2008 Honda Element
2008 Honda Element questions and answers
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Q: How to make my subs "hit" instead of "rumble"?
Here is what my set-up is,
(2) 2008 Kicker L7 10" sub woofers
(4) Infinity kappa 6 1/2 door speakers
(1) Rockford Fosgate Punch amplifier-1000 watts mono D class(only powering the subs)
(1) Alpine CDE-9870 head unit
All of this is inside of a 2008 Honda Element.
When I have the volume up to where the subs can show their potential, they start to rumble instead of the clean crisp "punch" I am looking for.
Any advice on how I can get my system to pound instead of rumble?
Although I wish I had the money to just "get new subs" I do not, so it would really help if I could get answers that involve ways to tune my amp(gain, hz frequency, etc...) I know the potential for an awesome system is there, I just need to know how to unleash it.
The subs are enclosed in a ported/vented box. I was going to stuff the box with this poly-fiber fill stuff I have been hearing about, but I do not know how effective that is...any ideas on that?
A: You don't say whether the subs are in a sealed or ported enclosure. For that "punchy" bass they should be in a sealed box.
The gain (level) is the most important.
The purpose of the gain is to match the signal volts RMS coming from the source (CD player, etc.) to the input of the amp for correct power matching and to prevent clipping (damage by over powering).
Here is a guide that will help you set the gain correctly http://www.box.net/shared/uchv4dbk88
You'll need a multi-meter (AC voltmeter, $15 from Radio$hack), Microsoft Excel and a way to burn an audio CD from an MP3.
If you don't have Excel, use this link http://www.box.net/shared/nkkw1dhk4g
Set the LPF to just below the highest range of the frequency response of the subs. Meaning if the frequency response of the sub is 20-200Hz, set the LPF to about 180Hz.
Set the subsonics filter to about the same as the lowest setting in the range of the frequency repsonse of the subs. Meaning about 20Hz if that's the lowest in the range (20 -200Hz as above, if applicable).
Don't set the Bass Boost above +2dB (if applicable).
Set the phase to 0 (if applicable).
Q: what more can i do to my sound system to make it sound better?
About two months ago I bought a very nice sound system for my car
I got:
2 10" Kicker Solo Baric L7 subs
1 Rockford Fosgate Punch P.1000 D mono Amp
4 Infinity Kappa 62.9i 6.5 door speakers
I have the subs in a vented/ported enclosure in the back of my 2008 Honda Element,
The deck I am using is an Alpine CDE 9870
Any ideas on anything I can do to make it sound better?
A: Sell your L7s and get T1's, other than that though.... ;-)
If your Kappa speakers are just being run off the stereo, you can upgrade to the Infinity 1600a amp, or the Fosgate 400.4 amp. Either will do a good job pushing your speakers, and will help balance out the sound a bit. (Kappas have a fairly low sensitivity, so they require a little more power to produce the same volume as a typical aftermarket speaker.
You can also think about trading out the front coaxial speakers for a set of component kappas. They tend to have a little better bass response, and if you mount them on your A pillar they can raise your sound stage, which generally helps bring the treble and midrange out a little bit more, without having to turn down the bass :)
Other than those two things, you can always concrete your car, or spend a couple grand on dynamate to keep the sound in :-/
Q: My rear defrost is not working. I have a 1992 Honda Accord. I had my back window tinted?
in April 2008. Last week I used the rear defrost for the first time. It did not work. I went back to the tint place today. They told me they don't accept responsibility for the heater elements on the window because there is a chance that the rear defrost won't work after the window is retinted. Is this true and how do I fix it? Do I have to replace the entire back window?
the mechanic I took it too checked the voltage on both side and I got power. However I dont' think they know how to fix it. Also the tint guy won't give me my money back except a discount next time. Getting into a fight with him won't help so I may have to replace the window. He said that there is always a risk with taking off the old tint and putting on new tint.
A: You said the window was RE-Tintied? If they had to remove the old tint then there is a chance that the defrost lines were damaged, it seems to be a relativly common risk when removing tint.
If tint wasn't removed then i have no idea.
Edit: You should be able to use a defroster after you have your windows tinted.. if you can't or are told you shouldn't due to wrecking the tint, you got it done at a shoty place that does crap work! There are millions of cars with tint that use their rear defrost and nothing bad happens to the tint. The tint should have been cut so that it doesn't actually cross over the defroster lines.
And i agree, make sure it gets voltage first, it could just be a fuse.
Q: Ducati Monster or Harley Fatboy?
Simply put, I am now on a Honda 400cc. I have the gist of riding down and have been through MSF and quite a few rides with both the sport bike and cruiser communities. I have it down to a few bikes but am for the life of me torn between two.
Ducati Monster S-4 and a Harley Fatboy.
First my riding "needs":
-It will be a "daily" commuting bike that has to go through dense traffic for about 30-45 min one way (about 35mi but eternity where I live)
-I will be riding passengers.
-I live in a corrosion prone area (Island in the middle of the Pacific)
-I am well and capable of "turning a wrench" but would dislike the need to do so on regular basis. Besides my schedule would not allow it.
-Comfort is important to me but not a priority.
That said my "wants":
-600cc+
-Teh Sexay- I want to turn heads. Wether it's with chrome OR something that looks like it would go faster than the speed of light.
-Low end power on tap with fast midrange acceleration capabilities (high end not as important as I am on a small island) I need to go from light to light while being able to maneuver in traffic with ease. At the same time I don't need the bike getting away from me on the slighest tap of the throttle.
-Comfort I do not like the feel of R1's and others due to this (the suzuki is the only sportbike I can feel even close to comfortable on).
-Again, I need it to be passenger friendly.
That said the Harley is a 2008 model and costs upwards of $20k to get on the road here, and I have to wait a few monts till I can get it on the road due to paperwork.
The Ducati is a 2001 that has been kept in immaculate condition and will run me $8k and I can have it on the road tomorrow.
I really don't like the fact that the Harley will be subject and fall victim to the elements here, but am somewhat cautious as to the reliability of a Ducati from what I have been reading.
I have rode the ducati, I have never rode a Harley, but have sat on numerous ones and they feel comfortable.
I understand that brand wise they are completely different bikes.
I would hardly call a Ducati Monster S4 900cc or a 1500+cc 750+ lb Cruiser begginer bikes, but each to his own.
Both fit my needs, and my desires. If I could, I would own both. However liscensing here limits me to one, so I must choose. I was just hoping folks could put out their pros and cons for each.
The Ducati is in immaculate condition, I would be pressed to find a new one that is in better shape it has numerous aftermarket parts as well.
A: I don't know where these people with the harley will over heat bull crap are coming from. I live in phoenix arizona ride year round, have been riding HD's out here for 25 year's and have yet to have one overheat.
As far as being near salt water keep you paint & chrome protected with wax & chrome polish there should be no problem.
As far as the bike's go do you want a low maintenance,very reliable & unbelievably cool bike. Or do you want a high maintenance,can't work on it yourself, hard to find someone to work on it, hard to get part's,kind of bike.
I don't know about you i'm into riding not wrenching.
Q: Honda Element Hitch and Wiring?
I'm looking into installing a hitch and wiring on my 2008 Honda Element AWD but i'm not sure which one to buy or which wiring to buy. It looks like UHAUL has decent prices but for them to install it is a rip off (about $200 labor) so i will do it myself. This appears to be the correct hitch but doesn't state if it comes with wires http://store.uhaul.com/hitch_detail.aspx?id=3692
and i'm not sure which wires to buy if it doesn't come with it. These are the different kinds
http://store.uhaul.com/product.aspx?id=158&sid=160
I'm towing a single jet ski with the regular size hitch ball and i believe a 4 pin flat. thanks
A: Check the threads on the Racks, Hitches & Towing forum at http://www.elementownersclub.com ...an active and friendly site for Element owners.