A Good Response Curve
This is actually a good Frequency curve. There are some small out-of-line variations (Blue
circles) but they are small and you won't hear them. There is one big variation (green circle)
which is the single low point, but a) Your ear is not very sensitive to drop-outs so you likely
won't notice it at all, and b) Trying to equalize it will only waste power and will likely distort
the frequencies on either side of it. While it is best not to try to equalize a null point, you will
want to check your crossovers. If you have a null point directly at the crossover between 2 drivers
you may have a crossover spaced too far apart. But if the crossovers are OK then leave as is.
A Bad Response Curve
At the bottom line the sound you want from you car will be subject to your tastes. Everyone will
like the “Best Response Curve” and everyone will like the “Good Response Curve”. They may not
be exactly what some want, but they will sound good and they will be comfortable to listen
to. The reason is that there are no peaks in the response. The ear is very sensitive to frequency
peaks and they irritate the listeners ears. This irritation causes “listener fatigue” and after a
while the listener will want to turn the system down... or even off.
#1 and #2 Tuning issue
So, the number one goal in tuning is always to eliminate frequency peaks, and number 2 is always
cut, don’t boost. Boosting frequencies requires more amplifier power, increases the likelihood of
distortion and causes increased noise. If you have diligently read this manual you now have a
starting point to get the exact sound you want from your sound system in your vehicle. Tuning a
sound system is a definitely a growth project. The more you tune and the more you listen, the
better you will get. If you want to grow in your tuning ability the best thing you can do is go to
car audio contests and listen to every car you can with music you are familiar with so you can
compare those cars to your car. And make notes about what you liked as a reference for the
next time you listen to your own system. For a few dollars you can enter the contests to get your
car on the show floor. The guys at these shows are car audio fanatics and they want to spread the
word. They will be more that glad to hop into your car and listen. And tell you what you can do to
improve your system. This the very best source you will find to learn how you can improve tour tune.
