’ve learned from your channel, I know this is an old video and I hope you see this, and I just wanted to thank you.
I've been watching your vids for a while, and am definitely thankful for you. I used to be a car audio installer for Circuit City, but NEVER have I learned so much. Thanks, and keep up the great work!
Hey-Shawn here from South Africa- you really have improved a lot in terms of audio knowledge and your video quality since I first saw ur vids- Keep up the good work Mark!
+CarAudioFabrication man watching your videos makes me want to rip my car apart and redo it. But I end up forgetting some stuff or don't have funds for a DSP. Really I'd just like to come hang out at your shop for a few days and let you look at my ride and tell me what's up Maybe like a special RUclips apprenticeship thing or something
Never knew so much abt car audio until watching your tube I resently took my music out of my car all because it wasn't sounding good and I have the Orion xtr 1600 watt amp and a 12"orion dual coil 2400 watt @2ohm a clarion pre amp expensive wires bayma 6.5 mid speaker 300 watts but now I know we're I went wrong thanks bro all the way from trinidad in the Caribbean car music here is a big business so trust me we have heavy sound system but few people know to create clarity music with even bass and mids which I just learnt about from you again thanks.
From South Africa. Nice and informative video. Bought another car about 7 months ago and I'm looking at adding a DSP with the components, amp and sub from the my previous car while not replacing the HU. I've never had a DSP before nor have I ever known about time alignment, so your videos really help me understand better what I have been missing in my previous and current setup to get quality sound from my car. Thanks.
Great lesson vjd Mark! Sonnje from Botswana. J watch your videos much and I particularly liked the one that explains crossovers....massive. thanx for this highly valuable info..keep rocking CAF!!!
Absolutely love your videos and I have been watching them since I set up my first two 10" subs. Since then I have helps set up 5 different car audio systems for friends and 3 for myself! Keep up the great work!!
Awesome informative video. I think you hit every major point mark. Great job. Some more advanced stuff may be about reflections and aiming.. but I think for just talking about path length distances you did an amazing job. Clear, short, concise.
Hey Mark, great video as always man very informative. I'm from India and i'm one of the guys from last video's comments and I really wanna thank you for covering this topic in this video, seemed like you replied my comment with it and also a big thanks to this audiophile community that you are bringing together who answered and shared info. Keep up the good work.
I remember listening to a demo truck a long while ago. They were using Image Dynamics HLCD components kit. 6 1/2" with mini horns under the dash. That was the most insane sounding system I've heard with a awesome sound stage.
Great info here! I'm an old school installer from Canada. Haven't been real active lately but planning a SQ build for a truck I'm working on. Love your videos!!
You provide the most thourgh information about car audio on You Tube!! Could you please do a vid on how to you determine the time delay of speaker path lengths and how to enter them in a DSP . Thanks Mark!!
Insightful but plain and simple explanations.. I've been following your teachings since some years ago.. Hoping someday I will be ready to install my own SQ system.. I'm from Coronado CA. but I got kidnapped by my wife.. so greetings from Mexico..!
+1. .. Great car interior "acoustic's" discussion, details of which are all to often overshadowed by the constancy of marketing speak. .. The adhering to the basic's of acoustic's pays big performance dividends. .. "The Devil is in the details".. subscribed.
Love the sq videos, i was living in the dark till i got the DEH-80PRS witch has auto time alignment, now i cant live without it, the biggest diference for me is the spacial awareness i cant even compare the kick performance because the high and the low come at you the same time and was the thing my sistem was missing all along
NYC here. VERY informative video and so clear and understandable! Already grabbed my tape measure to check my path lengths for my upcoming install, but like you said, I have to also factor in the obstructions at the kick panels IF that is the shortest path length. Thanks!
I always wondered if it is more accurate to install in an A-Pillar or Door speaker. Today, you answered that for me and I learned a lot about measuring for time alignment. Thank you.
I love the sq vids. I thought you got rid of the grand Prix tho. You should do a soundman iPad kit in it! The dash panel is big enough for the iPad pro if you mount all the controls behind it.
great video as usual. I remember when I was competed in car audio and alignment of kick panel pod speakers were aimed towards the center of the two seats at the ceiling giving a equal distance between the two listeners.
Appreciate your thoughts on TA. Using the Audio Control DM608 I didn't understand the justification for the setup instructions beyond measuring the pathlengths. I simply adjust the closer speaker for the difference in distance like you did, however the audio control book tells you to input both speaker lengths and it obviously corrects for the difference. I just found that this opens the window for making a larger error when talking milliseconds.
just watched to video to get a better understanding what you our saying is that without a dsp if for example you had a 2-way speaker setup you would keep mid and tweeter as close to your ear level as possible ?
hey Mark fab work man, you go into more detail about subwoofer enclosures in terms of what sub would work best with what enclosure and also refering to the tuning thats best for that particular sub. then if u could also advise me on what sub parameters will help me understand the enclosure it is best suited for.
Great video as always from CAF. If you’re trying to time align 3 way passive speaker system, is best to take initial measurement from the Mid-range speaker? I’m using a Hertz DSP mini mk2. Obviously I can’t time align each individual driver as have passive crossovers.
Hi, isn't the second option (the middle way, that both passengers equally hear the source) the default setup? I mean for all to enjoy the sound, should just moving the fader a bit towards the front speakers enough? Thanks!
Hawaii here. Sooooo much amazing info and tips. But i feel so inexperienced to tackle my car audio goal lol. Even more so when watching how u do things and how professional ur work is lol. Shops are too expensive and im sure they cut too many corners.
CarAudioFabrication, I have some kappa perfects, but will be installing a wall with two btl 18s. I think I will need to add some mid bass as well. So can I use my kappa? And if I got an 8" mid driver will the easiest way be to just get a two channel to match those? Or get a three way crossover with a properly sized amp. And does that mean I will have to run active and have a hard time tuning, or should I get a dsp or an equivalent? Thank you very much
Thanks from Australia, great vid mate. To me it seems old cars pre 70's and 80's need them in the kicks more and newer cars are better with the A pillars. A pillars are much closer in older design cars to the seating position... but there's less crap in the way like moulded door trims and steering column plastics
thank you [ am from California working on my 1959 ford [ am single so i have been doing all of the sound learning as i go i have to amps one old equalizer and want a lot of bass { love music of all types so i thank you for your knowledge
Very informative, but this video adresses left and right alignment. Upmand down ( foor perfect center stage) will b something else. If you take that i account to the best location fir the demo car will b the a-pillar? Right. Tnx 4 the video you keep giving me tips and you're adressing stuff I didn't think about for a time. Keep on goin on!!!
The first time I’ve ever heard this and why I never went to prime alignment but I’m old school from the early 90s. I don’t know how I knew that was back then but I know some people had it. I didn’t want my car throat it’s not horrible when I have a passenger. If I was to set the controls for my personal listening pleasure it be double as bad for them. Not only would it be further way it would sound even far because of the processor alignment. Am I correct thinking that. Or am I wrong? Like that you have shown that now we have a way to select center alignment or driver seat! I love it!!
question, can you mount the Tweets in the A-pillars but direct them at the opposite person in an attempt to make up for this?? so driver side tweet directionally pointing at the passenger and vise versa..... keep it up man, love the Info
Hi from the Philippines! Thanks for your wonderful videos. Really learned a lot. I love great car audio system. But truly expensive here. Hope I can put up one great system such as yours someday...
comming at you from kimberley bc. i have a a 1992 ford f-250 xlt lariat....and im trying to find the best mounting position... HOWEVER...all the trim is metal....and the a pillars on the front are overly skinny. Any suggestions? great video by the way.
Car audio has to be the most expensive hobby I've ever had... Thanks for the videos. You have been very informative.
Agree, from design to upgrades!
Nice video. From a pro audio perspective you are giving some good info. Measurements is a great place to start. As we say in the pro audio world always use your ears. One of the biggest issues with time alignment errors is the cancellation of fundamental frequencies (the frequencies where the guts of most music and speech live). Usually around the 200-300hz range. A good way to set that is to play a 250hz tone and sweep the timing of one other speaker other than the one closest to yourself until it sounds like it’s directly in front of you. I measure the front left speaker and then start the delay of the front right speaker just past the distance of the front right. It’ll move from side to side as you sweep. Then once the front two are sounding centered I’ll use fade and balance to do the front left and rear left. The goal for this is to try and get the tone as loud as possible just by adjusting the delay of the left rear speaker. Then I fade all the way to the back left and right speakers and adjust the right rear delay until it sounds centered at my head. When that’s done I fade to center and adjust individual levels as needed.
I got a new car and started upgrading the sound system in it. Man, I wish I started watching this channel sooner, it's one of the best sources for car audio info I have found. I haven't done any of the installs myself, but I always like to know what is going on during the installs in my car. Luckily, my installer is really into what he does and he explained everything in great detail, and I gotta say, he echoes everything I've learned from this channel. Mark, thanks for the awesome videos, it's always great to learn stuff from people who are knowledgeable and have passion for whatever it is they're talking. Keep it up sir!!!
Was an installer for nearly 20 yrs. before switching to IT. That was an excellent explanation of path length differences and their effect on sound. Another area that always interested me relating to this is edge diffraction (and surface absorption) and their effects on sound quality. I judged a few IASCA shows back in the day and this was a pretty hot topic back then. Your thoughts?
Mark you’re so awesome, I’ve been watching your videos since the pandemic and I had a little bit of previous audio knowledge from my stepdad helping me install my first system in high school, but what I’ve learned from your channel has immensely grown my knowledge to the point where it’s even impressed my stepdad who is an audiophile with what I’ve learned from your channel, I know this is an old video and I hope you see this, and I just wanted to thank you.
I've been watching your vids for a while, and am definitely thankful for you. I used to be a car audio installer for Circuit City, but NEVER have I learned so much. Thanks, and keep up the great work!
Hey-Shawn here from South Africa- you really have improved a lot in terms of audio knowledge and your video quality since I first saw ur vids- Keep up the good work Mark!
Best car audio videos on RUclips hands down. Thanks for all the tips. You da real MVP! (I'm from CT btw)
I have not only enjoyed but have learnt a lot from this video, Thanks. David K. Uganda East Africa
i already told this here, but every time i watch a new video i feel that i must remember that this is the best channel of the segment in youtube.
Thank you kind sir
+CarAudioFabrication man watching your videos makes me want to rip my car apart and redo it. But I end up forgetting some stuff or don't have funds for a DSP. Really I'd just like to come hang out at your shop for a few days and let you look at my ride and tell me what's up Maybe like a special RUclips apprenticeship thing or something
Never knew so much abt car audio until watching your tube I resently took my music out of my car all because it wasn't sounding good and I have the Orion xtr 1600 watt amp and a 12"orion dual coil 2400 watt @2ohm a clarion pre amp expensive wires bayma 6.5 mid speaker 300 watts but now I know we're I went wrong thanks bro all the way from trinidad in the Caribbean car music here is a big business so trust me we have heavy sound system but few people know to create clarity music with even bass and mids which I just learnt about from you again thanks.
From South Africa. Nice and informative video. Bought another car about 7 months ago and I'm looking at adding a DSP with the components, amp and sub from the my previous car while not replacing the HU. I've never had a DSP before nor have I ever known about time alignment, so your videos really help me understand better what I have been missing in my previous and current setup to get quality sound from my car. Thanks.
Time alignment makes a big difference! Glad to help
Great lesson vjd Mark! Sonnje from Botswana. J watch your videos much and I particularly liked the one that explains crossovers....massive. thanx for this highly valuable info..keep rocking CAF!!!
Absolutely love your videos and I have been watching them since I set up my first two 10" subs. Since then I have helps set up 5 different car audio systems for friends and 3 for myself! Keep up the great work!!
Thanks man! Glad to have you here over the years
been watching for about 2 years keep it it and keep inspiring .... from trinidad and tobago!
Hello from Bulgaria!
Awesome informative video. I think you hit every major point mark. Great job. Some more advanced stuff may be about reflections and aiming.. but I think for just talking about path length distances you did an amazing job. Clear, short, concise.
Thank you, its fun to discuss! You didn't tell me where you are from!
Hey Mark, great video as always man very informative.
I'm from India and i'm one of the guys from last video's comments and I really wanna thank you for covering this topic in this video, seemed like you replied my comment with it and also a big thanks to this audiophile community that you are bringing together who answered and shared info.
Keep up the good work.
Hey Mark. Thanks for all work. I’m always learning from you. From Calgary Alberta Canada
I'm from Dominica in the Caribbean, love and appreciat yr vedios,they are great guide and tips.I do use them. thanks.
Lots of love from India (Bangalore) I appreciate & Thank you for all the detailed explanation 😊🙏
I remember listening to a demo truck a long while ago. They were using Image Dynamics HLCD components kit. 6 1/2" with mini horns under the dash. That was the most insane sounding system I've heard with a awesome sound stage.
Do you know what it was that made that system sound so good? Was there something specific that made it stand out compared to others?
Great info here! I'm an old school installer from Canada. Haven't been real active lately but planning a SQ build for a truck I'm working on. Love your videos!!
I appreciate your knowledge in showing us, though my brain has a hard time keeping up jajaja. I am determined to learn though.
Hey,I'm a long time watcher I love the info you give my question is can you talk about a center channel. Pros and cons. Good idea or not.
Thanks Randy
Arizona here.... I have a a 02 Tacoma double cab and my best option was Q Logic kick panels awesome sound. Great video keeps em coming:)
You provide the most thourgh information about car audio on You Tube!!
Could you please do a vid on how to you determine the time delay of
speaker path lengths and how to enter them in a DSP . Thanks Mark!!
EXCELLENT Channel As a novice Audio Fan your knowledge is much appreciated
Insightful but plain and simple explanations.. I've been following your teachings since some years ago.. Hoping someday I will be ready to install my own SQ system.. I'm from Coronado CA. but I got kidnapped by my wife.. so greetings from Mexico..!
+1. .. Great car interior "acoustic's" discussion, details of which are all to often overshadowed by the constancy of marketing speak. .. The adhering to the basic's of acoustic's pays big performance dividends. .. "The Devil is in the details".. subscribed.
Love the sq videos, i was living in the dark till i got the DEH-80PRS witch has auto time alignment, now i cant live without it, the biggest diference for me is the spacial awareness i cant even compare the kick performance because the high and the low come at you the same time and was the thing my sistem was missing all along
Very informative video....hailing from Trinidad and Tobago!
Another great video, you always do a great job with explaining all the info without becoming over complicated. Shouting out from Calgary AB , CANADA.
Thanks for watching, I try to keep it simple, yet get the important points across.
NYC here. VERY informative video and so clear and understandable! Already grabbed my tape measure to check my path lengths for my upcoming install, but like you said, I have to also factor in the obstructions at the kick panels IF that is the shortest path length. Thanks!
I always wondered if it is more accurate to install in an A-Pillar or Door speaker. Today, you answered that for me and I learned a lot about measuring for time alignment. Thank you.
I appreciate your help with information on installation
I love the sq vids. I thought you got rid of the grand Prix tho. You should do a soundman iPad kit in it! The dash panel is big enough for the iPad pro if you mount all the controls behind it.
***** damn it doug you're everywhere!
great video as usual. I remember when I was competed in car audio and alignment of kick panel pod speakers were aimed towards the center of the two seats at the ceiling giving a equal distance between the two listeners.
Love this info looking to learn my HKI DSP on my Harley for better tuning. Thanks
Appreciate your thoughts on TA. Using the Audio Control DM608 I didn't understand the justification for the setup instructions beyond measuring the pathlengths. I simply adjust the closer speaker for the difference in distance like you did, however the audio control book tells you to input both speaker lengths and it obviously corrects for the difference. I just found that this opens the window for making a larger error when talking milliseconds.
I slammed the hell out of that like button.
from Jamaica, videos are really detailed, love it
Hi Mark, greetings from Ireland. Great video!
Great info. Thanks from Norway.
I'm from Crestview, Florida. This is the second video I've watch and I like them. I think I'll subscribe.
Thanks for checking in!
Thank you very much, you're indeed very much knowledgeable on the subject. Great help for beginners like me.
Who cares about passengers. With 2x dsps, 12 speakers, & 4 amplifiers, the sound is ALL about me, the driver.
You are the best mark,so much correct info. Keep up the great work.
1993 Cadillac deville! My system sounds great!💪🏾!
Hi, im from Germany. Like your explanation about Path length.
just watched to video to get a better understanding what you our saying is that without a dsp if for example you had a 2-way speaker setup you would keep mid and tweeter as close to your ear level as possible ?
I'm from Melbourne, Australia. Keep up the great work Mark. I love your SQ videos. More please!!!
Great information, Mark.
hey Mark fab work man, you go into more detail about subwoofer enclosures in terms of what sub would work best with what enclosure and also refering to the tuning thats best for that particular sub. then if u could also advise me on what sub parameters will help me understand the enclosure it is best suited for.
Love your videos they have improved my skills.
Great to hear!
Great video as always from CAF. If you’re trying to time align 3 way passive speaker system, is best to take initial measurement from the Mid-range speaker? I’m using a Hertz DSP mini mk2. Obviously I can’t time align each individual driver as have passive crossovers.
Great video. Regards from ISTANBUL TURKEY.
Whoot! More good info layed out in a understandable way.
Hi, isn't the second option (the middle way, that both passengers equally hear the source) the default setup? I mean for all to enjoy the sound, should just moving the fader a bit towards the front speakers enough? Thanks!
great videos. Hello from australia
Hey Mark, your videos are amazing. Am from India, would like to see more of these videos from you. keep up the good work!
Hawaii here. Sooooo much amazing info and tips. But i feel so inexperienced to tackle my car audio goal lol. Even more so when watching how u do things and how professional ur work is lol. Shops are too expensive and im sure they cut too many corners.
Mark you're amazing!
I love your videos and watch them every time I can.
I'm from Brazil!
:)
Love all of your Videos Mark, Writing in from Pitcher,NY
Salam from Khartoum, Sudan....thank you for the exceptional tutorials
Thanks for watching!
CarAudioFabrication, I have some kappa perfects, but will be installing a wall with two btl 18s. I think I will need to add some mid bass as well. So can I use my kappa? And if I got an 8" mid driver will the easiest way be to just get a two channel to match those? Or get a three way crossover with a properly sized amp. And does that mean I will have to run active and have a hard time tuning, or should I get a dsp or an equivalent? Thank you very much
Hey Im Calvin from miami fl, Thanks I enjoyed the video will be looking at more. I did learn something new thanks again
Thanks from Australia, great vid mate.
To me it seems old cars pre 70's and 80's need them in the kicks more and newer cars are better with the A pillars.
A pillars are much closer in older design cars to the seating position... but there's less crap in the way like moulded door trims and steering column plastics
Great video. Do you have something for rear fill? I don't remember seeing much on this aspect of speaker selection/system planning. Thank you.
Thanks from Sweden
i wish you were my professor for my Master’s 🙂
Love the new intro idea super cool! so much awesome information too, like always, keep em coming Mark!
thanks for sharing you knowledge,your attention to detail is amazing.
Thanks man.... I appreciate that.... From Indonesia 😍😍
Would adding a center channel speaker help with time alignment for both driver and passenger time alignment?
thank you [ am from California working on my 1959 ford [ am single so i have been doing all of the sound learning as i go i have to amps one old equalizer and want a lot of bass { love music of all types so i thank you for your knowledge
Great video mark!! Ontario Canada 😊
Greetings from Tahiti !
Great video. Lots of good information.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Very informative, but this video adresses left and right alignment. Upmand down ( foor perfect center stage) will b something else. If you take that i account to the best location fir the demo car will b the a-pillar? Right. Tnx 4 the video you keep giving me tips and you're adressing stuff I didn't think about for a time. Keep on goin on!!!
The first time I’ve ever heard this and why I never went to prime alignment but I’m old school from the early 90s. I don’t know how I knew that was back then but I know some people had it. I didn’t want my car throat it’s not horrible when I have a passenger. If I was to set the controls for my personal listening pleasure it be double as bad for them. Not only would it be further way it would sound even far because of the processor alignment.
Am I correct thinking that. Or am I wrong? Like that you have shown that now we have a way to select center alignment or driver seat! I love it!!
Thanks Mr. Teacher, Sir
Learning a lot 🙌🏽
Keep up the good work...From ST. Lucia
question, can you mount the Tweets in the A-pillars but direct them at the opposite person in an attempt to make up for this?? so driver side tweet directionally pointing at the passenger and vise versa..... keep it up man, love the Info
from Myrtle Beach SC. loving your vids
Thanks for your technical insight.
Thanks for watching yo.
finland! hertz splshow setup in my car :)
very infomative, taking lessons Lesotho
Morgan Utah bro. Love being your subscriber
These videos are so great!
Definitely taking note of this tip for my next build....thanks bro 👍🏾
thanks man that helps out a lot old Chevy truck system sounds a little off and this is going to help tremendously
Getting a standard cab truck to stage is just about impossible. I'd like to see Mark tackle a video on that.
Hi from the Philippines! Thanks for your wonderful videos. Really learned a lot. I love great car audio system. But truly expensive here. Hope I can put up one great system such as yours someday...
Hi Marc! Hello from The Netherlands ;) keep going on man, you're great!!
love your vídeos... oh and i am from Portugal.
keep going. i am still waiting for the rest of the project rebuild
Hey. ,, watching from Iraq -- love ur vids
Great video man. I still have a old pioneer 998r I think in the garage somewhere. oh aye am from Scotland.
great video. you always have good advice and tips
Great video - in depth and informative as always!
comming at you from kimberley bc. i have a a 1992 ford f-250 xlt lariat....and im trying to find the best mounting position... HOWEVER...all the trim is metal....and the a pillars on the front are overly skinny. Any suggestions? great video by the way.
Good Information Mate❤