Amplifier Setting Tutorial

[thangalang 10+ year member]

I have a question:

Which gives better performance -3db 60hz or -3db 50hz?

I have tried my gains with the -3db 60hz tone, and was wondering if it will make any difference if I went to a -6db tone.

I listen primarily to rap/hip-hop.

Would going with a 50hz tone be better than 60hz?

 

[thangalang 10+ year member]

can anyone help please?

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

As long as you don't have a crossover switched on when you do the setting, there will be no difference between a 50hz tone and one that is 60hz provided that they are both at the same level (ie 0dB, -3dB, etc...)

Ideally, you shouldn't have the bass boost on, your system should be balanced without it. That is the reason that this tutorial says to turn it off. If you do use it, you have to have it on when you set the gain otherwise you are totally defeating the purpose of using any measuring equipment at all when doing the gain setting.

 

[Torr 10+ year member]

I love this guide. Thank you to the original poster.

I have a question however. During the tone selection phase (at the very beginning), each of the options (0 dB, -3 dB, -6 dB, and -10 dB) is said to have "better performance" than the one listed before it. In this case, what does the word "performance" refer to? are we talking about sound quality or just volume?

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Just volume. The issue is the recording level of the source material that you use and how close to the edge you are willing to tread. If you have music recorded at a lower level, the -10dB tones might be fine. If you listen to a lot of rap or "chopped and boosted" stuff, you might need the -3dB tones to keep from clipping.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Just volume. The issue is the recording level of the source material that you use and how close to the edge you are willing to tread. If you have music recorded at a lower level, the -10dB tones might be fine. If you listen to a lot of rap or "chopped and boosted" stuff, you might need the -3dB tones to keep from clipping.

To add on, the higher the absolute value, the more cushion you are providing...the way I understand.

So, if you wanted an extra cushion use -3 or 0.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

To add on, the higher the absolute value, the more cushion you are providing...the way I understand.
So, if you wanted an extra cushion use -3 or 0.

That would be a lower absolute value. Other than the terminology, you are correct.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

yes, I was trying to not be confusing and said it wrong. Nice correction.

 

[Torr 10+ year member]

Great. Thanks a lot. Since I am interested in sound quality far more than volume I think I'll stick to the safest option (0db).

 

[tee 10+ year member]

Let me get this strait before I mess up something. I have an Alpine MRP-F450 (70x4/200x2 4ohms). I have the Revs (60W) for the first two channel, a sub (150W) for the last two. For the Voltage = SQRT(Power*Resistance), I would use SQRT(60x4) = 15.5V right? For the sub, I would use SQRT(150x4) = 24.5V? Should I use 150, the RMS of the sub, or something a little bit higher, like 170 or something?

I would have all of my EQs on when setting the gains right? On the amp, there's this thing called "BASS EQ", should I have it on or off? Would I have to redo my gains if I choose to turn it on or off?

The part that I am most confused about is the test tones. I have no clue to which one to use. I listen to hip hop mostly, sometimes rap. Can you tell me which to use to test both the speakers and the sub? I would disconnect both the speakers and the sub when I'm testing it right?

Thanks a bunch to whoever answer this.

 

[tee 10+ year member]

Can someone please help me before I start doing everything tomorrow? Also, if I use the amp's crossovers, I would turn off the HU's crossovers right?

 

[tee 10+ year member]

Let me get this strait before I mess up something. I have an Alpine MRP-F450 (70x4/200x2 4ohms). I have the Revs (60W) for the first two channel, a sub (150W) for the last two. For the Voltage = SQRT(Power*Resistance), I would use SQRT(60x4) = 15.5V right? For the sub, I would use SQRT(150x4) = 24.5V? Should I use 150, the RMS of the sub, or something a little bit higher, like 170 or something?
The part that I am most confused about is the test tones. I have no clue to which one to use. I listen to hip hop mostly, sometimes rap. Can you tell me which to use to test both the speakers and the sub? I would disconnect both the speakers and the sub when I'm testing it right?

Help please. I have an hour tomorrow to do this; the only time until Saturday. I can't wait that long.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[miker 5,000+ posts]

.... When I was trying to set mine, I got no reading on my DMM.... But on DC I got readings... Why would I not be getting AC readings?

 

[tee 10+ year member]

How do you know what Hz tone to use?

 

[Torr 10+ year member]

Two questions:

1. I have found that my head unit can go to max volume without any audible distortion. Therefore, is there anything wrong with settting my gain with the head unit at max volume and then using the volume control liberally with no worries as to how high I push it? Is there any drawback to doing it this way as opposed to lowering my volume to 2/3 and setting the gain based on that then never going over that 2/3 volume?

2. Why is the opening post gone?