Isn't a bass knob really just an ATTENUATOR?

[dr_peeb 10+ year member]

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.

I think you're giving bass boost knobs too much credit ... I'm pretty sure they're just a simple attenuator with no crossover of any kind built in. And since they're bass boost knobs, they don't even have to be 2-channel, aka stereo, just a single channel.

When turned all the way up, a bass boost knob allows the full signal being input to it to pass through; It's not actually "boosting", aka amplifying, anything; It has no way to.

When turned down it simply attenuates the full signal being input to it.

By the way, here's the definition of "attenuate" I found: To reduce the amplitude of an electrical signal. I'm pretty darn sure now that that's the only capability of most common boss boost knobs.

 

[dr_peeb 10+ year member]

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.

CORRECTION I thought the bass knob took over for the bass boost screw adjustment on the amp, but it does not; They both work even when the bass knob is plugged in. So, yes, you can adjust the subwoofer level until the cows come home with this Kicker amp.

 

[7ender 10+ year member]

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.

What? So how is that wrong.

Some amps bass boost knob attenuates the bass boost level externally, just as the remote gain knob would. Instead of controlling the gain, it controls the bass boost function of the amp.

 

[TnT_Sounds 10+ year member]

What? So how is that wrong.
Some amps bass boost knob attenuates the bass boost level externally, just as the remote gain knob would. Instead of controlling the gain, it controls the bass boost function of the amp.

I saw somewhere, someone said the gain attenuator and bass boost are the same thing. They can't be, the gain attenuator will only be adjustable per the source level. The bass knobs aren't no where in line with the source level. They are a function to boost the bass. Not the gain. That was my point. I run the david navone eng N-22. And its a very unique little piece of equipment. I hate bass boost knobs and I hate that control function that are on amps.

I'm glad the new IA 40.1 will not have either.

 

[7ender 10+ year member]

Okay, I never said bass boost and gain attenuator's were the same, in fact my post was pointing out the difference between them, so I was trying to understand why you said I was wrong...

 

[TnT_Sounds 10+ year member]

I'm confused. Chris from db-r said something about them being the same or at least I thought he did, I'm probably wrong. Idk, its hard reading the tiny font from my phone and understanding everything.

 

[lacboi 10+ year member]

basically its the same thing as the bass level on your head unit, goosh you guys are making it harder than it should be lol

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

basically its the same thing as the bass level on your head unit, goosh you guys are making it harder than it should be lol

Actually this isn't true in most, if NOT all cases.

I have (sitting on a shelf in my basement) an MTX LSX-2 large signal crossover. It has an input (telephone jack basically) for MTX's EBC (external bass control). The EBC could also be used on MTX amps. But on the LSX-2 you set your gains WITHOUT the EBC even connected. After you set your gains you then plug the cord in and then your EBC knob controlled the gain on your sub amp. Even if you turn the gain up or down on the x-over itself it had NO effect. Only the EBC would change the gain. If you unplugged the EBC's cord the gain on the EBC is then relevant again. So in reality the EBC was nothing more than a remote gain adjustment that could be mounted anywhere in the vehicle. It wasn't a TONE or BASS control of any sort. Just a gain adjuster to whatever amp you plugged it into.

 

[dB-r 10+ year member]

**** why does this have to be so complex. You got three types of remotes, maybe four:

1. Remote Gain allows you to adjust up to the level you set the gain on the front panel of the amp, but no further, but allows you to REDUCE the gain via the remote knob.

2. Bass Boost. Most Class D amps have a BASS BOOST function which boosts the levels of the BASS frequencies either at a fixed centered point with rolloff (45hz for most fixed) or adjustable from 35hz-120hz for the "center" boosting point and it rolls-off from there up or down in frequency (less boost in dB as you go up or down in frequency from the center point) and then there is the Bass BOOST dB setting, which is 0dB-18dB on most amps which is the AMOUNT of boost. Some knobs are tied into the AMOUNT of bass boost (0dB-18dB). Not many remotes I have seen are setup this way.

3. Inline Attenuator. Just a potentiometer in a pretty little box that someone sold you for alot of money that plugs into your RCA cables and then you plug into the RCA input on your amp. Some Attenuators may actually have an OP-AMP IC inside them to control the amount of attenuation or boost in amplitude, but most do not, just a Potentiometer inside and possibly a few capacitors for coupling the circuit.

4. Remote Processor. Like an EPICENTER. Plugs into your head unit RCA's then plugs into your AMPS RCA's and has circuitry and a bunch of OP-AMPs inside with 1 or more Potentiometers on the actual remote, this device actually changes the signal entirely before it ever enters your amplifier.

 

[dB-r 10+ year member]

1. Remote Gain allows you to adjust up to the level you set the gain on the front panel of the amp, but no further, but allows you to REDUCE the gain via the remote knob.

Do be aware that on this type of setup, the knob is not tied into the op-amp inside the amp that is controled by the GAIN potentiometer on the front panel. There is actually seperate op-amps right at the END of the input circuit just before the signal goes into the PRE-DRIVE section of the amplifier that this knob is tied into. So the signal, at a minimum passes through the first OP-AMP which is tied to the GAIN knob on the panel of the amp, then goes through at least 1 more OP-AMP that is tied to the REMOTE potentiometer before the signal is pass to the pre-drive circuit of the main amplifier section of the amp.

 

[slim2fattycake 10+ year member]

Where can I get the Inline Attenuator remote for the not a lot of money price?

I have bass boost remote only //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[dB-r 10+ year member]

Are you sure? What amplifier is this?

You can make an attenuator yourself. It's just a potentiometer and some caps... Google for homemade attenuator.

 

[dB-r 10+ year member]

I'm glad the new IA 40.1 will not have either.

It doesn't reduce the quality of the sound to HAVE it on the amp, only when it's over-used. IA = plain and simple power and removing the bass boost function goes along with their mantra.

 

[slim2fattycake 10+ year member]

Are you sure? What amplifier is this?
You can make an attenuator yourself. It's just a potentiometer and some caps... Google for homemade attenuator.

I have the audiopipe ap-30001D amp. It fits the description you gave for a bass boost and it says it in the manual.

but I'll google and see if its an easy build. Thanks.

 

[SicAudio 5,000+ posts]

the hifonics use the 0-10 and 0 -18db bass boost feature.

you set the amps boost setting to what you want the maximum to be and then when you plug in the remote boost control knob it takes control just like Db-r said upto the maximum that you set on the amp itself. it is a set boost at 40 or 45Hz and increases that frequency by the amount you set it to, it is to accentuate that freq is all it is for and if used properly will never harm anything.