GAIN HELP: 2 AQ sdc2.5 12s w/fosgate p1000bd

[Giovanni15 10+ year member]

so i know the rockford is 1000 rms at 1 ohm. but ive read that it actually puts out like 1200 rms? someone correct me if im wrong. also the two audioque subs are 600 rms a piece. so its almost a perfect match. now how do i know how much to set my gain up? i have it at 1/4 and i already feel like im overpowering the subs. could that be? i dont want to damage them. also the subs are in a bass pro box. i can post pics of the setup if needed. thanks.

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[NIHL8ION]

Get yourself a DMM and a good 50 hz test tone. Google setting amp gains properly with a DMM, without an oscilloscope going above rated output is NOT very wise, you don't want to be sending your subs a clipped signal... Clipping KILLS subs

 

[Giovanni15 10+ year member]

if heard and read alot about clipping but never quite understood it. so thats the only way to do it? it shouldnt be clipping because the amp is rated at 1000 rms at 1 ohm and the subs together at 1 ohm are 1200 rms. but like i said this is only my second system.

 

[NIHL8ION]

if heard and read alot about clipping but never quite understood it. so thats the only way to do it? it shouldnt be clipping because the amp is rated at 1000 rms at 1 ohm and the subs together at 1 ohm are 1200 rms. but like i said this is only my second system.

Clipping has nothing to do with your amp or subs power... It has everything to do with incorrectly setting gain on your amplifier. You amplifier's gain is NOT a volume knob... It is meant to match the input voltage of whatever source you are sending it a signal from for playback... Without using a DMM you are just guessing, You can do this by ear, but I do not recommend it as not everyone has a knack for that and even if you did it is still just a GUESS and not an ACTUAL determination... Premature damage can be done to your system without setting amp gain properly, so it's really in your best interest to do the research and put in the time to do this properly to protect your hard-earned spent investment... Just trying to save you from grief and headaches down the road...

 

[Giovanni15 10+ year member]

gotcha. ill have to look into it. because one of only 2 audio shops around here doesnt even know how to set gains. i think i know more than they do. he just guesses and never uses an oscilloscope. ill have to go to a bigger city and see if they have that so they can set it for me. think that im save leaving it at 1/4 gain?

 

[NIHL8ION]

gotcha. ill have to look into it. because one of only 2 audio shops around here doesnt even know how to set gains. i think i know more than they do. he just guesses and never uses an oscilloscope. ill have to go to a bigger city and see if they have that so they can set it for me. think that im save leaving it at 1/4 gain?

What is your pre-amp voltage on your head unit? If not then what is your head unit Make / model?

 

[Giovanni15 10+ year member]

its a kenwood ddx6019 2v preamp i believe

 

[NIHL8ION]

its a kenwood ddx6019 2v preamp i believe

yes it is 2v I checked... The amps's input gain adjustment goes from 150mV to 4V (RCA Input) so yes to answer your question... you should be "safe" at 1/4 gain... as long as your subs are not bottoming out, distorting, getting overly hot, or starting to smell bad, you shouldn't have any issues... I would still look into getting it set correctly though when you can //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[Giovanni15 10+ year member]

yes it is 2v I checked... The amps's input gain adjustment goes from 150mV to 4V (RCA Input) so yes to answer your question... you should be "safe" at 1/4 gain... as long as your subs are not bottoming out, distorting, getting overly hot, or starting to smell bad, you shouldn't have any issues... I would still look into getting it set correctly though when you can //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

so right now what do i leave the frequency hz set at? i dont know much about that either

 

[NIHL8ION]

so right now what do i leave the frequency hz set at? i dont know much about that either

I usually set my LPF frequency to right around 80 hz

 

[macsdad 10+ year member]

Now, that's how it's supposed to work. somebody poses a legit question, and actually gets decent advise. Good luck, op, hope it works out for you.