Gains

[kev7706 10+ year member]

I'm trying to set the gains on a Sony ES XM-3546 (http://ampguts.realmofexcursion.com/Sony_XM-3546/). The rear channels are bridged to give a TC-1000 130 watts at 4 ohms. Following JL's website, I determined a peak voltage of ~23 (sqrt(130*4)). I set the Eclipse radio's volume to 65/80, disconnected sub leads, and put in a 50 Hz (0 db) sine tone. I tapped voltmeter leads to the + left and - right terminals (the ones used for bridging), and turned the gain until reaching the 23 volts previously calculated.

The problem is that my sub is now very quiet, even with the volume knob at 65. I realize the sub is well underpowered - 400 watts RMS - but I've cranked it up FAR louder in the past without clipping. I've also powered other subs with similar wattage and had better results. Did I do something wrong? Does this sub really need 300-400 watts to get moving? I'm not looking for earth-shattering bass, but right now this sub doesn't even keep up the fronts, which are only getting 35 watts. I can't turn the front channel gain knob far enough down to compensate for the sub's lack of output.

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[DBfan187 5,000+ posts]

Which eclipse HU?

 

[patrick1202 10+ year member]

do it by ear

 

[kev7706 10+ year member]

Which eclipse HU?

Cheap Eclipse 3402 from a few years ago with 2.5V preouts.

 

[jake760 10+ year member]

try setting the gain with a -3 tone, or try setting it with music.

 

[Stel 10+ year member]

It is very unlikely any music you play will be recorded as high as the -0db test tone and the sub is underpowered. The amp might have been clipping before, clipping is less noticeable on subs.

 

[Propimp 10+ year member]

do it by ear

Great idea. He is doing it one of the safest way and you tell him to do it bye ear? alot of distortion you can pick up by ear. especially lows.

 

[Propimp 10+ year member]

do it by ear

Great idea. He is doing it one of the safest way and you tell him to do it bye ear? alot of distortion you can pick up by ear. especially lows. IMHO keep it where its at and buy a more powerful amp. subs hate clipping

 

[DBfan187 5,000+ posts]

you can clip a speaker all day long as long as it can handle the power and nothing will go wrong.