Sound Quality Issues

**tigergibb** · 08-10-2007, 11:00 PM

Hello. I worked on my CarPC and got it functioning, but then stopped working on it for a few months. Now.. I'm back to fix all the corners I cut before.

My stock headunit sounding okay. The CarPC audio sounds bad. I'm using factory speakers.

Before:
Stock Headunit -> Factory Speakers

After:
CarPC -> Alpine 4/2/1 Amp -> Factory Speakers

Problem:
Sound Quality went down
There is also less bass. The factory headunit EQ went from -5 to +5 for bass. I always had it on +5. When I turn up the bass with WinAmp on my CarPC, the sound gets VERY distorted. This didn't happen on the factory headunit.

Now, say I have $50 to fix this... what should I do?

1. Buy a head unit and run it the CarPC through the Aux In

2. Download some kind of software for EQ

3. Buy a USB sound card rather than using Onboard Audio

4. Cheap component speakers(I don't like coaxial.. my stock speakers are component).

5. Something else?

I also have a Bazooka 8" Powered Sub that I will be putting in some time, but not presently. I got it for free, so I'm not complaining.

Thank you in advance

**ironfinger** · 08-11-2007, 01:48 AM

several things can be happening
1. The amp is too much for your stock speakers.
2. You're not crossing the HPFilters on your amp correctly to filter out lower frequencies from your speakers,
3. Your internal soundcard sucks

I would spend that 50 bucks on a usb soundcard, then eventually plan for a speaker upgrade in the future.

**kostyanj** · 08-11-2007, 03:30 AM

I would definitely blame the onboard sound card. You need to upgrade. For $50 however, you're not going to get much done. Maybe you can find something used on ebay. Or maybe, you can sell the bazooka and combine the $50 you already have with whatever you get for that tube-o-garbage and get a decent sound card.

You also never said what kind of amp you have.

**durwood** · 08-11-2007, 11:09 AM

soundcard.

**tigergibb** · 08-11-2007, 11:24 AM

The amp is an Alpine 3527V 280 Watt amp. It was in the laundry room, not be used, so I put it to good use. I'll definately start looking for a USB soundcard or DAC.

**tigergibb** · 08-11-2007, 12:55 PM

I see several people have said to go with a new soundcard. I have been researching on the forums, searching and looking at internal/external and DACs. My install is too tight in the glovebox to fit a PCI card, so it has to be an external usb sound card. What are you guys using, and how much did it improve sound? How much did it cost and where did you get it?