Should I Tune for Frequency Response?

SSTJ

SSTJ

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My sound bar speakers have a frequency response of 70Hz–22,000Hz.

So does this mean I should use my high-pass filter to filter out anything below 70Hz? Or does it mean that the speaker is already doing that on its own?

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Solution: Here's what I've gathered from this thread. Yes, in theory I should tune out anything below 70Hz, but my entry-level coaxial speakers have a built-in crossover that filters the frequencies correctly. Not only does the crossover split the frequencies between the tweeter (high) and woofer cone (low), but it also filters out frequencies below 70Hz, which would be too low for the woofer.
 
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SSTJ said:
My sound bar speakers have a frequency response of 70Hz–22,000Hz.

So does this mean I should use my high-pass filter to filter out anything below 70Hz? Or does it mean that the speaker is already doing that on its own?
Click to expand...

What are you trying to do?

Those speakers you mention cannot play anything outside that range properly. If you are using a factory setup or a typical aftermarket radio (without dedicated external amplifiers for different channels and such), there may not be a need to do anything. That 70-22,000 Hz is a broad range and excludes the lower frequencies that are typically played by a woofer or sub-woofer.

Typically, in more elaborate speaker setups that kind of filtering is done to feed specific frequency ranges (bass, midrange, highrange) into specific speakers tuned for those ranges to achieve more clarity and to make sure that the right power levels are delivered to achieve optimum separation and clarity.

@skrelnik is our resident audio expert and can explain in far more detail if you need it.
 
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I have had the best luck using a HPF at 100 or 125 hz with a rather steep slope. I then set the sub up at 80 hz on the LPF.

Those simple settings alone will make a huge improvement on the system.
 
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SSTJ said:
My sound bar speakers have a frequency response of 70Hz–22,000Hz.

So does this mean I should use my high-pass filter to filter out anything below 70Hz? Or does it mean that the speaker is already doing that on its own?
Click to expand...

More or less. Yes, using a HPF will reduce distortion at high volume. Adjust by ear.

The speaker will play outside of the stated range, just not very effectively. That's why you want the filter.
 
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SSTJ said:
My sound bar speakers have a frequency response of 70Hz–22,000Hz.

So does this mean I should use my high-pass filter to filter out anything below 70Hz? Or does it mean that the speaker is already doing that on its own?
Click to expand...
Which speakers are you using in the Soundbar? I thought you mentioned the Polk 6.5" coaxials? If yes, there is a built-in filter that filters the audio signal, and it is plug and play. The component version have an external crossover that is generally of better quality than the built-in crossovers/filters.

Now, if you used your components without a crossover (aka an active system), like what @Chris previously had (me too), then you would need to manually process the signal to ensure the correct signals are reaching the correct speakers. This would be done through a head unit, or with a digital sound processor.
 
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Lou said:
I have had the best luck using a HPF at 100 or 125 hz with a rather steep slope. I then set the sub up at 80 hz on the LPF.

Those simple settings alone will make a huge improvement on the system.
Click to expand...

You are talking about a subwoofer which is way different than a coaxial set of speakers.

I do agree with what you said, and depending on the size of the sub, and brand, it could go further outside those parameters. What sub do you currently have?

srimes said:
More or less. Yes, using a HPF will reduce distortion at high volume. Adjust by ear.

The speaker will play outside of the stated range, just not very effectively. That's why you want the filter.
Click to expand...

Coaxials already have the built-in crossover so they do not need filtering, the manufacturer put the crossover in there as it will work best with the speaker. Now if the speaker is of lower quality, it will distort at higher volume levels regardless of the filtering.
 
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skrelnik said:
You are talking about a subwoofer which is way different than a coaxial set of speakers.

I do agree with what you said, and depending on the size of the sub, and brand, it could go further outside those parameters. What sub do you currently have?



Coaxials already have the built-in crossover so they do not need filtering, the manufacturer put the crossover in there as it will work best with the speaker. Now if the speaker is of lower quality, it will distort at higher volume levels regardless of the filtering.
Click to expand...

I am assuming he also has a sub. Without a sub a 125 hz hpf will sound pretty dull but should avoid distortion.
 
Lou said:
I am assuming he also has a sub. Without a sub a 125 hz hpf will sound pretty dull but should avoid distortion.
Click to expand...

OP specified the overhead soundbar speakers that are stated between 70Hz and 22KHz and inquired about if he needs to filter these speakers. Answer is no since there is a built-in crossover. I am assuming these are coaxials but need OP to confirm, but I don't know many people using components in their TJ's overhead pods.
 
SSTJ said:
My sound bar speakers have a frequency response of 70Hz–22,000Hz.

So does this mean I should use my high-pass filter to filter out anything below 70Hz?
Click to expand...
Below 70hz it'll go out of spec. You don't have to filter it out but if you don't it won't sound good at higher volumes. The frequencies out of that range will be distorted more than what they rate it. If it sounds bad that's an issue, if not there's no issue.
 
pagrey said:
Below 70hz it'll go out of spec. You don't have to filter it out but if you don't it won't sound good at higher volumes. The frequencies out of that range will be distorted more than what they rate it. If it sounds bad that's an issue, if not there's no issue.
Click to expand...

Coaxial speakers are already filtered, and one should not use a head unit or amp to pre-filter the signal before it is then filtered again by the built-in tiny crossover that is attached to the coaxial speaker. If anything the manual will tell you what slopes and filters to use, if necessary, but these entry level speakers are fine as-is.

Higher end equipment is another story.
 
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skrelnik said:
OP specified the overhead soundbar speakers that are stated between 70Hz and 22KHz and inquired about if he needs to filter these speakers. Answer is no since there is a built-in crossover. I am assuming these are coaxials but need OP to confirm, but I don't know many people using components in their TJ's overhead pods.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Yes, coaxial 5.25s. Rockford Fosgate Punch Series.

Sounds like they have a built in crossover and there is no point using the HPF in my four-channel amp, so I will just set the amp to “All” instead?
 
Lou said:
I have had the best luck using a HPF at 100 or 125 hz with a rather steep slope. I then set the sub up at 80 hz on the LPF.

Those simple settings alone will make a huge improvement on the system.
Click to expand...


Well, you anticipated my next question about tuning for my sub, but I’ll post that one elsewhere sometime.
 
SSTJ said:
Thanks. Yes, coaxial 5.25s. Rockford Fosgate Punch Series.

Sounds like they have a built in crossover and there is no point using the HPF in my four-channel amp, so I will just set the amp to “All” instead?
Click to expand...

Thought you had those, and yes, they have a built in crossover with 12dB slope (second image). See the ICC crossover.

https://rockfordfosgate.com/products/details/p1650/

Screenshot_20220531-225824.jpg


Screenshot_20220531-225816.jpg
 
SSTJ said:
Well, you anticipated my next question about tuning for my sub, but I’ll post that one elsewhere sometime.
Click to expand...

Make sure to post the model of sub you have. The manual usually tells you how a great base, starting point, then you can tweak according to your overall system, and personal needs.
 
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SSTJ said:
Thanks again.

Yea, I thought that just meant that it split the frequencies between the tweeter and the woofer cone, but I wasn’t sure if it also filtered out frequencies below 70 Hz, too deep for the woofer cone.
Click to expand...

Test it yourself and see. Find a track with deep base, turn it up and watch the cone. I bet you'll see it trying to produce the low freqs.
 
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