Gain Controls - Help

[Mark_ab]

My HU (SonyCDX620) has 4vrms, how should I have the gain set on my amp so my subs are recieving the best signal w/ no clipping etc?

[billetz23]

mark ab-- turn your amp gain all the way down
then turn your headunit (sony) about 3/4 of maximum
then gradually turn the amp gain up until
the sub starts to distort then gradually turn gain
a little back till sub stops distorting
depending on what amp you are using (manufacture)
it may start to distort with little amp gain
or more amp gain

[Unregistered]

leave the gains at zero

[Mark_ab]

Okay, I will try that. Now what if my subs don't distort? (I have two perfects)

[billetz23]

mark ab-- set your hu 3/4 of maximum then as you
gradually turn up the amp gain your
sub volume will start to rise keep adjusting gain
till your sub starts to sound bad ( broken up distorted)
then turn gain a little back. setting your headunit
and your amp this way you will have your amp and
headunit set for full power befor (clipping, distortion)
occur . give it a try

[Mark_ab]

What should I have the HU Bass and Sub control at? Thanks for the help.

[mrray13]

have the bass set at whatever you think it sounds best thru your remaining speakers without distortion.

the sub control, i've heard two different things.
1: turn it all the way up and adjust your gains. that way you can turn it down if you want and may not have to use too much gain.
2: is just the opposite. turn it all but off and adjust your gain. again it's so you can adjust the bass level without having to re-adjust the gain. the bad thing here is you will need to crank the gain up a little more which could result in more distortion.the advantage is that you always have a little more at your fingertips,whereas the first method you still have more but you got to go to the amp to adjust.


hope that helps.

[Mark_ab]

Excellent, thanks for the help.