How to adjust/tune my head unit and amp for my front components

[ExplicitUrSelf 10+ year member]

I would like to know if anyone has any tips on how to adjust/tune my head unit and amp so i can get the best preformance and sound quality without messing anything up... My head unit is a pioneer DEH P3100UB and my amp for my front stage components is a cadence xenith. A thiong on the head unit i kinda dont understand is when i am on EQ 2 if i remember correctly on the option for highs i can adjust from 1k, 8k, 10k, or 12k and another option i can choose is 1w, 2w, 1n, or 2n. I dont really know what that stuff means or is and under the mids it gives me the option of 200hz, 500hz. Cant remember what else from the top of my head, sorry. But it also gives me the option 1w, 2w, 1n, or 2n. And on the low it gives me the option of different frequencies but i left that at 50HZ since I was told to leave it there and it also gives me the option 1w, 2w, 1n, or 2n. Tips would be great THNX. Her is what is installed in my car

EF-61NEO/DRT-25 PRO -CDT Audio 6.5" Slim NEODYMIUM Component System with DRT-25 TweetersEF-61NEO/DRT-25 PRO - CDT Audio 6.5" Slim NEODYMIUM Component System with DRT-25 Tweeters

Cadence Xa125.2 Linear Class AB Stereo

Xa125 - 2 Linear Class AB Stereo - XENITH SERIES - Cadence Acoustics, LTD

Pioneer DEH P3100UB

DEH-P3100UB (Archived) - Pioneer Europe

Click to read more...

 

[Databyter 10+ year member]

The frequencies you're confused about are the selectable low (bass) medium (midrange) and high (high pitch) selectable centerlines. Depending on the kind of music you listen to and your speaker setup you can set these middle frequencies for each of the 3 general settings when you first set up your system, later you can just use the big three to adjust your music and leave the fine tuning alone.

The W and N settings refer to the Q factor, which is how much fall off there is surrounding the middle frequency for that range that you select, and how fast it falls off. Picture a sharp pointy peak with the highest point as your selected frequency, or a gentle slope rolling in both directions.

I suggest that you look up the owners manual here http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/StaticFiles/Manuals/Car/DEH-P310UB_OperationManual1029.pdf

Cut and paste from the above link without the useful diagrams is below.

Fine-adjusting equalizer curve

You can adjust the center frequency and the Q

factor (curve characteristics) of each currently

selected curve band (LOW/MID/HI).

Level (dB)

Center frequency

Q=2N

Q=2W

Frequency (Hz)

1 Use MULTI-CONTROL to select

EQ SETTING 2.

2 Press MULTI-CONTROL to display the

setting mode.

3 Press MULTI-CONTROL to select the segment

you wish to set.

Press MULTI-CONTROL repeatedly to switch

the segment in the following order:

Band—Frequency—Q factor

4 Turn MULTI-CONTROL to adjust the selected

segement.

Band

LOW (low)—MID (mid)—HI (high)

Frequency

Low: 40HZ—80HZ—100HZ—160HZ

Mid: 200HZ—500HZ—1KHZ—2KHZ

High: 3KHZ—8KHZ—10KHZ—12KHZ

Q factor

2W—1W—1N—2N

(this makes alot more sense in the PDF)

And if in doubt just select the most gentle q factor and the middle frequency for each band.

Regarding your Amp gain settings, after you sett your HU the way I suggested (or whatever you want) then use the manufacturers recommended gain setting procedure.

If you don't have the manual you can look it up online as I did with your HU. If you still can't find it the Amplifier section of this forum gives the good ballpark methods for setting it.

Good luck. I just got a Pioneer myself but my car isn't ready for it yet.