Isn't a bass knob really just an ATTENUATOR?

[dr_peeb 10+ year member]

Seems to me like if you're going to use a bass knob, you should set your amp's gains with the bass knob all the way UP. Once gains are set, back the knob down to a "normal" level

It's called bass boost, but that seems pretty misleading ... no?

I guess it does let you "boost" the bass once you've set your gains and then backed the bass knob down to a "normal" level. i.e. maybe you want to "boost" some songs that are lacking in bass.

I dunno, it's kinda confusing. Maybe I should just throw the bass knob in the garbage.

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[bhsdriller 10+ year member]

a what

 

[burzendowski 10+ year member]

my dd m1a has a knob all it is the gain . you can mount it up at the dash so you can adjust to each song being played. mine also has a clipping indicator very nice feature. the way mine works whatever the gain on the amp is set to you can adjust from zero up to that point.

 

[ICHASEPAPER2010]

Dont Quote Me On This But From What I Understand Bass Knobs Changes The Way The Amplifier Is Set Up Meaning If Your Supposed To Play At A 30hz The Knob Changes To Like 40-45 Hz Depending On The Amp (thats What I Heard)

 

[Nut Hair Trick 10+ year member]

OP, you are right

 

[dB-r 10+ year member]

The remote knob with most amp designs is just a gain defeater.

Basically it works like this:

You set your amp gain at half (1/2) way up.

The remote knob, in the MAX position = gain half way up (1/2) on the amp. Anything less than MAX is like turning the gain on the amp down.

 

[Kyle! 10+ year member]

The remote knob with most amp designs is just a gain defeater.
Basically it works like this:

You set your amp gain at half (1/2) way up.

The remote knob, in the MAX position = gain half way up (1/2) on the amp. Anything less than MAX is like turning the gain on the amp down.

Is that how all amps are? I was wondering about this the other day

 

[dB-r 10+ year member]

Some amps have fancier remotes with several knobs and some may just have 1 knob that actually corresponds with the BASS BOOST on the front of the amp, but not many that I have seen. Only in some of the bigger more exotic/expensive amps like the Rockford Fosgate BIG amps like the T20K or T15K whatever it is.

 

[dB-r 10+ year member]

If you really want control, get an EPICENTER.... LOL.... best thing since sliced bread for subwoofer processing... if you can find one.

 

[dr_peeb 10+ year member]

The remote knob with most amp designs is just a gain defeater.
Basically it works like this:

You set your amp gain at half (1/2) way up.

The remote knob, in the MAX position = gain half way up (1/2) on the amp. Anything less than MAX is like turning the gain on the amp down.

Yes, that is what I was thinking.

 

[dr_peeb 10+ year member]

Some amps have fancier remotes with several knobs and some may just have 1 knob that actually corresponds with the BASS BOOST on the front of the amp, but not many that I have seen. Only in some of the bigger more exotic/expensive amps like the Rockford Fosgate BIG amps like the T20K or T15K whatever it is.

On my Kicker amp, you can set the "bass boost" screw adjustment on the amp itself with a small screwdriver, but when you plug in the bass boost knob that takes over instead of the screw setting on the amp. The whole bass knob thing is starting to seem kinda silly, but maybe after some more fiddling I'll change my mind.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[corrie32 10+ year member]

i just toss mine all together

 

[TnT_Sounds 10+ year member]

I believe the David Navone N-22 is a real Attenuator. It goes in between the rca's from the source to the amp. As far as I'm aware, the regular bass boost knobs are just bass boost knobs. They don't adjust the signal level. Only the bass boost

 

[7ender 10+ year member]

Most "bass boost" knobs are external gain remotes.

Some of the cheaper amps knobs are actually remote bass boosts (as the name would lead you to believe), such as the old audiobahn amps.

Don't know why most amp companies call it a bass boost when it really isn't. So yes, OP you are correct.

 

[TnT_Sounds 10+ year member]

Most "bass boost" knobs are external gain remotes.
Some of the cheaper amps knobs are actually remote bass boosts (as the name would lead you to believe), such as the old audiobahn amps.

Don't know why most amp companies call it a bass boost when it really isn't. So yes, OP you are correct.

That's wrong. Attenuators only adjust the source level. Not boost the bass. Stick a DMM on the end of the RCAs and meter the output level. Bass boost knobs do not have that capability. Therefore they can NOT be called attenuators.