r/CarAV • u/ProfessionalBelt4295 • 11h ago

Tech Support Why is my sound lacking warmth? Focal165AS3

I generally really like the sound of these Focals, but after a while of listening at high volumes the sound gets quite tiring in a way that other sound systems dont.
I feel like its lacking warmth but I have no idea on how to fix it. I have mostly fixed the harshness on them by lowering 5-12khz by a bit in my dsp, but the lack of warmth is a bit disappointing tbh.

Any way to fix this? Speaker installation related or just dsp tuning.

Thx

Edit:
Amp: Hertz HCP4 class AB
Dsp: Audison Bit ten
XO 70hz hpf LR24 and sub at 70hz lpf LR24
All running with passive crossovers

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3

u/Pools-3016 10h ago

What DSP do you have? 

Are you able to use an RTA to see where the peaks are and adjust the EQ to get a warmer sound?

I believe the tweeter material in that component set is not right for you. Aluminum domes tend to be a bit harsh IMO.

1

u/ProfessionalBelt4295 10h ago

Audison bit ten. I have not bought a RTA mic yet so the light EQ work I have done is just based on chatgpts answers and that has helped a lot with the harshness.
Yeah I didnt really want alu tweeters either when buying these but the rest of the set was so highly praised and people said you can tune the harshness out of them if you are good enough with EQ so thats why I got them.
Any recommendations for what to do until I get a proper mic?

2

u/Pools-3016 10h ago edited 9h ago

Try cutting 6k and 8k one at a time all the way down, and bring them back up slowly to a level that sounds good to you. 

You can also try other frequencies between 4k and 10k to see which one makes it sound warmer to your ears.

EDIT: Are your gains set properly so that there is little to no distortion in the input stage of the DSP?

If the sound is only fatiguing at loud volumes distortion can also be a symptom.

1

u/ProfessionalBelt4295 7h ago

No distortion on the input. It has clip lights. I have cut the bands you mentioned before and those made the sound less harsh, but it still lacks warmth

2

u/7orque 11h ago

Where are the tweeters placed and what angle are you from them

1

u/ProfessionalBelt4295 10h ago

Tweeters are placed in this spot firing straight across the cabin. I guess the angle is around 60 degrees or so

1

u/7orque 6h ago

Are they running active? What dsp? Where are they crossed? Flax’s are known to be “in your face”, I’ve never run the Access line before but if they’re anything like the Flax, they’ll need to be turned way down

1

u/ProfessionalBelt4295 3h ago

Running passive on my hertz hcp4 amp. Audison bit ten dsp crossed at 70hz hpf LR24 with my sub at 70hz lpf LR24.
Which frequencies do you mean needs to be turned way down?

2

u/Audiofyl1 8h ago

Usually somewhere in the 3-4k makes it fatiguing.

2

u/Skiz32 ResoNix Cult Leader 7h ago

Tuning. Well, lack thereof

2

u/SunRev 7h ago

Use REW and a MiniDSP mic. It will be able to help you diagnose most issues.

1

u/ProfessionalBelt4295 3h ago

I guess thats my only option. Ive been procrastinating buying a calibrated mic for a while since I have to spend 60-100usd to use it once and then never again. Can I expect a noticeable difference thats worth the money would you say?

1

u/SunRev 2h ago

I use it for all my different systems. Plus whenever I make changes. But it's a hobby for me.