Low output 2x 12s

[TOG420]

2004 TSX
2 x 12 Punch P3
Hifonics 3016.1 3000w amp
Skar ported box
Stock head unit with Bluetooth

Loudest these get is 110db.
I've seen a single 12 do much louder.
3/4 gain wired @ 1ohm

No electrical upgrades besides additional power and ground wires.

Any ideas where to start?

Click to read more...

 

[mahc 10+ year member]

Sounds to me like a low signal input.

 

[TOG420]

The stock radio is pretty much broken but I found a Bluetooth adapter that plugs in. Could this be the issue? There's a very slim selection of radios for this year

 

[mahc 10+ year member]

The stock radio is pretty much broken but I found a Bluetooth adapter that plugs in. Could this be the issue? There's a very slim selection of radios for this year

You don't have to install head units in the dash anymore. Find one that can be controled with your phone or a tablet and put it in the trunk or under the seat.

 

[shredder1 10+ year member]

Loudest these get is 110db.


Any ideas where to start?

What type of meter are you using to measure decibels?

 

[AnthonyO 10+ year member]

3/4 gain at 1ohm. That has got to be some serious clippage. Gain is not a volume knob.

 

[mahc 10+ year member]

3/4 gain at 1ohm. That has got to be some serious clippage. Gain is not a volume knob.

Bad source signal for sure.

 

[TOG420]

What type of meter are you using to measure decibels?

Extech SL510
And
Iphone

They were 107 and 110 consistently.
I figured the iPhone was generic so I got the meter from a friend. Only read three decibels higher

 

[TOG420]

3/4 gain at 1ohm. That has got to be some serious clippage. Gain is not a volume knob.

Never clipped

 

[shredder1 10+ year member]

Extech SL510
And
Iphone

They were 107 and 110 consistently.
I figured the iPhone was generic so I got the meter from a friend. Only read three decibels higher

I believe that meter is useless for car audio, a useful tool for an Osha inspection in the workplace to determine compliance and hearing protection levels. Use better tools and expect like 138db+ min from your setup minimum imo.

Extech SL510

I MIGHT have hit 128db with my last setup using a meter like that.

But my competitions yielded higher results and Termlab/Magnum is brutal...

Using a phone or osha meter is way off base, Even a mini meter is a HUGE improvement accuracy wise.

Post results once measurements are legit

 

[TOG420]

Seems like low signal input is a possibility. What does that mean tho?

 

[Deiimos]

And make sure it’s on the right settings. I forget the exact setting, but a lot of these style SPL meters have a filter for different frequency testing. You want C weighted setting if I recall, and make sure you are playing bass in the meters range, looks like 31.5 HZ to 8KHZ is what that one will measure.

I have an old Radio Shack SPL meter, goes up to like 130 DB and my single 15” will peg it in the corner with bass testing. I’m not saying my 15 is crazy loud, it’s not, rather it is fairly easy to hit the 130 DB mark in a car. My old Kicker CVR12’s could easily peg it as well.

Haven’t messed with a phone APP SPL meter in over a decade, they did not work right with the phone microphone and such so gave up on those a long time ago.

Other than that, as was stated could be low input signal, hard to say without going over it / measuring, but a pair of P3 12’s should be able to get fairly loud.