Messing with amp settings..

[THXdts 10+ year member]

If you are setting your lp or hp or whatever, most amps have a circle dial thing, or at least mine does. Say for the lp the one side of the dial is 20 hz and the other side is 150 hz, and you want to set it to say 80 hz. How the hell are you supposed to know where 80 hz is? Just guess? Also, I set my gain on my amp with my DMM, but I think the amp has alot more to give..so how can I turn it up just before it starts to clip...but not clipping? Because I don't want it to clip..

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[Rich B 5,000+ posts]

If your comps up front are high passed (usually in the 80-100hz range), adjust the bass XO to achieve the best blend with the comps, where you cant localize the bass notes as coming from the rear of your vehicle.

That will probably end up being lower in frequency than you think (below the 80hz you're asking about), as cars tend to have a bump in response in the 50-80hz range, and you wont want to excite that too much because it can muddy up the bass.

Trust your ears!

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

Or burn some test tones on a CD and use that.....

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

how do you use the test tones? i always go by ear...

 

[THXdts 10+ year member]

That didn't answer any of my questions..I was wondering how I can turn my amp up more without it clipping.

 

[2002XLT 5,000+ posts]

That didn't answer any of my questions..I was wondering how I can turn my amp up more without it clipping.

Well how did you set it with your DMM, if you set it correctly, then you cant...

Why exactly do you "think that your amp has more to give"?

 

[Rich B 5,000+ posts]

That didn't answer any of my questions..I was wondering how I can turn my amp up more without it clipping.

You already used a DMM, right?

One thing no one considers in this era of cheap watts is it takes subs with lower efficiency to handle all those watts.

Huge 40 lb magnets, double spiders, 4" voicecoils, and cones as stiff as concrete all take their toll on efficiency.

The end result is a 2000w sub system thats hardly any louder than a 600w system would have been back in the old school days.

If you're sure your DMM readings were accurate, thats probably all she's got.

There is one way you might get more volume, and that would be if your amp came with a birthsheet that says its capable of far more output than rated you could set the gains for that output.

That would be your only hope of more volume without clipping.

 

[kross 10+ year member]

You can use -3db, -6db, or even -10db test tones.

 

[THXdts 10+ year member]

Can I put a test tone in, and turn the gain up until I hear it clipping..then back it down? Can you hear it clipping?

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

how do you use the test tones? i always go by ear...

this might help the OP also...

 

[SRim23 5,000+ posts]

i think that a little common sense and some simple math might answer your first question. 150-20=130 halfway between 130 would be 65, 65+20=85. so the center of the dial is 85.

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

purchase an oscilloscope it is the only true way to tell if your amplifier is not clipping or not

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

where and how much...?^^

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

Dials on amps are never very accurate. You asked how to set the xovers, so I suggested burning some test tones. If you want to HP at 80Hz, burn an 80Hz tone and play it and dial in the xover so it sounds the loudest. I also then play a 60Hz and 100Hz to make sure it's set right.

I personally set comp/coax gains by ear. Set HU at max volume you will listen at, usually several clicks down from full volume and play some music and slowly turn up the gain until you hear distortion, then back it down a little. Play a variety of music with vocals, guitars, etc... and listen for distortion. If none then you're set...

 

[johnson 10+ year member]

That didn't answer any of my questions..I was wondering how I can turn my amp up more without it clipping.

Use a oscope.

As for setting the crossover, use your ear. There is no number set in stone that will let your speakers blend the best with your subwoofer.