Help me understand Amp settings

[darkhunter139 10+ year member]

Ok here are the settings I have on my amp

Gain (know what this is)

Bass Boost (Know what this is)

LPF (No clue what this does)

X over (No clue)

HPF (No clue)

I have a 500 watt amp powering a 250 watt RMS sub so its definitely over powered

Which of these settings are safe to turn up and what do they do?

I tried searching but could not get the answer to this

Click to read more...

 

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

Do some reading here. A lot of good information on this page.

http://www.bcae1.com/amplfier.htm

 

[darkhunter139 10+ year member]

Awesome thanks for the link

If my ground was crappy what would that affect? Would it make the sub not function properly?

 

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

Bad grounds can make amps do weird things. Make sure there isn't anything that would resist the connection like paint, ect. Also make sure the ground is a good spot, ie. the actual car body not something that is bolted off of the chassis (for example seatbelt metal pieces or whatever, something that bolts to the chassis). I've used both before, but I think it's a good habit to just do it right the first time and use the chassis in the first place. And make sure your ground is bolted down securely. I've had amps not function properly, and well turned out the ground connection wasn't secure enough.

 

[darkhunter139 10+ year member]

Bad grounds can make amps do weird things. Make sure there isn't anything that would resist the connection like paint, ect. Also make sure the ground is a good spot, ie. the actual car body not something that is bolted off of the chassis (for example seatbelt metal pieces or whatever, something that bolts to the chassis). I've used both before, but I think it's a good habit to just do it right the first time and use the chassis in the first place. And make sure your ground is bolted down securely. I've had amps not function properly, and well turned out the ground connection wasn't secure enough.

I had it grounded to a bolt in the top of the trunk on a metal bar. I guess that is a really bad one right? Would something in the spare tire compartment (Under the floor of the trunk) be better?

 

[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

Do some reading here. A lot of good information on this page.
http://www.bcae1.com/amplfier.htm

one of the best sites to read if your a beginner or a pro. great info

 

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

I had it grounded to a bolt in the top of the trunk on a metal bar. I guess that is a really bad one right? Would something in the spare tire compartment (Under the floor of the trunk) be better?

If you don't hear any induced noise, then I wouldn't worry about it. Like I said, I used both types before and never had a problem, but I've seen a lot of people on this board have problems when using those type places as grounds. But if it ain't broke, why fix it? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[darkhunter139 10+ year member]

I dont know it just seems like my sub is not reaching its full power. When I look at the front its not even vibrating. I know 250 watts is not that much but it seems like my 50 watt Home theater sub almost gives out more.

 

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

Read and study that website, then apply what you learn to your application. Make sure you also have your gains set properly.

 

[darkhunter139 10+ year member]

Read and study that website, then apply what you learn to your application. Make sure you also have your gains set properly.

So its probably just settings that is my problem? Could settings on the head unit also play a factor as well?

 

[darkhunter139 10+ year member]

That site helped a lot but there was nothing really on over powering a sub.

I still dont understand what is safe to do while over powering it and what is not.

 

[dub6pimp 10+ year member]

if your amp is more powerful than the sub, you should set your gain with a dmm to make sure your not overdoing it. then you can mess with the settings on your head unit to bump it up a little to your taste, because some songs are quite a bit quieter, so i find myself changing the eq for almost every song. but real loud songs should play at your original settings(vol, eq, bass boost on the deck) when you set it at. so basically your gain will put you in the "range" but volume, eq, and bass settings on the hu are like little gains that are accesable from your drivers seat. adjust them to your liking but make sure its not sounding shitty. some songs just **** maybe the reason its not sounding good to you.

 

[darkhunter139 10+ year member]

How much is a dmm?

 

[dub6pimp 10+ year member]

get one at fred meyers for 15-20 $ and i returned mine after.