Smart HUs

[XHiFiX 10+ year member]

I think HU's should have a feature like a clipping indicator that can show you when the output signal exceeds its max undistorted level. That way, people would know when to turn down the volume and it would also help when setting gains on amps. Just a thought. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/idea.gif.5acb6a39a9b92425414c316dda202bad.gif

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[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

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you could just set your gains properly using a DMM and set the amp to where it isn't exceeding its rated capabilities and then don't grossly exceed whatever volume level at which that output was attained! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[XHiFiX 10+ year member]

But with a DMM you have to assume the makers' power ratings are spot on which usually isn't the case. I've always used the listening method and test tones for setting gains. I just thought it would be cool to have some "visual confirmation" since not all people have discriminating ears. I know a few amps already have LED clipping indicators, so I was thinking it would be a convenient feature on HUs too. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif Oh well.

 

[hoss 5,000+ posts]

I think HU's should have a feature like a clipping indicator that can show you when the output signal exceeds its max undistorted level. That way, people would know when to turn down the volume and it would also help when setting gains on amps. Just a thought. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/idea.gif.5acb6a39a9b92425414c316dda202bad.gif

its a good idea, but why would a manufacturer want to advertise that you cant use all of its "usable" abilities. it would be kind of like buying a sports car that they say is capable of going 150 mph, but there was a warning light that came on when you got into an unsafe speed range. i couldnt see why they would want to point out that you cant turn the volume all the way up, with the bass all the way up.

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you could just set your gains properly using a DMM and set the amp to where it isn't exceeding its rated capabilities and then don't grossly exceed whatever volume level at which that output was attained! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

i believe he is talking about the HU clipping, not the amp itself clipping, which would be of use when setting the gain on the amp. i can see where it would be a useful tool during the set up of a system, but not something that i would pay extra for.

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

But with a DMM you have to assume the makers' power ratings are spot on which usually isn't the case.

Actually - it is the knowing that those ratings normally aren't spot-on that is helpful (at least to me)

You've just got to be aware of whether the amp or amps that you are using are of the variety that has a tendency to be over-rated to a certain degree like most budget amps (like Profile's gear, for instance) or something that has the ability to exceed the given ratings (like my Diamond monoblock for example) and then set your gains accordingly.

A friend of mine just bought himself some CompVRs and a Profile amp from Crutchfield. The amp in question has a given rating of 480w X 1 @ 4 Ohm mono bridged. Well - not believing that the Profile amp will ever actually output that level of power I set the gains for an output of 350w which is much more realistic. Thus far he's not run into any clipping issues *knock on wood*

I've always used the listening method and test tones for setting gains.

I generally did the same myself simply because until joining this forum I was unaware of the DMM method in the first place. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

On comparing the two methods it would seem that my ears, thankfully, are pretty close to the results I come up with using the multimeter.

I just thought it would be cool to have some "visual confirmation" since not all people have discriminating ears.

I concur ~ but I don't think it's likely to happen...

I know a few amps already have LED clipping indicators, so I was thinking it would be a convenient feature on HUs too. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Sadly there aren't as many amps out there with that feature - it would be nice to have it included on all amps and I can see where having it on a HU would be useful now that I think about it a bit more...

The only amp I have ever owned that had clipping indicators was an older SX-series Orion.