Soundqubed and Kicker ... Amp Clipping?

[surfkicker]

Hello guys,

My friend "donated" me an amp (Kicker DX1000.1) he thought was broken (he was stupid and later realized that he had blown his speakers by getting them stuck against a backpack...), and I ran a cheapo Kenwood 430w 4ohm sub on it for about a year.

Recently, I decided I needed an upgrade and purchased a Soundqubed Hds312 4ohm and also built a 2.2sqft box for it. Well, I knew I was taking a slight risk (the RMS of the Soundqubed is 1200w with a 2400 peak, while the amp is only a 1000w) but decided what the hell, why not?

Previously on my Kenwood, if I turned it up too high, it would distort (clip maybe?) and go into sub protection mode. Now, the same the happens with the Soundqubed, only it is far more prominent and annoying. I had to turn my gain down around a third.

So my question is, what am I doing wrong? The Soundqubed is more powerful and can get ridiculously loud, but it clips on such levels. I am addicted, lol ... plz help.

Also, before it's asked, I am running 2-gauge wire to amp, and 10-gauge from amp to sub.

Sorry for long read, and thanks.

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[The_Quiet_One 10+ year member]

Out of curiousity what type of box were you using with the kenwood? What type of vehicle? What type of settings do you have set on the HU? Any bass boost or hiked up EQ? What's your box's tuning frequency?

As far as your gain are you just taking a guess where it needs to be? If so at the very least get it in the ball park with the DMM method, If you know anyone close by with an oscope or DD-1 that would be best. Tentatively you may not just have enough subs/power to satisfy your newly awakened basshead.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

custom ported box designed specifically for the subs or prebuilt crap?

 

[garychoffmann 10+ year member]

Sub protect... severely clipping, lacking sufficient power or poor ground. Your gain does not equal power output, it is to match head unit voltage to the amp. If you have a d4 sub you dropped the ohm load which would make the prior problems more prevalent

 

[surfkicker]

Thanks for replying. The Kenwood had some pre-built crap. My car is a 1982 BMW E21 320i. I have the basic powerful setting on me HU, nothing bass boosted or anything. My box is tuned to 35Hz.

I am taking a guess to where it needs to be, by putting it right below the point where it goes into sub protect mode. I shall look into the DMM deal. And I wanna stick with this, because it's already shaking the car apart, lol. I like clean bass more than noise ... but I also like to go full-retard with the bass sometimes.

 

---------- Post added at 08:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:52 AM ----------

 

Custom ported box designed for the sub. Built it the day it arrived, lol. Its actually good quality.

 

[surfkicker]

So I've learned, regarding the gain. It's a DVC 4-ohm, so basically I have no choice but to wire to 2-ohm. And, how would I be lacking sufficient power? What do you mean about that? Also, what could be causing the clipping? Thanks for the help.

 

[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

they're saying that your amp cant put out more power than that sub can handle. you're trying to get it to be louder by clipping the amp past where it can perform.

just to avoid confusion; gain has to do with input signal and output signal

ohms, and wiring to a specific load is referring to impedence, two different things here

 

[surfkicker]

OK, thank you. I do understand. So to sum it up, I'm just severely underpowering my subwoofer, and that power I'm getting is from clipping?

 

[big scott]

first thing you need to do is get a dmm and set that amp right. if you do that im sure you will be good. as long as the box is right and the amp is getting proper voltage.

 

[garychoffmann 10+ year member]

By insufficient power I mean your car and your battery. You have a 70 amp alternator. When your car is drawing over 70 amps it relies solely on the battery. As the battery discharges voltage drops. When the amp senses a dangerous condition it protects. If your wiring and ground is good you are probably dropping voltage

 

[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

By insufficient power I mean your car and your battery. You have a 70 amp alternator. When your car is drawing over 70 amps it relies solely on the battery. As the battery discharges voltage drops. When the amp senses a dangerous condition it protects. If your wiring and ground is good you are probably dropping voltage

also a huge factor, i suggest measuring your voltage drop. clipping makes it worse, so i'd suggest setting that properly first with an oscope if you can.

 

[surfkicker]

How did you find that out? Also, how should I check voltage drop?

 

[garychoffmann 10+ year member]

How did you find that out? Also, how should I check voltage drop?

Find what out?

 

[surfkicker]

What amp my alternator was running at. Honestly the idea that my car couldn't supply the power never crossed my mind. My family has one new car, and I might try hooking it up in there, lol.

 

[surfkicker]

Hey, I know this thread should go away, but I do have one final development in the deal. So I put the set up in my truck and played some music "King Kong in the Trunk" and it hit hard but didn't go into protect mode, even though I turned up the gain. It was like shaking the windows. But then I played another song, this time from my ipod. I had to turn the gain way down again, losing like 50% of my power. What gives? and sorry for the annoying begger-questions.