Has anyone who has one of the new Eclipse HU's tried the E-iServe feature on their site? Apparently, they have a database of the distances from all the speaker locations for different cars which you can load onto a memory stick and program the time alignment on your deck.

I have last year's model, the CD8053, which doesn't have a MS slot or allow me access to their on line database. So before I bust out the tape measurer and calculator, does anyone have the settings already for their E?

I have tried all the preset ones already, and the minivan setting seems the best of the bunch, but I think it can get better.

I just upgraded my CD8443 to an 8454 today and I just tried the E-Iserv. and for some reason I got a "file error" when the head unt tried to read the data. When I figure it out I will post results. The dealer did set the settings which sound great in pro mode. I need to write them down incase I have a power failure. Tomorrow I will let you know the settings that I have.

Sweet! Thanks ShaneS!

I wonder where the sub fits into all of this. Hi=Fronts; Mid=Back Seats; Low=Sub? If you had the sub in the back, that would be the farthest speaker from you, so that would be the new "0 ms" reference point, right?

Oy, I am in the process of dialing it all in: crossovers, time alignment, amp gains; can't wait to be finished!

Well, I went ahead and broke out the tape measurer.

My situation will likely be different than most, but if anyone has a subwoofer in the back, 1' away from and facing the rear wall (tailgate), these should get you in the neighborhood. I included the 1' (2' round trip) in the distance from the sub because the sound travels from the woofer and bounces off the tailgate to reach my head.

Since these numbers are all relative to the farthest sound source, the sub in the back, anyone with one back there, period, should be able to add or subtract a few tenths of a millisecond of these numbers to adjust. I take that back, I tend to slide my seat 1 click forward from the farthest back position. If you sit father forward, the fronts would need to be delayed more to compensate for the closer distance. Better to measure yourself. :roll:

Since pro mode is meant to apply to bi-amplified speakers, I have the front components, Focal 165K2P's, via their crossovers (not bi-amped) on the "Hi" output, the rear door speakers on the "Mid" output, and the sub on "Low." I measured from the tweeters for the fronts, as that is where most of the imaging comes from.

Hi (front) left: 3.6 ms
Hi right: 2.4 ms
Mid (rear) left: 4.0 ms
Mid right: 2.8 ms
Low (sub) left and right: 0 ms (reference)

I have the rears attenuated 20 dB, so I don't really hear them. I am not worried too much about the rear speakers' settings, but I measured anyway...

ShaneS, I am curious as to how these compare to what your settings are, when you get the chance.

For those who are have read this far and are wondering "what is time alignment?" First of all, what is wrong with you? You've been reading gibberish! ;) It's basically delaying sounds from your speakers so the sounds from each arrive at your ears at the same instant as the farthest speaker. This creates a much better sound stage and enjoyable experience on the road.

Nanook,

This afternoon, I'll post the settings. Right now I am currently using the stock sub and Focal 165KP's in the front which have been tuned for a little more bass because ths stock sub is horrible. So things will be way different.

Are the settings optimized for the driver only? Does the passenger get "less" correct soundstage than normal?

-brendan

[quote:fe82f27f2f="brendan"]Are the settings optimized for the driver only? Does the passenger get "less" correct soundstage than normal?[/quote:fe82f27f2f]

Yup. 8) Car stereos are difficult enough to get decent soundstage for one precise spot: my head. Besides, I doubt most of my passengers know what a soundstage is; they'll just appreciate the music, even if the guitar is coming from the cup holders. In other words, screw 'em; I'm the one driving it. ;)

[quote:fe82f27f2f="ShaneS"] Right now I am currently using the stock sub and Focal 165KP's in the front which have been tuned for a little more bass because ths stock sub is horrible.[/quote:fe82f27f2f]

In fine tuning my system, I disconnected my sub while fiddling with the Focals. They have some amazing low end (~70 Hz); I barely need any sub for most songs!

Here is what I have for the driver seat

HI-L -2db/0ms
HI-R 0db/1.7ms
MID-L -10db/0ms
MID-R -10db/0ms
LOW-L -7db/0ms
LOW-R -7db/0ms

For the easy mode it was a tossup between minivan or suv

I tried to use the E-Iserv and I keep getting a VOL UP indication when the measurement is being taken and I max it out , I also plugged the accessory mike into my laptop to see if it even worked, what the hell!

That's odd, ShaneS; I would expect the front left speaker to be delayed more than the right. That is the closer speaker, after all. Nanook confused!

Also, I neglected to answer my own question earlier. Bass is affected by phase more so than the other frequencies, I discover. So if using the stock sub location, that would be delayed along with the other closer speakers.

Oh, I also forgot to mention I have the front left attenuated 2 dB, like yourself.

I wish I could help you out with the E-iServ. I really do, 'cause that would mean I own one of the newest decks! Hope it works out for you. I called Eclipse the other day to ask a question, and got through tech support pretty quickly, FYI.

This is how the installer set it up, he set the PEQ to sound great, I would not even know where to start. It actually sounds really good at all volume levels, the louder the better, to me is a good thing. Rock music sounds crisp and clear with tight bass, pronounced mids and highs, I am actually amazed it sounds this good, the guy set Focals to do most of the work as far as bass goes, the stock sub is crossedover at 24 db oct 80 hz. I will try your settings later if we don't have the thunderstorms that are being called for. By the way, I figured the E-ieserv, I ended up resetting the unit, must have been a glitch with the vol up situation. when I loaded the file to the web site, I had a choice to emphasize low-mid, hih-low, mid or normal, I chose normal since I like an even response. It was horrible with that selection, I'll try the other choices. I think I will be better off in the ball park with the settings the installer did.



[quote:85bc0b9987=" "]That's odd, ShaneS; I would expect the front left speaker to be delayed more than the right. That is the closer speaker, after all. Nanook confused!

Also, I neglected to answer my own question earlier. Bass is affected by phase more so than the other frequencies, I discover. So if using the stock sub location, that would be delayed along with the other closer speakers.

Oh, I also forgot to mention I have the front left attenuated 2 dB, like yourself.

I wish I could help you out with the E-iServ. I really do, 'cause that would mean I own one of the newest decks! Hope it works out for you. I called Eclipse the other day to ask a question, and got through tech support pretty quickly, FYI.[/quote:85bc0b9987]