How To Set Gains On Liar Amps

[spitfirees20 10+ year member]

I've read multiple tutorials on how to set amp gains using volts, seen JL's flash tutorial, etc, and I know the basic formula to use ( Sqrt(Power*Resistance) = Voltage

(i.e. If you bridge a 4 ohm subwoofer to your amplifier that is rated to produce 100 RMS @ 4 ohms in bridged mode, you would want Sqrt(4*100) = 20 volts) ) However, there is one problem: say I have a legacy amp (like I would ever disgrace my SX like that //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/furious.gif.fc81ca146dbff91fede3ed290dbc4f4c.gif), that's rated to put out 1000 watts rms. We all know this cannot happen without major clipping. So, if I set the gains on an amp that overrates it's rms power rating according to what they rated it as rms, wouldn't that ruin my subs?

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[spitfirees20 10+ year member]

No one knows?

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

if it is clipping it will. if your amp doesn't do that power you won't reach the proper voltage when adjusting your gain //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[tRiGgEr 5,000+ posts]

Use a Ocsope to detect the clipping level.

 

[spitfirees20 10+ year member]

What if you don't have access to one of those?

 

[tRiGgEr 5,000+ posts]

You buy a good amp???

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

then buy one off ebay

 

[spitfirees20 10+ year member]

They start at around $20, and that involves purchasing more stuff. Any other ideas (assuming you already have the amp)?

 

[kotec123 10+ year member]

first find the volume level at which your headunit clips and put it at that volume..second put your amp gain at zero and bass boost at zero and your lpf at 200hz (or as high as your amps goes).....next, at the clipping volume of you hu, play a 60hz tone and increase your gain on ur amp little by little and listen in your subs for any change in sound, distortion, hissing, or any unsual sound, and leave it at the gain setting at which you clip.....that is the max your gain shud be at, and make sure, after finding the clipping volume of ur HU, never to turn it passed that volume...

/of step by step gain setting

 

[spitfirees20 10+ year member]

I know how to set gain lol, I've done multiple car audio setups. I was just wondering how to do it the correct way, using volts, if the amp manufacturer lies about t/s. Thanks anyways though.

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

bob mrly?

 

[spitfirees20 10+ year member]

bob mrly?

What about him?

 

[kotec123 10+ year member]

I know how to set gain lol, I've done multiple car audio setups. I was just wondering how to do it the correct way, using volts, if the amp manufacturer lies about t/s. Thanks anyways though.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

wtf???

that is the correct way.....why care about volts when ur lookin for the MAX ouput from that amp without clipping....do what i told u and stop wasting ur time //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/furious.gif.fc81ca146dbff91fede3ed290dbc4f4c.gif

 

[PhatTonyDeMarco 5,000+ posts]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gifwtf???

that is the correct way.....why care about volts when ur lookin for the MAX ouput from that amp without clipping....do what i told u and stop wasting ur time //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/furious.gif.fc81ca146dbff91fede3ed290dbc4f4c.gif

I find it EXTREMELY diffucult to detect distortion (i.e. a clipped signal) from a subwoofer.

The only way to properly do it would be with an o-scope. What amp is it that you are wondering about? Someone can most likely give you a rough estimate of its output, from experience...

 

[spitfirees20 10+ year member]

There is no specific amp, it's just a question I came up with through searching. I was confused, that method is based entirely on given t/s that you have to believe.