amplifier setting

[menikmati 10+ year member]

so today i reset my gains using test tones and a multimeter. i noticed that with different attentuated tones, the lower it is, (-3 db, -6db would be "lower"), the less voltage you get meaning you turn your gain up a tad bit more. also for the frequencies, i tried setting it at 50hz to 38.xx, and then when i played a 30hz tone it went to 60.xx. so with all these variables, how would calculating the voltage needed for a certain amount of RMS wattage even work? the voltage changes with different attenuations and different frequencies.

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[GrnEydDvl 10+ year member]

so today i reset my gains using test tones and a multimeter. i noticed that with different attentuated tones, the lower it is, (-3 db, -6db would be "lower"), the less voltage you get meaning you turn your gain up a tad bit more. also for the frequencies, i tried setting it at 50hz to 38.xx, and then when i played a 30hz tone it went to 60.xx. so with all these variables, how would calculating the voltage needed for a certain amount of RMS wattage even work? the voltage changes with different attenuations and different frequencies.

Yes, with lower tones you will need to turn the gain up to generate the same voltage on the outputs. -10dB closely approximates the max level you will achieve with most music. Some music will peak over -10dB so you have to be careful if you use -10dB.

You can use higher level tones if you want to be more conservative or if you don't know when to say when with the volume knob and are afraid you will damage your gear.

With frequency response being flat, or very close to flat, you would have similar output voltages no matter what frequency you used. I would wager you have some sort of bass eq (boost) running or a crossover interfering when you took your measurements.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/word.gif.64b12e39f936af3b4fff38a1c0bd0244.gif to all statements made above.

 

[Vicodin113 10+ year member]

Yes, with lower tones you will need to turn the gain up to generate the same voltage on the outputs. -10dB closely approximates the max level you will achieve with most music. Some music will peak over -10dB so you have to be careful if you use -10dB.
You can use higher level tones if you want to be more conservative or if you don't know when to say when with the volume knob and are afraid you will damage your gear.

With frequency response being flat, or very close to flat, you would have similar output voltages no matter what frequency you used. I would wager you have some sort of bass eq (boost) running or a crossover interfering when you took your measurements.

Very well said!