Amplifier and Head Unit Settings

[Trey803 5,000+ posts]

I have been messing with my amplifier and headunit settings on my new system and find many ways to make my sub produce bass but i am not sure exactly which order of settings give the best sound(combination of spl and sq)

These are the settings i have to choose from:

Gain

Amplifier Bass Boost

Head Unit Subwoofer Bass Boost

Bass

I know how to correctly set each one and what they each do but which order should they be set in to receive the best bass reproduction from your subwoofers?

Also i notice when too much bass is selected in these setting the sub makes a knocking noise. I know this is called bottoming out and it terrible for your subwoofer but could somone explain what exactly is happeneing to your subwoofer when this occours?

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[msrpIZtooMUCH 10+ year member]

Gain - The proper setting for this is dependent on how much linear voltage the amp is recieving. The gain will usually go from .75v to 4v or there abouts. Once it is properly set proportionaly to the linear voltage, take into consideration the power output of the amp in relation to the power handling of the speaker. Rule of thumb: If you are overpowering turn the gain down (best scenerio). If you are underpowering turn up the gain or better yet get a bigger amp. I always use line drivers and overpower enough to juystify turning the gains all the way down. Another thing to consider when setting gain is system balance. It can be used to keep certain speakers from overpowering others.

Bass - At the head unit I assume. Set it to "flat," then fine tune once you have the gain set.

Bass Boost: The last thing you want to employ. I always leave them turned all the way down (if the amp and/or HU have the feature at all). The way I see it, if the gain is properly set and you still can't get the bass you want with the bass knob on your head unit, then you need to take out the whole system and start over...different subs, more subs, another amp, a bigger amp etc. etc.

The sound that you described sounds like the sub is reaching it's mechanical limits...not a good thing.