? about setting gains

[ricktcole 10+ year member]

I installed my DLS Ra40 today when I set my gain I was able to turn them all the way without distortion. The front channel are running 75 rms to Boston SR60 comp. that are rated for 85 rms and the rear is bridged at 220 rms running to a Boston G3 10 SVC 4ohm rated at 350 rms. Now I was wondering if I have any thing to worry about as far as damaging the amp or the speakers in the future?

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[Varinabassing 10+ year member]

I wouldnt keep it all the way up it will cuz the amp to warm up faster

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

How far are you able to turn the radio up with the gains maxed like that...what HU are you using? You should never HAVE to have your gains turned all the way up, since that's normally setting the amp at around .2V, which any HU can output with ease.

 

[ricktcole 10+ year member]

Kenwood KDc-X493 I can turn ip all the way . and I backed the front gain dow to about 90% but the rear 95% so I can hear over th e front comps.

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

Kenwood KDc-X493 I can turn ip all the way . and I backed the front gain dow to about 90% but the rear 95% so I can hear over th e front comps.

That's not good. Your HU has 4V rca output, and you're definitely reaching that if you're turning it up all the way. The issue here is that with your amp gain turned all the way up, you're setting the sensitivity of the amp so that it'll produce it's rated power with very little voltage from the HU...yet you're still turning the radio all the way up(and I'm pretty sure your HU is clipping at that level, there are very few HU's that don't clip). It should be the opposite, gains up, HU turned down. I have an Eclipse 8V deck and my gains are turned all the way down. And it seems like with that amp you wouldn't have any issues powering the stuff you have, so there really shouldn't be a need to overdrive the amp in the first place.

Just so we're clear on this, you have the gains turned almost all the way in the clockwise direction, towards the .2V setting?