Max Gain question

[los33 10+ year member]

Im pretty sure everybody (hopefully) knows how to set there gains with atleast a dmm.

I understand we have to set the gains properly, but what if the amp we are using is producing under what the original max watts for the subs optimal level.

Say the sub does 2500 watts daily and the amp only does 1800 watts max at full gain without bass boost on, eq being flat, sub level on HU on highest setting?

If the signal is not clipping is it still ok (all signal clip even at minimal)?

Even tho we risk burning the amp out.

Its pointless to have a sub underpowered by 50% just to not risk the amp..

And yes i know buy a new amp if the other is not good enough.

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[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

You are misunderstanding what the gain is used for. It's not a volume knob. It's not a linear curve of output power with max being maximum output. It's to match the source voltage since there is no standard. In your scenario you set the gain for normal RMS rated output power and that's it. Depending on the source voltage that might be at 1/4 (high input voltage) or cranked all the way (low input voltage). No matter what turning up the gain past this point is not going to give you anymore power than the amp is rated for, it's just going to distort and clip which will destroy either the amp itself or your subwoofer.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

full gain will definitely clip a signal. What tools are you using to make a claim that its not clipping?

 

[los33 10+ year member]

I havent misunderstoid the use of gain.

Your headunit may be producing 2v, 4v, 6v, 8v.

As for my HU its only 2v which when tuning the gain at max gain it produces 1800 watts. Now without an oscope i couldnt say it is clipping, but of course this is with the head unit at the volume level i prefer and not at full 100% volume level.

For optimal power my amp should be producing 70.7 or 70V on a dmm, but i only get 60V. This is under a 2 ohm load so which in turn i am clipping the amp, but the sub is not at full potential.

Am i not correct on how to set the gain or would someone like to correct me.

@jeffdachef i probably am, but im just asking towards a underpowered sub.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

reach that 70 volts via the head unit volume knob, not the sub amp's gain knob. Lower the gain on your mids and highs amp to match your sub's amp.

Most head units can go up to 90-95% volume without distorting the signal.

if you dont have a mids and highs amp, you might need to play around with the EQ, lowering your mids and highs so you can crank it up to appropriate levels on your head unit to match the amp.

What amp do you have? 1800 watts RMS is more likely a rating at 1 ohm, not 2 ohms, you might be severely clipping the signal if your wired for 2 ohms atm.

This is a mistake most newbies make, they are not satisfied with the output, they crank up the gains and think they are getting the power, but all they are getting is distortion which sounds louder to the ear but in turn, smells stinkier on the coils in the long run. Even with a 2 volt head unit, you can achieved the correct input voltage but you have to drive that volume up high or its not gonna work.

 

[los33 10+ year member]

Currently using a crappy planet audio ac5000.1d anarchy series.

My other amp does 2000 watts at 1ohm, but at 2 ohms only 1200 watts which was the reason to switch till i got money for a new amp or a new d2 sub.

Hahaha @jeffdachef i honestly never thought about lowering the gain on the components.. Just had a slow moment.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Another thing is with the DMM method, you have no real way of knowing how much watts your amp actually does so its still a guesswork if your amp doesnt have a birthsheet. Always keep it a little lower just to be safe. I see reviews of your particular amp blowing a lot and i'm pretty sure almost all were user error based but its still the amp manufacturer's fault for bloating the numbers just to make sales. It causes people to have high expections and they try to go for the manufacturer's rated power with the DMM method and by doing that, its forcing the amp to make power that its not physically able to make which in turn, only causes more and more distortion.

 

[los33 10+ year member]

Another thing is with the DMM method, you have no real way of knowing how much watts your amp actually does so its still a guesswork if your amp doesnt have a birthsheet. Always keep it a little lower just to be safe. I see reviews of your particular amp blowing a lot and i'm pretty sure almost all were user error based but its still the amp manufacturer's fault for bloating the numbers just to make sales. It causes people to have high expections and they try to go for the manufacturer's rated power with the DMM method and by doing that, its forcing the amp to make power that its not physically able to make which in turn, only causes more and more distortion.

Any 2ohm amp suggestions as i have only seen 1000$ amps honestly produce 2500 to 3500 watts at 2 ohms

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Well... thats the price tag for 2 ohm power. Look for used jbl GTO 2400.1, kicker zx 2500.1, rockford 2500.1 bdcp, Soundqubed Q3500.1, sundown 3500.1, basically most reliable 4k at 1 ohm amp should make around 2000-2500 at 2 ohms.

I'd say for buying new, this would be the cheapest out of the bunch Amazon.com: Brand New Alpine MRX-M240 X Series D Class Mono 2400 Watt RMS Digital Car Audio Amplifier: Car Electronics

get one used if your in a tighter budget.

 

[tprj82 10+ year member]

where in houston are you? maybe next show i can make we can meet up and we can tune your stuff on my dd-1

also are you set on 1 amp? why not a pair strapped LIKE AQ/SQ 1200 or the list of other quality strappables

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

I havent misunderstoid the use of gain.
Your headunit may be producing 2v, 4v, 6v, 8v.

As for my HU its only 2v which when tuning the gain at max gain it produces 1800 watts. Now without an oscope i couldnt say it is clipping, but of course this is with the head unit at the volume level i prefer and not at full 100% volume level.

For optimal power my amp should be producing 70.7 or 70V on a dmm, but i only get 60V. This is under a 2 ohm load so which in turn i am clipping the amp, but the sub is not at full potential.

Am i not correct on how to set the gain or would someone like to correct me.

@jeffdachef i probably am, but im just asking towards a underpowered sub.

That's because your amplifier can't produce 2500w, plain and simple. So 70V of output power is near impossible. You're probably already severely clipping at 60V as I doubt it can even produce 1800w.

 

[los33 10+ year member]

That's because your amplifier can't produce 2500w, plain and simple. So 70V of output power is near impossible. You're probably already severely clipping at 60V as I doubt it can even produce 1800w.

You seem to not even be bothered to read anything....

I know my amp cant do the said voltage which is why i started this thread.

Well... thats the price tag for 2 ohm power. Look for used jbl GTO 2400.1, kicker zx 2500.1, rockford 2500.1 bdcp, Soundqubed Q3500.1, sundown 3500.1, basically most reliable 4k at 1 ohm amp should make around 2000-2500 at 2 ohms.
I'd say for buying new, this would be the cheapest out of the bunch Amazon.com: Brand New Alpine MRX-M240 X Series D Class Mono 2400 Watt RMS Digital Car Audio Amplifier: Car Electronics

get one used if your in a tighter budget.

I might just wait till i purchase the new subs i want and just bang the **** out of this sub till it dies..

Im going to buy the DB Drive WDX 12' 20k D1.4ohms. Atleast with this i can do an easy 3500 watts per sub which these were made for spl and really cause some damage to my truck //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif.

where in houston are you? maybe next show i can make we can meet up and we can tune your stuff on my dd-1
also are you set on 1 amp? why not a pair strapped LIKE AQ/SQ 1200 or the list of other quality strappables

Im around 249 & 1960 in spring/tomball/klein. I been working with Paul Galanos from Team Wobbly Woofers & A man i know as kirk who is known for his box building at most car audio competition.

Theres going to be a competition at dip-tex on veterans memorial june 13th ill be there.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

You seem to not even be bothered to read anything....
I know my amp cant do the said voltage which is why i started this thread.

You're right buddy. Good luck.