Sub bottoming out noise

[IonRL205 10+ year member]

That is why I set my SSF to 32HZ to make sure it wasn't bottoming out, but I suppose if it is above the tuning frequency it would be very unlikely it is bottoming out. Plus it is only happening at super high wattage.
I set the gains with a dmm, with my equalizer at 15db, at 3000 watts, so I would not go over. I also have my head unit at +2 bass boost, (also was set at +2 when I was tuning it.) I also had the volume on my head unit at 40 which is below it's distortion level. When I hear that popping sound, the volume is around 37 or 38 with the bass boost at +2, with the equalizer around 10db maybe less.

Have you upgraded your electrical any?

 

[joselr3668 10+ year member]

I agree could be a lack of electrical support causing issues with your amp. Could be a leak in the box or speaker mounting. I don't want to get into a tuning thread but I think it could also be the way you tuned ,in other words I have never tuned a system with anything ie. eq. or radio with a + reading always tuned at 0 to try and get the cleanest signal without boosting frequency. I have had car were when you tune at +anything it adds to distortion. and then you have the issue if you did give the subs allot of distortion you might have messed up a coil.

 

[Patthehat033 10+ year member]

Have you upgraded your electrical any?

Yes, a 200 amp mechman alternator, the big 3 done in CCA 1/0 Knu, 1/0 all the way to the back, 2 100 AH Alpha Cells in the trunk wired with 1/0, 1/0 going to the amp, and 8 gauge going to the subwoofer.

Although my battery in the front of my car is crap, I need to upgrade that. Even with the crap battery in the front, the car only starts dimming at about 3000 watts. Of course I only get to play it there for a second or 2 because of the distortion. I am trying to avoid ruining my sub.

 

[Patthehat033 10+ year member]

Could a low voltage problem cause clipping from my amp, if it has the potential to put out the wattage it just isn't seeing the right voltage for it?

 

[IonRL205 10+ year member]

Could a low voltage problem cause clipping from my amp, if it has the potential to put out the wattage it just isn't seeing the right voltage for it?

Yes

 

[Patthehat033 10+ year member]

Yes

That might be my problem. I will do a voltage test tomorrow and get back to you.

 

[Better-Action 10+ year member]

I think your clipping. You said your bass boost on the head unit is on?

 

[sbarber82 10+ year member]

set your gains with a DD1 if possible, if not re set your gains with your dmm with your eq on flat and your sub at 0 with no bass boost from the H/U or amp and your volume at the highest you listen to it at (I'm at 30/40 on volume). Use a test tone that is 30-35hz when setting the gains. Set your SSF at 28hz. Most bass boost is a 45hz boost and is a culprit to clipping in my opinion, just don't use it. Once your all set turn it up to your max volume you decided on and you can increase the subwoofer level (not bass boost) which increases the output signal from the H/U to the amp if you need more bass at times. Do not use the bass boost

 

[Better-Action 10+ year member]

Don't use a 30hz tone to set with a dmm. Try 50hz.

 

[JoeK 10+ year member]

Playing with the trunk open.... the woofer unloads big time when you do that

 

[sbarber82 10+ year member]

Yea use a 50hz tone, my bad I was still had dd1 on the mind..

 

[ancorp 10+ year member]

You bottom out when you play lower than your tuning frequency, not above it.

Not true, there can be quite a bit of excursion above tuning frequency also. You can bottom out with a box too big, suspension too soft, or too much power, above tuning frequency no problem.

 

[Kastlez_ 10+ year member]

Turn the bass boost from +2 back to zero. Set gains with 50hz tone while using the dmm method.