I'm installing a pair of component speakers and not sure what decibel to set my crossover to. How do I know which one is the right one for me? On the back of the crossover are three difference levels I can set it to: -3db, 0db, and +3db. What is the difference between the difference db levels on the crossover? Thanks for any info!

Btw, these are the Polk db6501 6 1/2" components, if that makes a difference.

 

It's up to you... That's a level adjustment for your tweets. Start at 0. Listen for awhile, then if you like it, keep it. If not, change it, one way or the other. Obviously, +3 will make the tweets louder and -3 will make them softer...

 

If you have an external processor, I would recommend setting them at +3 and dialing them back if need be.

 

sorry to jack the thread but i was wondering, does all component speakers have a crossover that you can adjust? my tweeters seem as if they are too loud and have a static noise when it hits high notes

 

No. All crossovers do not have the adjustability built in. Look around on your crossovers, you should be able to find it if it's there. What components?

 

MB Quart RCE 216

 

MB Quarts are notorious for having bright tweeters.

Are you running them with an amplifier? The "static" noise could just be the amplifier clipping.

 

its not like a ground loop static noise.. its when you play music loud, it seems as if its too loud for the speaker and it becomes unclear. i dont know how else to explain this..

 

Who said anything about "ground loop static noise"? A ground loop usually sounds like a whining noise that varies with the engines RPM, not a static noise.

Again, based on your description it sounds like you are hearing the amplifier clipping. Do you have any tone controls turned up or the "loud" function in the head unit turned on? And again, are you running an outboard amplifier on those speakers?

 

is the amp is clipping, would my speakers make that noise too because it doesnt seem like it does. yes the "loud" function is turned on. what is an outboard amp?

 

Yes it would make the speakers make that noise. Why else would I tell you, twice, that was the likely problem?


Try turning it off. The loud function boosts the bass and treble. It is probably the source of the clipping, as well as the cause of the tweeters sounding too loud (beyond them being naturally so).


You either have the speakers hooked up to the head unit using it's internal amplifier, or have them hooked to an outboard amplifier. Here is an example of an outboard amplifier:



So, do you have your speakers hooked up to an outboard amplifier?

 

my speakers aren't making those noise tho, just the tweeters and yes i am using an outboard amp

 

A tweeter is a type of speaker.

Again, turn off the the loud which is boosting the treble which is probably clipping the amplifier at those frequencies causing the noise you are hearing through your tweeters. Also, if you have the treble turned up on the head unit, turn it down too.

 

thanks for all ur help bro, i will try this out tmrw and get back to you