Subs aren't hitting like they should... Please Help

[Beatin' 10+ year member]

Any advice? I'm confused as to what I should do? I don't have an oscope available to me. I know they should be able to hit harder, I'm just trying to figure out what I should do. I've thought about using a -3db tuning tone. And also tuning with the subs plugged in. When I originally tuned with my 50hz tone, I had my hu hpf set but sound to still went out to the door speakers... One I don't think that's normal and two could it have affected the tuning?

set the amp gain UNLOADED with a DMM, that's digital multimeter. When a load is presented afterward, the resistance of that load will determine how much amperage will be put out at that target voltage, which then will result in wattage.

Bass in music rarely sees 0db, so most people use -3 or -6db to set gains. I use 0db because I like the reference point it gives me due to the fact that all my music is bass boosted through Audacity.

Food for thought, if you set gains with 0db tone, and the song you play doesn't exceed -6db, you're only getting quarter power. So 1000watts is actually 250watts. Therefore, you have to turn up the volume on the HU some more to get closer to 1000watts.

If you set gains with a -3db tone for 1000watts, now that -6db tone in that song is giving you 500watts.

 

[Spooney 10+ year member]

The high pass filter on your headunit is not a sonic brick wall . Some of that 50 hz tone is going to make it to your speakers whether you like it or not unless that filter has a really steep slope. I wouldn't be concerned that some of the tone is making it through to your interior speakers unless it is distorting them badly. Like was mentioned before that test tone is much higher in signal than your music. I have always set my gains by ear. I know it doesnt work for everyone but it has served me well for the last 18 years.

 

[Biggiesmails72]

Yep AND turn your SW level to 0!!!!! Not max

Really? I thought you were supposed to max it out?

 

[marcos65]

Yep AND turn your SW level to 0!!!!! Not max

I thought that on Kenwoods and Alpines you have to max it out to get the full RCA voltage?

 

[bigaudiofanatic 10+ year member]

I have always set mine with everything flat no bass boost no sub level up nothing. Even on all kenwood and alpine I've used and installed.

 

[heimsothe]

Thanks guys, so I should continue to tune without my subs plugged in? I'll use a -3db tone at 60hz. Hopefully this will help it. If I'm correct, my 8 band eq should be flat when I time the amp?

 

[heimsothe]

Tune the amp is what I meant, not time. Sorry on my phone

 

[bigaudiofanatic 10+ year member]

Everything flat and sub plugged in

 

[fatboytyler]

Really? I thought you were supposed to max it out?

I too am curious on this. I know on my JVC when the sub level is at 0/8 (There is no negative) there is absolutely no power going to the amp what so ever.

EDIT: By power I mean audio signal via the RCAs

 

[heimsothe]

Everything flat and sub plugged in

Why sub plugged in? Some people are saying tune amp loaded and some say unloaded

 

[nismos14 5,000+ posts]

Set everything on the hu to 0 also, not maxed out.

 

[bigaudiofanatic 10+ year member]

Why sub plugged in? Some people are saying tune amp loaded and some say unloaded

Because otherwise you will not be tuning g properly. The readout with a dmm needs to be under load hence ohms which is why you want the sub conected.

 

[nismos14 5,000+ posts]

Because otherwise you will not be tuning g properly. The readout with a dmm needs to be under load hence ohms which is why you want the sub conected.

Huh

 

[bigaudiofanatic 10+ year member]

Huh

He needs to have a load on the amp to show correct running with a DMM

 

[heimsothe]

I'll try tuning with the load of the subs present, eq flat, and a -3db 60hz tone