High Low Converter

[Simonwoo]

Hi guys pls correct me if I'm wrong. The high low converter is used to convert the amplified signals from the stock HU into un-amplified (line?) signals and into RCA cable connector, so that I can just directly output line signals from the HU and let my amp do the amplification right?

 

Recently did an install on my stock Civic HU, and installler put in a high low converter. I've also installed an active sub, and now I'm wondering how they connected my sub.. Reason I'm asking is because previously without the installs, my stock speakers seem to be playing the mid bass quite nicely, but now it seems like only my sub is playing the lower frequencies - and I don't get nice mid bass anymore..

 

Thanks!

Edited January 20, 2007 by Simonwoo

[Kwh1]

this means the sub needs adjustment. Sub normally set to play only the lowest frequencies, and there is an adjustment knob. look for it, and turn it until it starts playing mid bass. but you won't like it, as mid bass is directional, and your ears will point towards the sub.

[Simonwoo]

Yep, my clarion sub has a remote control and I am able to adjust the crossover/phase/gain. The sub is under my seat, and the mid bass is nowhere as clear as it was coming from the front 6" speakers. I'm just curious, would the front speakers stop producing the mid bass once I've put in the high-low converter and an active sub? It should still continue to output whatever range it used to, right? I would much prefer to keep the sub to output the lowest frequencies (50Hz) and let the front speakers continue as per previously...

Edited January 21, 2007 by Simonwoo

[Kwh1]

Yes, the front speakers will continue playing the original range of frequencies.

 

Restricting the sub to below 50hz is the right thing to do, since those frequencies are non-directional.

 

The low frequencies in your door speakers will only be cut off if you adjust the crossover (some Alpine and other head units have a control for cutting off the low frequencies to the door speakers).

[Simonwoo]

This is what's puzzling me. In theory, if I totally turn off the gain on my sub, I should be hearing what I used to hear from my stock right? But I swear that's not the case now. I am not getting the clear mid bass which I used to get before I installed the amp, high low converter and active sub.

 

Could I have missed out on something in the way things are being connected? .

[Kwh1]

3 possibilities:

 

(1) the sub is actually filling out the mid/low frequencies now, causing you to feel a loss then the sub is turned off.

 

(2) the bass on the HU is turned down to compensate for the sub's bass output.

 

(3) Some installers might use a filter to cut off the low frequencies to the door speakers.

[Simonwoo]

Thanks bro...

 

1) Pretty sure there is a difference compared to before I installed the add-ons. Stock can definitely hear clearer mid-bass then now with the sub turned off...

 

2) Confirmed HU is still using the same equaliser settings

 

3) Hmm I'll call them and check, but unlikely that they will install something extra (filter) without charging me!

[Screw]

Bro, after observing the drawing of yr clarion sub, u actually do not need to add a hi/low converter as it got connector for direct hi ouput from yr hu..and this feature should be avail for most of the active woofer. Remove it if u r not comfortable with it...Maybe it yr installer added the hi/low to earn more?

[Simonwoo]

Yeah bro you are right, but I think the high low converter was installed mainly for the amp that I put in between the stock HU and my stock front speakers. So I suspect from there the installer just tapped on to the low output and split the RCA cables?

 

It still shouldn't really affect the mid bass from the front speakers though, right?

[Ae86]

Originally are your 6" speakers connected to your hu via speaker line output or are they connected to amp and does your hu have rca output(1 or 2) pairs? I guess if you only have a pair of rca output from hu most probably your installer used split the rca output with y connectors and plug into the sub amp and the speaker amp resulting in voltage drop from the rca and this will lead to weaker signals to amp and sq also will deteoriate.

[Simonwoo]

I think you are right. Original should be HU direct to speakers via speaker line output. My stock integrated HU only has speaker output loh.

 

Now with the high low convert, I think the installer did use the y connector to split the RCA output. Actually how much does that really affect the signal strength and SQ? Would it be so much that I can clearly hear the difference?

 

So at the end of the day, my HU only got one set of speaker output - what's the best way to connect both my amp and active sub (which does have speaker input in addition to line input)?

[Kwongwing]

Hi!

Do NOT ask questions like what's the "BEST" way to connect ... The most likely answer you would get would be to junk the stock HU and do up the entire system.

 

With the system and equipment you already have in place, the most practical way is in fact to get a processor like the Rockford 3Sixty.1 Processor (http://www.rockfordfosgate.com) which has a built-in hi-lo converter - and build your system from there onwards.

 

Depending on the amp you bought - there are also some with built-in hi-lo converter, and come with aux outputs which can be used to drive your active sub.

 

It is most likely your installer installed an ordinary hi-lo converter and split the RCA signals from there further to the separate amp and your active sub.

 

If you are familiar with connections and want to experiment, there are actually 2 different method to connect your current system without the need to add anything else except for some cabling change:

 

1. speaker out from HU -> hi-lo converter -> split to 2 pairs of RCA -> 1st pair to amp, 2nd pair to active sub

 

2. speaker out from HU -> split to 2 pairs of speaker outs -> 1st pair to hi-lo converter then to amp, 2nd pair to active sub's speaker level input

 

**You are most likely already connected via (1), and may wish to consider trying out (2).

 

From your description of the "issues" you are facing, it appears that you are basing your perception of the change in sound baed on your original HU settings from the stock set-up. You would have to change your settings to suit your current set-up. Your new speakers would also have to be run-in for a while for them to "open up".

 

Your gain settings on your amp may also not be properly set.

 

My opinion is that tuning of any set-up is very important, and one can in fact experience quite a big difference with basic tuning involving just setting the correct gain settings.

 

Come join us at tonite's meet-up for more discussion and ideas

[Knighthunter]

I believe Civic's OEM HU doesn't comes with RCA out. I don't know why your installer using Hi-Lo converter for the Clarion active sub that can take direct Hi Input. Here the deal why you lost bassy sound on you stock speaker, I belive your installer may put the Hi-Lo in parallel with your front speaker output from HU. This will increase the impedance of the OEM HU corresspond to power drop, therefore not enough power go to front speaker to reproduce low frequency range.

[Simonwoo]

1. speaker out from HU -> hi-lo converter -> split to 2 pairs of RCA -> 1st pair to amp, 2nd pair to active sub

 

2. speaker out from HU -> split to 2 pairs of speaker outs -> 1st pair to hi-lo converter then to amp, 2nd pair to active sub's speaker level input

 

Bro nevermind you suan me, cos you did answer precisely what I was asking :p I believe the installer used option 1, and I was wondering if option 2 would make a difference.

 

Anyway sounds like it's the recommended choice.. So split the speaker out rather than the line out, and connect the sub to speaker out rather than line out right?

 

Question though : why is splitting the speaker out necessarily better than splitting the line out?

[Kwongwing]

Noise levels - the speaker level out is a relatively strong signal (when compared to the signal levels going through the RCA lines) thus it is less prone to other interference (e.g. EMI - electromagnetic interference, RFI - radio frequency interference) being induced in the signal chain.

 

Once the speaker level signal goes through the hi-lo converter, there is already a degradation of the signal, if you have a long RCA after the converter to the amp / active sub's RCA inputs there is a greater chance of noise being induced in the line.

 

Apart from all of what I have said - there is only so much a commercial active sub is capable of. Usually one would only opt for an active sub due to space constraints.

 

You going to the meetup later?

[Knighthunter]

Sorry I thought you only nstall active subs in your car, please disregards my comments above.

 

Hi-Lo converter quality is quite important, if not it will create lots of frequency chop offs.

[Simonwoo]

Aiyah where's the meetup? I didn't read anything about it leh...

 

I guess bottomline, I gotta go get another installer and play around with the connections. Don't mind spending some moolah to improve things a bit, in fact I really think I should put in my CDT CL61...

 

Maybe next meeting if any experienced bros free, can help me look at my connections? :P

[Simonwoo]

1. speaker out from HU -> hi-lo converter -> split to 2 pairs of RCA -> 1st pair to amp, 2nd pair to active sub

 

2. speaker out from HU -> split to 2 pairs of speaker outs -> 1st pair to hi-lo converter then to amp, 2nd pair to active sub's speaker level input

 

**You are most likely already connected via (1), and may wish to consider trying out (2).

 

Hi bros,

 

Can you recommend an installer to help me switch from 1 to 2, and also to put in my CDT CL61 instead?

 

Thanks!