New to the game and I fell in the rabbits hole..

[Evil Monkey36]

Hey everyone! Hope to learn lots, been trying my hardest to research and learn what I can for myself. I am currently driving a 2006 Sierra Southern Comfort with 2 full sets of Kappa 60CSX Components being amped by a Sony GS4. My bass is being supplied by 2 lovely alpine swt-10s4 10"s on a beautiful Phoenix Gold RX 1000.1 in a ported tbox(12g tinned ofc inside and outside box). Both amps are on Stinger 4g Tinned OFC kits all being powered by a Brand X 250A Alternator and a yellow top. BIG 3 0G is done. I would eventually like to add silicone baffles to all 4 6.5s and a much needed 2nd battery. Super new to this and I researched before I invested as best I could. Should have gone XS or lithium even before getting an Optima. Should of gone left when I went right, ya know? Unfortunately, I can't find any local shops with an O scope so I set everything using ohms law and guides from YouTube with a volt meter. The 4 channel i set perfect, im just frustrated with my Phoenix Gold amp and alpines. I used my trusty volt meter and ohms law and they sound a hair under powered but id rather not take them to clip city so im just rolling with it. Have a great day Peeps!

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[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

the multi-meter method is just a general area, not really accurate in any sense at all. Especially if you use some random test tone on the internet which is most likely 0 db while most music is recorded from -15db(oldies, classical, blues) to -10 db(pop, rock, old school hip hop and r&b) to -5(dubstep, edm, rap, trap, hip hop). Meaning you are no where near proper gain settings leaving way too much on the table. Best solution is to go by voltage drops and heat of the coils/cone and do mini stress tests until you see the limit of your system, keep your noise keen any sort of smell just stop the system, you wont ever blow your subs as long as you are taking things slow and monitoring them.

 

[Dafaseles]

I know it's just one more thing to buy, but you can find o scopes of all prices on Amazon. $30 all the way up to $400. If you buy a decent one, you'll have it for whenever you want to upgrade the amps, or your friend down the street needs to set his gains, or whatever

 

[Evil Monkey36]

the multi-meter method is just a general area, not really accurate in any sense at all. Especially if you use some random test tone on the internet which is most likely 0 db while most music is recorded from -15db(oldies, classical, blues) to -10 db(pop, rock, old school hip hop and r&b) to -5(dubstep, edm, rap, trap, hip hop). Meaning you are no where near proper gain settings leaving way too much on the table. Best solution is to go by voltage drops and heat of the coils/cone and do mini stress tests until you see the limit of your system, keep your noise keen any sort of smell just stop the system, you wont ever blow your subs as long as you are taking things slow and monitoring them.

I got a pretty good ear and can give it a shot doing it by ear but what gets me is these dust caps are like super conductors of heat. I mean it only takes a very little heat from the voice coil to spread warmth through the whole cap/cone. Without stinking too. Damn things make me nervous. The alpines are shallow mounts but rated at 350rms a piece and my amp is capable of 710 watts at 2 ohms by the birth sheet. Like I said they can pound when adjusting by ear but they get warm and so does the amp. I just figured that's because everythings about to its limits. I guess I should state the PG amp is an A/B amp so I know it will draw more power naturally and the alpines are shallow mounts so of course they will get warm. Electrical is solid as can be so there's that. Lowest ill drop is 14.2v if memory serves.

 

[tommydh 10+ year member]

SMD DD1 is easier to use than an O scope. Don't forget to make sure your not sending a distorted signal to the amp.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

I got a pretty good ear and can give it a shot doing it by ear but what gets me is these dust caps are like super conductors of heat. I mean it only takes a very little heat from the voice coil to spread warmth through the whole cap/cone. Without stinking too. Damn things make me nervous. The alpines are shallow mounts but rated at 350rms a piece and my amp is capable of 710 watts at 2 ohms by the birth sheet. Like I said they can pound when adjusting by ear but they get warm and so does the amp. I just figured that's because everythings about to its limits. I guess I should state the PG amp is an A/B amp so I know it will draw more power naturally and the alpines are shallow mounts so of course they will get warm. Electrical is solid as can be so there's that. Lowest ill drop is 14.2v if memory serves.

As long as its not smelling after 5 to 10 minute stress tests you'll be fine nose is important. Your A/B amp will be hotter than class D amps

 

[Evil Monkey36]

I forgot to mention I am using a Sony 920bt double din. Never found out when it stops sending a clean signal. I popped a 6 1/2 speaker and a 1 inch tweeter fooling around on 46ish of 50 on my HU volume. Since Kappa 60s Components are so expensive I stopped going past 40 on my HU after replacing them. I do remember that an amp will only amplify a dirty signal if you go past a HUs ability to send a clean signal. So i am putting my best foot forward in self education. WITH EVERYTHING BEEN SAID BY EVERYONE I feel so much better approaching my settings now because I already felt like they were underpowered already. Till I get a DD1 or an oscope its back to turning knobs fellows. Thank you guys for the warm introduction and great help!

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

I forgot to mention I am using a Sony 920bt double din. Never found out when it stops sending a clean signal. I popped a 6 1/2 speaker and a 1 inch tweeter fooling around on 46ish of 50 on my HU volume. Since Kappa 60s Components are so expensive I stopped going past 40 on my HU after replacing them. I do remember that an amp will only amplify a dirty signal if you go past a HUs ability to send a clean signal. So i am putting my best foot forward in self education. WITH EVERYTHING BEEN SAID BY EVERYONE I feel so much better approaching my settings now because I already felt like they were underpowered already. Till I get a DD1 or an oscope its back to turning knobs fellows. Thank you guys for the warm introduction and great help!

setting gains for mids and highs are different from bass. You dont really go by the multi meter method, you actually listen for harshness in the frequency response, aka when it starts sounding like crap, you are pretty much approaching clipping for your mids and highs. Assuming you have a good tune, the music should sound pleasing for the most part until you get past a certain threshold.

 

[Firewalker]

Buying a DD1 is expensive. You can do it other ways as others have explained.