Question about setting gains

[Mitch86 5,000+ posts]

Ok, I have always set gains by ear and never had a problem with blowing a sub. (not since I learned what the gain knob is actually for anyway) //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif But I currently have a ****** headunit that only has 1 set most likely low voltage RCAs and I have to crank the gain all the way to get to where I think it should be. I dont hear any audible clipping. My question is, is it possible to have such a shitty HU that the gains NEED to be maxed out to get to the proper level? In other words, even if I were using the DMM method, could it be possible I need to max the gains to reach where it needs to be?

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[fasfocus00 5,000+ posts]

yes, if your head unit only puts out 2V than most likely your amp will have it's gain at the highest setting.

 

[Mitch86 5,000+ posts]

yes, if your head unit only puts out 2V than most likely your amp will have it's gain at the highest setting.

Thanks. Most likely 2v, as the headunit is an old old Pioneer that I had laying around. Guess I could use the DMM method to make sure if I can find mine. But as I said I felt that it was at the correct level when maxed out because I get no audible distortion.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

If you have to ask this question then you still don't know what the gain knob is for....

 

[Mitch86 5,000+ posts]

If you have to ask this question then you still don't know what the gain knob is for....

To match the output voltage of your headunit. But I had no idea if it were possible to have to max the gain out to match the headunit. I have never used such a shitty headunit. Was a simple question that had nothing to do with my knowledge of what the gain knob does really... I have always read never to max out the gain. But apparently in some cases it is needed.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

To match the output voltage of your headunit. But I had no idea if it were possible to have to max the gain out to match the headunit. I have never used such a shitty headunit. Was a simple question that had nothing to do with my knowledge of what the gain knob does really... I have always read never to max out the gain. But apparently in some cases it is needed.

No worries bro, I was just screwing with you //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[sacsking916 5,000+ posts]

Noob question going along with amp settings...

How do u determine what the frequencies should be at?

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

Noob question going along with amp settings...
How do u determine what the frequencies should be at?

I assume your talking about things like sub-sonic and low pass filters correct? Search around you'll find plenty of topics but generally sub-sonic is like 10Hz below your box tuning and low pass is to taste. I prefer to keep mine a bit higher (100-120Hz) but a lot of other people will tell you closer to 80Hz.

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

80Hz is sort of the universal setting for most subs. however, if youre lacking some mid bass you may find yourself turning it up more towards 100 or even 115. some subs sound like total garbage if you turn it up too high though..

 

[T.I.K. 10+ year member]

80Hz is sort of the universal setting for most subs. however, if youre lacking some mid bass you may find yourself turning it up more towards 100 or even 115. some subs sound like total garbage if you turn it up too high though..

I don't understand why that is, Whenever I listen to "Teach Me How to Dougie", those first few midbass notes sound like ass.

 

[Mitch86 5,000+ posts]

No worries bro, I was just screwing with you //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

ah, I saw it coming anyway. It was a noobish question. but it was easier than finding a DMM and checking for myself //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif