Amp theory? Gain & volume vs output?

[WeeHooker 10+ year member]

Ok, I've seen this argued and am a bit confused. I'm looking for a simple explination (assuming there is one.)

I understand that gain isn't volume but am fuzzy as to what effectgain and HU volume controls have on allowing that full 100W to get to the speakers.

So does gain have to be set just right to be able to get that full 100W out of the amp and to the speakers?

Can I assume that the HU's volume has to be maxed as well?

Any discussion appreciated. A search has turned up anything but anything to the point.

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[Jmac 10+ year member]

The gain is a type of volume control ... However, it's not meant to be used as one, but rather to match the output voltage coming from your head unit ...

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

The gain is a type of volume control ... However, it's not meant to be used as one, but rather to match the output voltage coming from your head unit ...

x2. Set your headunit to the loudest volume you usually listen to. The reason many people set them at 3/4 volume or whatever arbitrary number is used is because many headunit outputs will clip at full volume.

Also you must first learn that music is dynamic so you wont be getting 100w at all times. Which is nothing to get worried about either.

Now a remote gain is actually a volume control and can be used as such.

 

[WeeHooker 10+ year member]

[x2. Set your headunit to the loudest volume you usually listen to. The reason many people set them at 3/4 volume or whatever arbitrary number is used is because many headunit outputs will clip at full volume./QUOTE]

That's what I'm doing. I'd just like to understand the details a little better.

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

That's what I'm doing. I'd just like to understand the details a little better.

Did that answer your question? Or do you have any other specific questions?

 

[trebor 10+ year member]

Most decks will start to clip at some point, that means the signal will start to distort so you don't really want to ever be at this point on your deck.

Theoretically you would want to set the gain of your 100W amp to go into clipping at the same time as your deck, this will give you the full clean unclipped 100Watts at full volume, if the amp gain is turned to low then you won't be getting that full 100Watts and if you turn the gain up beyond this point then you really are only adding noise and undue stress to the system............

Now, that is only true if you are playing full strength test tones, but we listen to music which is constantly changing and is recorded at a much lower volume than those test tones so there is a compromise to be made to get the most out of that amp......you turn up the amp gain a little more.....so that at the loudest peaks of your music it's actually distorting if you measured them but not so much that you can hear the distortion.