Just not happy with new system...

[stockwes 10+ year member]

So i recently installed a new system in my car. Here are the specs

2008 Honda Civic

Kenwood x994

Jl Audio 450/4

Image Dynamic CTX65CS in front (150 watt rms channel)

Stock in rear (75 watt rms rear channel)

Concept 1200D

2 RE SE10D4's (1200rms to the pair)

1.3 ft^3 sealed box for the pair

1/0 power wire and big three

JL Audio and Monster cable interconnects

All connections soldered where possible

about 100ft^3 damplifier or raam mat in car

After setting gains how i was told and doing all adjustments to the system, i am still just not happy. The SQ is great, there is just not enough volume, at any of the levels, for my taste. Is there something i may be missing? Or what would be the next upgrade that may make me happier on the volume level?

I was considering selling off the concept amp and getting a JL 1000/1 to match the other amp, would this give me a noticable upgrade? Even though i loose 200 watts?

Also was wondering about going active with my fronts and running rear off hu, would this give me more volume?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks for any help or suggestions.

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[hatedonmostly 5,000+ posts]

So i recently installed a new system in my car. Here are the specs2008 Honda Civic

Kenwood x994

Jl Audio 450/4

Image Dynamic CTX65CS in front (150 watt rms channel)

Stock in rear (75 watt rms rear channel)

Concept 1200D

2 RE SE10D4's (1200rms to the pair)

1.3 ft^3 sealed box for the pair

1/0 power wire and big three

JL Audio and Monster cable interconnects

All connections soldered where possible

about 100ft^3 damplifier or raam mat in car

After setting gains how i was told and doing all adjustments to the system, i am still just not happy. The SQ is great, there is just not enough volume, at any of the levels, for my taste. Is there something i may be missing? Or what would be the next upgrade that may make me happier on the volume level?

I was considering selling off the concept amp and getting a JL 1000/1 to match the other amp, would this give me a noticable upgrade? Even though i loose 200 watts?

Also was wondering about going active with my fronts and running rear off hu, would this give me more volume?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks for any help or suggestions.

Sigh. No, matching amp brands will not make it louder.

What is lacking loudness?

 

[JarvisB 10+ year member]

maybe you set the gains way too low?

did you set it by ear or by the dmm/voltage calculator?

your set up should be pretty loud.

 

[supermaxx123 10+ year member]

set gains by ear then check with dmm to make sure its not way off. also, im sure you wont lose 200watts changing that concept amp out.

 

[stockwes 10+ year member]

gains set with dmm, 50hz for the concept, 1khz for the jl to recomended voltages for my impeadence... i have a very expensive volt meter that will tell you when any clipping occurs as well, so i know my hu starts clipping at 33 of 35 on the volume scale so that was where i set my gains from... I tryed turning up them a little more but even the slightest touch sent everything into noticable clipping

As for the volume, i had older, far less powerful systems that seemed to be alot louder, all around.... Like everything is balanced but the volume just needs to go up 5 more clicks or so...

 

[Annnarbor84 5,000+ posts]

gains set with dmm, 50hz for the concept, 1khz for the jl to recomended voltages for my impeadence... i have a very expensive volt meter that will tell you when any clipping occurs as well, so i know my hu starts clipping at 33 of 35 on the volume scale so that was where i set my gains from... I tryed turning up them a little more but even the slightest touch sent everything into noticable clipping
As for the volume, i had older, far less powerful systems that seemed to be alot louder, all around.... Like everything is balanced but the volume just needs to go up 5 more clicks or so...

Only thing I trust for setting gains is an o-scope, nothing else. Also where do you have your voltmeter connected??