Alpine Headunit - Volume clipping

[bterz 10+ year member]

Hey guys. I was told that you are not supposed to run the Alpines above Volume 24, meaning 24max, cuz if you go to 25+ it will cause clipping.

I had a H/U and coaxles only and could get the volume up to about 20 before it hurt my ears.

I recently installed a sub and amp to power my front speakers, and the volume isnt as loud at lower volumes.

It sounds pertty good at 24, but some songs are quieter then others, and I'd like to safely access the 25+ mark, so I was wondering how I could tone it down so it would get really loud at the 20 mark rather then the 28+ mark where it could be clipping.

My headunit is a CDE-9873

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[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Turn the volume to 20 and then set the gains on the amps according to the gain setting tutorial. The amp will then reach max power w/ a HU volume of 20.

Not all the Alpines clip at 24. Not even most. Neither of the last 2 I've had had any problems up to at least 30 out of 36. Keep in mind that I keep the bass and treble set to 0 and don't have any Loudness enabled.

 

[bterz 10+ year member]

I set the gains @ 15 today, should I reset them @ 20.

How do I figure out if my h/u clips or not. I turned it up to about 28 and it sounded crystal clear, more so then at 24.

But I was also told that you cant just "Hear" clipping, and u need a o-scope to detect it.

 

[MikeyB 5,000+ posts]

I run mine at 23,24. Well, my old one, waiting on my 9887 in the mail. I had the gains set at 23, but with material recorded lower I would click it up to 24.

 

[bterz 10+ year member]

So I want to set my gains @ Max volume = 24?

 

[MikeyB 5,000+ posts]

Just find your unclipped volume with the sub unhooked. Get all your settings on the hu in order, and turn it up to the volume it starts to clip at and sound distorted and turn it down below that level so you will safely stay away from clipping. Then set the gains at that volume.

 

[99StangGt 10+ year member]

I think the only way to find the clipping point is by using a o-scope. I think the rule of thumb is 3/4 volume and set the amp for max with a volt meter. Thats the way I have done it and it works well for me, always loud enough.

 

[MikeyB 5,000+ posts]

The only 'true' way to find when its clipping is of course looking at the sine graph on the scope. But otherwise its all by ear for me for the speakers running off the hu's internal amp.

Speaking of which I need a **** scope......bad.....

 

[themommyvan 10+ year member]

The only 'true' way to find when its clipping is of course looking at the sine graph on the scope. But otherwise its all by ear for me for the speakers running off the hu's internal amp.
Speaking of which I need a **** scope......bad.....

Hehe I know someone with one. Also the Alpine I use seems to do the same thing yours does. But I only have used it 3 times. It only gets used for bass race.

 

[MikeyB 5,000+ posts]

Hehe I know someone with one. Also the Alpine I use seems to do the same thing yours does. But I only have used it 3 times. It only gets used for bass race.

lawl, you are the source for all of my testing needs ****it!! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

Hopefully this upcoming weekend Ill have the setup close to finished and in a metering state //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[Mr. C 10+ year member]

I set my gains with the volume around 24-25 and take it over that for material recorded with lower volume. Although my 7995 does not clip at max volume in my set-up, 25 usually gets the job done.

 

[casper97ta 10+ year member]

I have mine set at around 26,27 and could probably go up to about 30 if need be.

 

[jbl_marshall21 10+ year member]

used to set mine at 23-24

 

[bterz 10+ year member]

So I should turn my BASS/TREBLE to 0 and turn my volume to 24 and reset my gains? I think that sounds like it should solve the problem.