Amp Gain Setting - Subwoofer

[tracyrick 10+ year member]

I can't find a conclusive answer on this:

If my Alpine HU has a Sub volume control, do I turn that up to 15 (max) before I do the gain setting test, or turn it down to 0 ?

Just did the 50hz test tone on my JL 500/1 amp (for a 12w6 at 2ohms) using an AC multimeter. Got to 31.6V with the gain turned up only 25%. Sub sounds weak - I think.

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[matrxx dude 5,000+ posts]

sometimes its better to set gain by ear.

 

[tracyrick 10+ year member]

Yeah, I've seen that recommendation too, but I don't trust myself.

Is there a definitive answer to my question? Put Sub volume at max or zero?

 

[dgr00s 10+ year member]

i was always under the impression to set the gain with the control set to +15 or whatever the max may be.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Turn the sub volume control to max when setting the gain. Otherwise the control is useless.

As far as the sub sounding weak, use a -3dB or -6dB tone to set the gain. That will better approximate the signal you get from music and give you more output but still be reasonably assured that it won't clip.

 

[tracyrick 10+ year member]

Thanks helotaxi. I'll try -3db. I listen to mostly progressive rock and metal. I used 0db before, maybe -3db is the way to go for me.

 

[406er 10+ year member]

us at least -6db tones. most music is recorded at -6db. some even use -10db