Alpine subwoofer control (0-15) on HU question

[Nevalite 10+ year member]

Hey,

On my CDA-9883 I have an option in the controls called subwoofer, I can adjust it from 0 to +15. When it's at 0 the voltage from my RCAs seems to be really low.

What I was wondering is if the subwoofer control changes the pre-out voltage (2v). When the subwoofer control is at +15 is that because its at 2v and everything before 15 is under 2v?

Or does it act like a volume where 0 is 2v and up to 15 it is boosting it, like a bass boost or something?

I don't like turning nobs all the way up because I'm afraid of clipping, is it safe to have the subwoofer output at 15?

Thanks!

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[jbizzle 5,000+ posts]

I have the same headunit, I set my gains with everything on zero, once everything was set I put it up to 15/15 and I use my remote gain to see if my amp is clipping or not.

 

[mepratt1234@cha 10+ year member]

I read somewhere that your supposed to set your gains with the subwoofer setting at 15/15.

 

[Nevalite 10+ year member]

But what exactly is it controling, is it the pre-out voltage?

Does the signal start to clip if I put it to max like the volume on a HU? Or is it safe to run it at 15/15 and just turn it down if I want less bass?

 

[boomzilla 10+ year member]

its pretty much a bass boost. use it when you have a shitty quality cd with lack of bass. turn that stuff down or just 1+ at the most. take the bass knob off the amp if you have one and adjust the gain, it should sound clean

 

[Nevalite 10+ year member]

Theres no remote bass knob (gain) with my amp.

It just seems when running the subwoofer setting low (5/15) I have to turn my gain on my amp up a lot to get my 44.7V (1000W@2Ohms). I think because its not getting many volts from the RCAs.

So I thought maybe the 2v preout was when I had the setting to 15/15 and I wouldn't have to turn the gain up so much since it would be getting the proper 2v...

So I wanted to know if its safe to run it at 15/15 or does it cause clipping like on a volume that is maxed out.

I think I'm just going to go take some measurements with my dmm and see what I can discover.

 

[Nevalite 10+ year member]

Well I just went and did some measuring and it would appear that I was right.

When set to 26/35 volume (75%) and 0/15 subwoofer control I get 0.2 ACv

When set to 26/35 volume (75%) and 15/15 subwoofer control I get 1.6 ACv

So basicly this means you only get a 200mV pre-out from your HU when at max volume (75%) if you have the subwoofer control set to 0/15, you get your full 2V when its at 15/15.

For me this means I'm going to run it at 15/15 and I'll be able to turn the gain down on my amp while still getting my 44.7V. If I ever want less bass I can simply turn down the subwoofer control.

Case closed.

 

[Rich B 5,000+ posts]

Alpine's bass control is made where the highest setting is 0 DB.

In other words, +15 IS "0".

 

[Nevalite 10+ year member]

Yeah that's what I figured out. Does this stand for the bass/treble control aswell or is that merely an equalizer?

 

[Cameron_B 10+ year member]

Well I just went and did some measuring and it would appear that I was right.
When set to 26/35 volume (75%) and 0/15 subwoofer control I get 0.2 ACv

When set to 26/35 volume (75%) and 15/15 subwoofer control I get 1.6 ACv

So basicly this means you only get a 200mV pre-out from your HU when at max volume (75%) if you have the subwoofer control set to 0/15, you get your full 2V when its at 15/15.

For me this means I'm going to run it at 15/15 and I'll be able to turn the gain down on my amp while still getting my 44.7V. If I ever want less bass I can simply turn down the subwoofer control.

Case closed.

Yes you are correct, it varies the pre-amp voltage.

I have the same headunit. I am also reading 0.2 at 0/15

 

[350zspl 10+ year member]

i use a 9886

subwoofer on +15

 

[BEAVER.989 10+ year member]

As previously mentioned, +15 is 0. I set my gains with my volume at 30 and the sub voulme at 12. This gives me a little wiggle room for material that is recorded poorly... I always have that 3db boost available.

 

[eharri3 10+ year member]

Hey,
On my CDA-9883 I have an option in the controls called subwoofer, I can adjust it from 0 to +15. When it's at 0 the voltage from my RCAs seems to be really low.

What I was wondering is if the subwoofer control changes the pre-out voltage (2v). When the subwoofer control is at +15 is that because its at 2v and everything before 15 is under 2v?

Or does it act like a volume where 0 is 2v and up to 15 it is boosting it, like a bass boost or something?

I don't like turning nobs all the way up because I'm afraid of clipping, is it safe to have the subwoofer output at 15?

Thanks!

i tune with it at 15 and cut it in songs where the sub doesnt blend so well. It isnt a boost. Its there to give u independent control of sub bass aside from speaker bass for blending. Whether u clip depends on where in that range u set the gain and what u do with the volume.

 

[innsanes 10+ year member]

alpine decks are design to have 4 volt at level 15 and anything lower will be under 4 volts.