help with amp after adjusting gain with multimeter

[GoBucks! 10+ year member]

I adjusted the gain on my RE Audio DTS 1000.1 with a multimeter. Square root of 330 watts @ 4 ohm load= 36.33 VAC. Used a 60 Hz tone with no bass boost, low pass filter set to highest, sub sonic set to lowest, head unit at 75% volume and a flat curve for the EQ.

After adjusting, the gain is only about 1/3 and my Image Dynamics ID8v2 is not very loud.

Thoughts? Should I increase the gain and tune by ear?

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[juanmgarza26 10+ year member]

set them again using a 40 or 50 hz tone, either a 0 db or -3db

 

[sjv13 10+ year member]

Do you know what dB level the test tone was recorded at? If it was 0 or -2dB, then you can turn it up some more. Most music isn't recorded at -2dB or higher.

 

[GoBucks! 10+ year member]

I found a 50 Hz test tone mp3 @ 0 dB and 192 kbps. Will try it and post results shortly.

 

[joselr3668 10+ year member]

did you test the ohms first to make sure its at 4? maybe its off by a little

 

[GoBucks! 10+ year member]

Ohm load= 4.1, used the 50 Hz test tone and adjusted 36.7 VAC. Much better, thanks for the help fellers.

 

[jteske88 10+ year member]

did you check dmm leads and see resistance through them before you got your reading?

 

[zako 10+ year member]

Do you know what dB level the test tone was recorded at? If it was 0 or -2dB, then you can turn it up some more. Most music isn't recorded at -2dB or higher.

IMO, -5dB test tone should be a safe. I my view:

Well recorded music: peaks rarely reach but never exceed -10dB

"Loud" record: peaks reach -5dB

Very rare, plain badly recorded not worth listening: peaks frequenctly reach well above -5dB

 

[sjv13 10+ year member]

IMO, -5dB test tone should be a safe. I my view:
Well recorded music: peaks rarely reach but never exceed -10dB

"Loud" record: peaks reach -5dB

Very rare, plain badly recorded not worth listening: peaks frequenctly reach well above -5dB

That's good to know for a rule of thumb at least.

Have you ever listened to the Red Hot Chili Pepper's album Blood Sugar *** Magik? I always knew it was quieter and lacked bass so I finally put a song in audacity and it's at like -30dB. I was like wtf? It still has really sucky bass though. They really messed up mixing/recording, but the songs are so good!

 

[GAMEOVERCCA 10+ year member]

i use 40hz tone when setting sub amp gain

 

[calebkhill 10+ year member]

First off use -5 DB 80hz tone.

Most people recommend 85% volume.

I recommend getting the arm nano oscope for 60 bucks and test for clipping. You may be robbing yourself assuming.

My head unit clips at 61/62 , wouldn't know this if not using an oscope.

also you could be clipping the amp.