Distortion help!

[Lawdog74]

I have a 2011 Camaro, I just installed Hertz Mille 6.5 in the front and Hertz Mille 6x9's in the rear running them with the JL XD600/6, and I have a Single JL 12W7 in the rear running off a JL Slash 1000/1 amp, all hooked up to the Pioneer NEX8200. I have the SMD DD1, if I use that accurately I can get the amp or bass boost gain up high enough to really hear any bass. I have to go above that distortion level for it to sound good. It feel like I am doing something wrong, what should I do, pay attention to the distortion, on the sub, or push it to what sounds good? At that point do I turn up the Input sensitivity till it sounds good or the or the Parametric Boost EQ control, or a little of both? Or am have a probably done something wrong? Yes I have tried keeping the sensitivity in the non distortion range and increasing the radio DB boost for the sub but its not enough. Thanks!!!!!!

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[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

Bass boost is bad 1st of all. Sounds like your gains on the amps aren't set correctly.

 

[Lawdog74]

I am using the recommendations from page 8? AsI am using the SMD D1 to set the Input sensitivity? http://mediacdn.jlaudio.com/media/mfg/9013/media_document/live_1/12W7_MAN.pdf?1305758644

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

No...just no. I like how in that diagram JL suggests leaving the bass boost off position and even tho the engineers added it to the amps anyway....lol

Anyway, the gain on your amp doesn't sound like it's set. Refer to this vid....

 

[shredder1 10+ year member]

If I may ask ... are you just looking for more bass... clearer bass?... are your highs sufficient?... I'm unclear on this...

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

Who installed/hooked all this up? It could very well be the settings on your HU that just needs simple tuning. Are you sure the RCA's are plugged in into the proper amps? A lot of labeled RCA's on back of HU will be Sub output, front output and, rear output. Sub output for the sub amp of course then the other 2 for the 4 ch amp. And setting gains correctly with a DMM should help things too.

 

[Lawdog74]

Yes I am looking for more bass, on the radio settings there is not much bass, that could be partially because we have poor radio signals in Hawaii. If i go past the SMD DD1 distortion level I get the sound I am looking for, I can't hear the distortion per say, but its past. Yes, i hooked everything up the RCA's are ran properly and the speaker wire, i have checked the polarity as well. Thanks for the help!!!!

 

[nauc 10+ year member]

you need to set your amp gain right. heres how...

JL Audio » header » Support » Tutorials » Tutorial: Input Sensitivity (Gain) Setting

heres the test tones... Realm of Excursion

dont use the DD1. you dont need it. and dont use bass boost

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

Sounds like you just need more gain on your amp. DO NOT use bass boost of any kind ever!

Nudge that gain on the amp up a bit and see if it helps but be mindful if you play a bass heavy track you may give that W7 more than you intend so go easy if you switch between sources or from track to track.