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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Alrojoca" data-source="post: 8074285" data-attributes="member: 638714">This info is great and it should help You tooReload Thread: good info for amp settingsThread ToolsSearch Thread1 Week Ago <a href="http:////forums/usertag.php?do=list&amp;action=hash&amp;hash=1" target="_blank">#1</a>  Rockguy475Senior VIP MemberJoin DateJan 2006LocationhoustonPosts492Post Thanks / LikeMentioned0 Post(s)good info for amp settingstook a little bit of searching to find this....Originally Posted by JmacAmplifier Setting TutorialOutline:Setting up an amplifier can be a very confusing and intimidating process for newbies. I created this to help guide those people through the process in what I consider to be a simple and easy way.Preparation:Things you should do and will need:1) Read the owner’s manual(s)2) Familiarize yourself with your equipment3) Determine the final load of your speaker(s)/sub(s)4) A calculator5) A digital multimeter6) A test tone CD7) A print-out of this guide8) A pen or pencil9) A notepadNote: All tests should be done with the engine running while using the calculation methods, at least for the part where you’re measuring.Step 1: Setting up your head unit1) Turn off all filters (low-pass and high-pass)2) Set your EQ settings to 0 (i.e. Bass, Treble, Mid)3) Turn off loudness4) If you won’t be using the head unit’s internal amp, turn it off (if possible)Step 2: Choosing the test tones you’ll useTones can be found here: Test TonesI’ve provided 4 different sets of tones and I’ll give a brief description of why one would use that particular set of tones.0 dB:Pros – No chance of clipping, very small chance of damaging equipmentCons – Most music won’t reach 0 dB unless you’re running full range speakers, so you probably won’t get full performance-3 dB:Pros – Small chance of clipping with music in subs, small chance of damaging equipment, better performance than 0 dBCons – Small amount of clipping on peaks with some music (speakers)-6 dB:Pros – Better performance than -3 dB and 0 dBCons – User must be able to detect stress in equipment to prevent damage, moderate amount of clipping with some music (speakers), small amount of clipping with some music (subs)-10 dB:Not recommended for amateursAs implied in the above descriptions, the choice of music you listen to may influence the tones you use as well. With pretty much all genres, I found that the mids had peaks above -1 dB, so I wouldn’t recommend that newbies use anything higher than -3 dB for setting the speaker amplifier. However, bass (20 Hz - 80 Hz), is a completely different story. I’ve analyzed a few dozen different songs from a variety of genres with Adobe Audition and here are some briefs descriptions.Rap/Hip-Hop/Pop – Most of the songs in these genres had peaks in the -9 dB to -3 dB range. I recommend using 0 dB or -3 dB tones if you primarily listen to these genres.Rock/Metal/Jazz/Classical – Most of the songs in this genre had peaks in the -12 to -6 dB range. I recommend using 0 dB, -3 dB, or -6 dB tones if you primarily listen to these genres.After choosing the tones, download them and burn them to a CD.Step 3: Setting up your speakersIf using the head unit’s internal amplifier:Method 1: By ear1) Using music you’re familiar with, turn up the volume until you begin to notice distortion or you achieve the desired volume (whichever comes first)2) Write down the volume3) Change music to a bass heavy track and set to repeat (if your HU has no HPF, disregard this and the following)4) Turn on the high-pass filter and set to the highest frequency5) Turn up the volume to the volume written in Step 26) Turn down the HPF frequency until you begin to notice audible distortion7) Use the lowest HPF frequency with no distortion8) Turn the volume down to 0 and turn off head unitMethod 2: Calculation1) Open your owner’s manuals and find the RMS power output of your head unit’s internal amplifier and the rated RMS input for your speakers. Write down both and use the lower of the two in the next step.2) Calculate the desired voltage using the formula: Voltage = SQRT(Power*Resistance)3) Write down the desired voltage4) Set the volume to 0 and turn off the head unit5) Unhook one of the speakers6) Attach the leads of the multimeter to the speaker wires (do not ground speaker wires or leads)7) Set multimeter to measure AC voltage8) Turn on the head unit9) Adjust the balance and fade to only the speaker that is unhooked (i.e. If using front right speaker, balance to the right and fade to the front)10) Insert the test tone CD11) Fast forward to the 1000 Hz track and set to repeat track12) Turn volume up until you achieve the desired voltage13) Write down the volume14) Turn the volume down to 0 and shut the head unit off15) Unhook the leads from the speaker wires16) Hook the speaker back up and remount17) Turn the head unit back on (if your HU has no HPF, disregard this and the following)18) Insert a bass heavy track and set to repeat19) Turn on the high-pass filter and set to the highest frequency20) Turn up the volume to the volume written in Step 1321) Turn down the HPF frequency until you begin to notice audible distortion22) Use the lowest HPF frequency with no distortion23) Turn the volume down to 0 and turn off head unit24) In the future, do not exceed the volume written in step 13If using dedicated speaker amplifier:Method 1: By ear1) Turn the gain/sensitivity all the way down (counter-clockwise)2) Turn head unit on3) Insert music you’re familiar with4) Turn volume up to maximum volume you will normally use or 80% of maximum volume5) Turn the gain up until you reach the desired volume or you notice audible distortion6) Turn the volume down7) Turn the high-pass filter on. If your HU and amp both have HPFs, use the one with the most flexibility (continuously variable &gt; selectable &gt; fixed) (if your head unit and amplifier have no HPF, disregard this and the following)8) Turn the HPF up to the highest frequency9) Insert a bass heavy track and set to repeat10) Turn the volume up to the volume written in Step 911) Turn down the HPF frequency until you begin to notice audible distortion12) Use the lowest frequency with no audible distortion13) Turn the volume down to 0 and turn off the head unitMethod 2: Calculation1) Open your owner’s manuals and find the RMS power output of your amplifier and the rated RMS input of your speakers. Write down both and use the lower of the two in the next step.2) Calculate the desired voltage using the formula: Voltage = SQRT(Power*Resistance)3) Write down the desired voltage4) Turn the gain/sensitivity all the way down (counter-clockwise)5) Unhook all speakers from the amplifier (unhook at the amplifier, not at the speakers)6) Insert leads of multimeter into one of the channels and tighten slightly7) Set multimeter to measure AC voltage8) Turn head unit on9) Insert test tone CD10) Set track to 1000 Hz and set to repeat11) Turn volume up to maximum volume you will normally use or 80% of maximum volume12) Write down the volume13) Slowly turn the gain up until you reach the desired voltage14) Turn the volume down to 0 and turn off head unit15) Remove multimeter leads from the amplifier16) Hook speakers back up to the amplifier17) Turn head unit on (if your head unit and amplifier have no HPF, disregard this and the following)18) Turn the high-pass filter on. If your HU and amp both have HPFs, use the one with the most flexibility (continuously variable &gt; selectable &gt; fixed)19) Turn the HPF up to the highest frequency20) Insert a bass heavy track and set to repeat track21) Turn the volume up to the volume written in Step 1222) Turn down the HPF frequency until you begin to notice audible distortion23) Use the lowest frequency with no audible distortion24) Turn the volume down to 0 and turn off the head unit25) In the future, do not exceed the volume written in Step 12</blockquote>

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