how to test voltage at headunit?

[2002XLT 5,000+ posts]

im curious if this might be the reason why my sub is not as loud as i would like. I really dont like turning up the volume as much as i have to at this point to get the voltage i need at my amp, i have to turn it up to 21, and i really dont want to turn it above 18, also this is with my amps gains pretty much all the way up, so im curious if sincei have a 2V headunit, that might be my problem? And im not sure how to match up my amp with my headunit since there is a setting for input level, which goes from 0db up to 24 db, not sure how that translates inot the voltage, because it says its .5 - 8.5V ready. Im thinking i might need a line driver to boost the input level? or am i way off?

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[wesl56 10+ year member]

hey on that alpine, under the subwoofer level settings, do you have that all the way up? the deck only puts out full preout voltage to the woofer when that setting is at max, and the voltage just goes down as you adjust it from there

 

[95BlackGA 5,000+ posts]

A line driver/new headunit with higher preamp voltage WOULD help you. This is my problem. I have a cheap headunit with low headunit out put voltage, so my gain has to be up if I want it to be loud, luckily, for now, I don't want to be loud. Once I get a new headunit, or line driver, I will be.

 

[95BlackGA 5,000+ posts]

I didn't even see what headunit you have. But I agree with the statement above mine.

 

[2002XLT 5,000+ posts]

ya it goes up to +15, and i have to max the HU out, and the gains on my amp just to see around 44 volts at the sub..

 

[wesl56 10+ year member]

9853 in his siggy

 

[2002XLT 5,000+ posts]

and max the volume to 21, if i go to 22 i get up into the 54-55 volt area, which is too much.

 

[2002XLT 5,000+ posts]

soo line driver would help? Id really like to keep the volume at about 18 max right now, since i have stock speakers and they start to distort any higher.

 

[2002XLT 5,000+ posts]

where did you guys go....

 

[2002XLT 5,000+ posts]

............

 

[SRim23 5,000+ posts]

do you have the media xpander on? i have the 9855 and with it on the volume is quieter and after like 19 on the volume it stops getting louder all together. try turning it off and see how it sounds. when everything is tuned correctly everything sounds better anyway

 

[2002XLT 5,000+ posts]

well in all honesty, im having some trouble getting the hu tuned as well, got any tips on what i should be setting all the levels to? ill check the media xpander, not sure if its off or not.

 

[2002XLT 5,000+ posts]

soo line driver?? or no....

 

[trunks9_us 10+ year member]

i would get a line driver not sure your alpine makes one but it not look into phoenix gold.

 

[dipitydoo 10+ year member]

What's the maximum volume setting on the HU? Something like mid to high 30's maybe, if I remember correctly? Why do you not want to go past 18? The volume range is there on your HU, use it. Judging by the fact that you get close to your max desired output at vol number 21, I suggest you turn your gain down, if only to minimize noise and gain a more subtle change in volume per click. If you don't have audible noise already, a line driver won't audibly help.