Tuning Subwoofer amp

[SunUpNeverdown]

Where do y’all have the volume at while tuning your subwoofer(s) amp gain? Some do it full tilt and some do it 3/4 tilt. I’ve done it full tilt before of a 1500d and old school mmats amp and it hardly got loud and I’ve done it at 3/4 tilt before on other amps and was clipping of corse at full tilt but got smell a little after 3/4 tilt. Is there a rule of thumb? What volume should I tune my saz3500d on my zv5?

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[fithwheel]

Depends on where the hu starts clipping.
You don't want to amplify a clipped signal

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

75% of full volume

 

[SunUpNeverdown]

My head unit doesn’t clip. I can turn it all the way up and get a clean sine wave. What about my 4 channel amp? Do I tune that at full volume of 3/4s volume too?

 

[fithwheel]

My head unit doesn’t clip. I can turn it all the way up and get a clean sine wave. What about my 4 channel amp? Do I tune that at full volume of 3/4s volume too?

With the subwoofer level all the way up?
Same with 4 ch amp clean source signal is what you want to worry about. Pretty easy to hear clipping on mids and highs too.
Personally I use an o-scope to check the hu. Then use it to set gains to get in the ball park then fine tune by ear with music. Everyone has their own method.

 

[SunUpNeverdown]

With the subwoofer level all the way up?
Same with 4 ch amp clean source signal is what you want to worry about. Pretty easy to hear clipping on mids and highs too.
Personally I use an o-scope to check the hu. Then use it to set gains to get in the ball park then fine tune by ear with music. Everyone has their own method.

I used an o-scope. My head unit is clean all the way through. I set all the EQs on the head unit at 0. Should I tune the 4 channel amp when my head unit is at full volume then? This is my first time using a 4 channel amp.

 

[fithwheel]

I used an o-scope. My head unit is clean all the way through. I set all the EQs on the head unit at 0. Should I tune the 4 channel amp when my head unit is at full volume then? This is my first time using a 4 channel amp.

Yeah if you're confident the hu doesn't clip at full volume. Running at full volume just know if you add db on the eq etc. You can get into clipping. My hu is clean too and set up that way however I hardly ever feel the need to max it unless I'm listening to music that was recorded at like -15 db.
Distortion is easy to hear. That'll tell ya you need to back off a little.

I miss the stay cool avatar

 

[SunUpNeverdown]

I want to set my EQs on my head unit when I tune it for better sound. So I probably will be clipping at full volume. I might be able to get a good sound with all the EQs at flat. Idk. What do u think?

 

[YourNameHere 10+ year member]

when EQing dont boost, always cut and you shouldnt have to worry about clipping

 

[SunUpNeverdown]

I have a 13 band EQ. So u mean to tell me as long as I don’t bass boost I will have a clean signal all the way to full tilt no matter where I set the 13 bands? I might not be understanding correctly.

 

[02WS6]

I have a 13 band EQ. So u mean to tell me as long as I don’t bass boost I will have a clean signal all the way to full tilt no matter where I set the 13 bands? I might not be understanding correctly.

Don't go +Db on any level of the Eq - Bass, Mid or Treb. At 100% you can only negative Eq to avoid clipping. Most use 75% of full volume so that you can Eq to your liking. Leave yourself headroom to +Eq as you like.

 

[SunUpNeverdown]

But wouldn’t tuning it at 75% volume make it where u could turn ur EQs up because once above that volume u would be clipping for sure since you raised the EQ level(s)? I understand the 75% rule with the sub though and that’s what I do most of the time. But I’m new to 4 channels and crossovers. I’m probably gonna go active too.

 

[SunUpNeverdown]

Never mind. I understand now. Lol my brain wasn’t working right for a second. Long day. I went and tweaked my hu and didn’t go over 0db on the EQs.

 

[SunUpNeverdown]

Don't go +Db on any level of the Eq - Bass, Mid or Treb. At 100% you can only negative Eq to avoid clipping. Most use 75% of full volume so that you can Eq to your liking. Leave yourself headroom to +Eq as you like.

If I have my EQs already set. All under or at 0db. Then do I run the text tones to tune my 4 channel amp while the volume is all the way up so I know I’m not clipping at any volume or can I tune it at 75% volume? And if I tune it at 75% volume, don’t I stand a super strong chance of clipping at almost all volume levels over the 75% mark?

 

[YourNameHere 10+ year member]

tune at whatever volume you usually listen at....as volume increases frequency response will change, so dont chase your tail