Bass Blocker Slopes

NOTICE!  5-25-09 I'm back in town and am shipping again.  Thank you for your patience.  I've currently got two boxes I'm building. I'm still accepting orders but there may be a couple of days delay before I can start on another box right now.  Thanks. 

Shipping Policy:

I seek to please my customers to the best of my ability.  One of the ways I do this is by ensuring items are shipped in a timely manner.  I always ship lighter items USPS parcel post or first class unless otherwise stated in the auction.  Estimated delivery time within the US is 4-10 days.  USPS does not provde a tracking number without paying for delivery confirmation.  I usually ship heavy items like speaker boxes with Fed-Ex.  Speaker boxes over 70 pounds have to be shipped UPS and speaker boxces over 120 pounds have to be shipped freight.

If you prefer express shipping just let me know and I can give you a price quote.  If you would rather I ship the item with UPS or Fed Ex I will be glad to accomodate you.

I offer an insurance option on all my items as well for only $3.00 that will cover anything damaged in the mail.  A tracking number is also provided with the insurance so if you would like a tracking number please purchase the optional insurance.

Part of the shipping charge for my auctions is to cover handling charges.  It costs me money for envelops, boxes, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, packing tape, gas to drive to the post office, etc.  Like most eBay sellers part of my handling charge goes to cover these expenses.  If you do not agree with this please do not bid on my items.   

If there is any way I can improve on my service to my customers please let me know and thank you for looking.

The main reason I sell so many polar blockers is because they are much cheaper than non-polar.  This is how I have been able to consistantly beat all competitiors prices.  But I also sell non-polar blockers if you'd rather have those.  Check my listing to see if the auction is for polar or non-polar blockers and bid accordingly.  Please do not assume all blockers are non-polar.  This has led to some customers upset for not getting what they wanted because they never took the time to read the ad. 

FAQ (Shipping):

Why didn't I get a tracking number with my order?

The only way USPS provides tracking numbers is by purchasing delivery confirmation.  So there is no tracking number for me to send you without raising shipping prices.

How do I combine shipping on Bass Blockers?

Combined shipping should automatically be calculated when buying multiple quanitities of the same listing.  If you buy from different listings the total may or may not automatically adjust.  If it does not just let me know and I'll gladly adjust the shipping total for you.

How long does delivery take?

Most of my customers are very pleased with my shipping times because I do not let items sit around after the auction.  I ship within 1 or 2 business days after payment most of the time.  If something comes up and I can't I'll let you know.  From there the post office gives an estimated delivery time of 4 to 10 days for first class domestic shipping.  International may be longer.

Customized items like speaker boxes and adapter plates that require me to build or modify to your specs can take longer for me to ship but I usually have them out within 5 days at the most.

 FAQ (Bass Blockers):

My speakers can play down to 100hz (example) do you have any 100hz (example) bass blockers?

This is a common misconception that you should set your crossover frequency at the speaker's low end frequency response.  It comes from a misunderstanding of how Bass Blockers (or any crossovers) work.  No crossover works like a brick wall where everything over the crossover frequency plays and everything under the crossover frequency is completely silent.  Instead crossover begin drpping the volume past the crossover point at a set rate called slope.  The slope of my bass blockers is 6dB per octave.  Most people detect a drop in volume of 10dB as being half as loud.  So if you did set your crossover point at 100hz it would drop off like this:

100hz = Full volume

50hz = -6dB

25hz = -12dB

13hz = -18dB

etc.

Remember the speakers in the example reach their limit at 100hz yet 100hz is still playing at full volume so the bass blocker is actually not doing anything at all. 

I prefer to set my crossover point at least two octaves higher than the low end frequency response.  This ensures at least 12dB of attenuation once you reach the speaker's limits.  So for speakers that play down to 100hz a 400hz bass blocker would be my reccomendation.  Let's compare the roll off of a 400hz blocker for 100hz speakers:

400hz = Full volume

200hz = -6dB

100hz = -12dB

50hz = -18dB

etc.

This time when the speaker reaches it 100hz limit the blocker has provided 12dB of attenuation.  This will protect the speaker as well as offer a smooth transition in sound.

What frequency(ies) of blockers can you make?

I can make you any frequency you desire for only $1.00 more per pair.  Even oddball numbers like 246hz.  You name it and I'll make it.

Would a higher slope crossover (12 or 18dB per octave) be better?

Better is a matter of application.  There is no real "better".  Higher slopes offer more exact cutoffs while lower slopes offer smoother transitions.  People have their opinions but those are just that.  If you want very specific cutoffs and think a higher slope would be best for your application I can certainly build you a crossover of any slope or frequency you desire.  Email me for a price quote.

Does it matter which end of the blocker goes to the speaker? 

No they will work either way.  Audio signals are a form of AC current so it doesn't really matter.  Even though the blockers you get will have polarized ends it does not matter which end goes to the speaker and which end goes to the amp.

Bass Blocker Troubleshooting:

First make sure the blockers are installed correctly then look up your specific problem.

1.  The blockers got rid of the distortion but I still hear some bass.

This is an ideal situation as the blockers are a perfect match for your speakers. 

2. The speakers still sound distorted at any volume level.

Make sure the speakers are not blown.  Bass blockers won't magically make blown speakers sound good.

The crossover point may be too low for your specific speakers.  If this is a frequency I reccomended I will replace them with a hgher frequency blocker at my expense.

3. The speakers still sound distorted at high volume levels.

Make sure your amp or radio is not clipping.  Clipping is when an amp tries to put out more power than it can actually reproduce.  Keep in mind most car stereos are designed to reach full volume at about 75%.  The extra 25% is for when you are listening to a CD with a very low recording volume.  If you are feeding a distorted signal to the speakers they will play a distorted signal and bass blockers won't help with that.

Also make sure the amp is not rated for more power than the speakers or bass blockers are rated for.

4. There is a new noise since installing the blockers I did not hear before.

This is a rare case but it has been known to happen.  If the blockers are installed too close inline to the amp they can couple with the amps output caps producing noise.  Simply reinstall the blockers closer to the speaker.

5.  I have no sound since installing the blockers.

If they are installed correctly this would mean the blockers are blown.  Make sure they were not overpowered and return them to me for replacements at my expense.

6.  Any other questions?  Email me!

.