Tuning Subs - What Subwoofer Setting to Use on Stereo

[RebelDan]

Hi, I've tuned my subs be ear and left them that way for a while, but I would like to tune them correctly with a multimeter so I can get full power (I kept it down to be safe) out of the subs. I know all settings should be flat and if I want loudness or bass boost on I should tune the amp with them on, but I don't know what to set the subwoofer level at. My stereo has a subwoofer level from 0 to +15. I leave it somewhere between 0 to +5 for normal listening because that's more than enough, but when I want to show off I obviously turn it up to +15. That being said, what should it be set at when I tune the amp or does it even effect it?

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[858SD]

personally on the headunit i would leave the sub level at 10 and then set the gain on the amp to however loud u listen. I like to leave room since some songs bass isnt as loud as others. I have never set gains with a multimeter, I find it more easy and simple to just use your ears. But heres a good video that tells how to set gain safely based on your amp and sub.

 

[lakaiguy]

There's a good chance if you use a multimeter that your gains will end up being lower than they are now

At least that's been my experience when tuning be ear and then with a dmm

 

[RebelDan]

I want to use a multimeter to get it pretty much perfect, and the problem I see with leaving the sub level at 10 is that there's WAY too much bass for normal listening if I put the gain somewhere where I can still achieve "show off" amounts of bass. I'm thinking that I should tune the amp with sub level at 15 (which is what I use when showing off) so when I turn it up I won't cause any damage and then I just simply turn the sub level down for normal listening. Does that sound right?

 

[wickedwitt 10+ year member]

If you tune it by ear, you aren't going to gain any by ear w/ a DMM/Oscope. However, I recommend a scope and not a DMM if you're going to set the gain via an instrument.

 

[wickedwitt 10+ year member]

I want to use a multimeter to get it pretty much perfect, and the problem I see with leaving the sub level at 10 is that there's WAY too much bass for normal listening if I put the gain somewhere where I can still achieve "show off" amounts of bass. I'm thinking that I should tune the amp with sub level at 15 (which is what I use when showing off) so when I turn it up I won't cause any damage and then I just simply turn the sub level down for normal listening. Does that sound right?

Tune with the sub at even 0 for anything non Alpine, at 15 for Alpines. Never touch it after that. It boosts the signal, creating source level distortion.

 

[RebelDan]

Well I also did a software update and a Bluetooth update on the stereo and they apparently boosted the volume significantly so that my normal listening volume (which is what I just tuned the subs for) is now way too high. But not all is lost and when I turn the volume up to what I tuned it for the subs seem to respond faster, deeper and cleaner sounding. I'm now a believer in using a multimeter vs ear.