Why does time alignment seem to mess up my sound?

I just set up time alignment in my car audio using a tape measure to measure distances. After enabling it, I feel like the sound got worse. It seems more synchronized, but one side gets more attention depending on the track, especially the passenger side. I tried using level trim to fix it, but it still sounds weird and unnatural. How do you guys adjust the timing to make it sound good?

I sit in the driver’s seat and adjust by ear. I’m the one listening to it, so I make it sound good for me!

Start with the measurements, but then tweak it while listening to actual music. Small adjustments in milliseconds can shift the sound from the sides to the center of the dash. Start with the sub (no delay), then move to the dash, doors, and rears if possible. Mine sounds great for the driver’s seat, but I use separate profiles for when others are in the car. If different music sounds off, try tracks without extreme left-to-right fades to find a good balance.

@Voss
I have a hatchback, and the sub is almost the same distance as the passenger door speaker.

I’m still working on mine, waiting for sound-deadening materials to arrive. I used a reference point on the hood to create a balanced sound so moving my head doesn’t ruin it. It’s not perfect, but it’s 90% better for both front seats. Once I finish sound-deadening, I’ll fine-tune it more. Try using a point on the hood as a reference and see if it helps.

Are you setting the time alignment in your DSP or the head unit?

Haru said:
Are you setting the time alignment in your DSP or the head unit?

In the DSP.

Does your head unit have settings for driver, front, or all speakers? My Kenwood sounds better when I set it to driver focus instead of front stage.

Lior said:
Does your head unit have settings for driver, front, or all speakers? My Kenwood sounds better when I set it to driver focus instead of front stage.

I have a sedan with a Kenwood, and I only set up the front speakers. I keep the fader on the front, and it sounds great with front focus.

Lior said:
Does your head unit have settings for driver, front, or all speakers? My Kenwood sounds better when I set it to driver focus instead of front stage.

I always adjust by ear. In a car, reflections can mess things up, so I use independent left and right EQ to get the staging right.

Hadley said:
I always adjust by ear. In a car, reflections can mess things up, so I use independent left and right EQ to get the staging right.

Every time I adjust by ear, it sounds good at first, but the next day it’s off again!

For Android head units with time delay, measure the farthest speaker and use it as the reference point (set to 0). Subtract the distances of the other speakers from that reference.

Jo said:
Here’s my process with Kenwood:

  1. Set listening position to front focus.
  2. Measure distances for time alignment, using the center console as the reference point.
  3. Tune the amp for the subs using an oscilloscope.
  4. Adjust EQ settings (I usually leave it flat and let the system handle most of it).
  5. Test and tweak further.

Make sure your focal point matches your measurements. If your system defaults to the center of the cabin and you measure from your head, it’ll sound bad.",

I hadn’t considered that! My head unit’s default focal point is in the center of the cockpit.

What’s your current speaker setup? Are you using a head unit or DSP for time alignment, and how are you measuring distances? Also, check if flipping the phase on each speaker improves the sound. Sometimes internal speaker wiring can be swapped, causing phase issues.

@Zahari
I’m using JL C3 650 components and a JL VXI 700/5 amp. Tweeters are in the sail panels, and 6.5” speakers are in the doors. Measured everything with a tape to my sitting position.

Skyler said:
@Zahari
I’m using JL C3 650 components and a JL VXI 700/5 amp. Tweeters are in the sail panels, and 6.5” speakers are in the doors. Measured everything with a tape to my sitting position.

How are the components wired to the amp? Are they using 4 or 2 channels?

@Zahari
4 channels plus sub. The signal goes from the stock head unit to a Fix 86, then to the VXI.

Skyler said:
@Zahari
4 channels plus sub. The signal goes from the stock head unit to a Fix 86, then to the VXI.

So you’re not using the passive crossovers?

Zahari said:

Skyler said:
@Zahari
4 channels plus sub. The signal goes from the stock head unit to a Fix 86, then to the VXI.

So you’re not using the passive crossovers?

Nope, I’m active.