Time Correction & Fader Settings for 350z

[DarmoZ]

For those that have an aftermarket head unit with digital time correction functionality here are the settings for zed to achieve proper sound stage.

This will improve your sound quality no end and will also remove harsh noise, making your music pleasant and enjoyable. Note: Everything written here is for a Right Hand Drive Zed.

 

 

1) Calculations:

Step 1: Distances from your head to the various speakers:

 

FL = 46" FR = 30"

Driver

RL = 38" RR = 18"

 

Step 2: Then calculate the difference in distance of each speaker from the farthest speaker, which is FL.

This will give the numbers we input into the head unit.

 

FL = 0" FR = 16"

Driver

RL = 8" RR = 28"

 

2) Input into your head unit:

On Alpine head units:

-Go into Setting/Audio/Time Correction Parameter and Set it to Inches.

-Then go into Setting/Audio/Time Correction and input the numbers from above for each speaker.

The alpine head unit will then automatically calculate and apply the correct time delay (in milliseconds) to each speaker.

 

Other head unit's:

-Here are the actual numbers in milliseconds:

 

FL = 0ms (no delay) FR = 1.2ms delay

Driver

RL = 0.6ms delay RR = 2.1ms delay

 

 

N.B. You may feel like your sub-woofer lags behind the rest of the system, this is because it is in the rear and sound waves have a longer travel time. If your front speakers beat isn't in sync with your subwoofers thump then you need to add additional time delay equally to all speakers (The front four, not the sub-woofer it's self) start with 1ms then go from there. And finally change sub-woofer phase back and forth and pick the one that sounds best (complete sounding, usually the one that gives more bass.)

 

3) Adjust Fader

This final step is very important for front sound stage, even more so for a 350z because of its rear speaker locations and facing direction.

Even if you don't have time correction settings, all head unit's come with a Fader.

 

-Turn the rear speakers on full with the fade control. Listen to the rear speakers, and then slowly turn the fade up in the front speakers just until you can't tell the rear speakers are playing anymore, then ease off a tad. You're probably close to optimum setting when the front staging is such that the rear speakers provide little more than ambiance and space to the sound. You shouldn't be able to clearly localize audio as coming from the rear.

 

For me on my alpine head unit this is set forward on level 4 (out of 15).

 

 

The End.

You should now have a proper front sound stage as if the band is playing on your dash in front of you.

Hope this information helps, let me know your results.

 

 

 

N.B

If you haven't achieved the above then try the following.

- Play with the spatial features if your head unit has one (Front Wide) use the option that sounds best.

- Although measuring is a great starting point, sometimes you need to tweak by ear for the best results, to do this:

• Play a song you a very familiar with (ideally rock genre)
  
• Set Fader and balance to front left then add time delay to front left speaker until this speakers beats are in sync with sub-woofers thump.
  
• Set fader and balance to front middle, add time delay to your front right speaker until you have the desired front sound stage (right should logically have more delay then the left). Closing your eyes as you increase the time delay helps. Centred vocals with instruments spaced out left to right is what you want, as if you are at a concert and the lead singer, kick and snare drum are directly in front of you with the rest of the instruments (guitars, cymbals, hi-hat) spread across the stage in their relative positions.
  
• Set Fader and balance back to centre (default position) then add time delay to the rear speakers until front sound stage from previous step is restored (rear speakers will end up having the most delay, especially rear right).
  

Edited June 20, 2016 by DarmoZ

[Has]

I'll have a go next time I'm in the car, thanks!

[Stutopia]

You forgot, take photos of every goddam equalizer, fade, balance, phase, sub level and cross over setting before you even think about disconnecting the battery 6 months later!