tuning without o'scope

[harnar 10+ year member]

how do people do it, how do you find the max or your amp/head unit yet know it is clippping?, cause from what I see a o'scope is like 200$

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[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

Hearing. Most of the time you can hear a distinct difference when a signal becomes clipped. Once you reach that point, turn it back some.

 

[troy_audi0 10+ year member]

the HU & Amps clip 3dB before the ear can hear it..

I like the O'scope..

Do I use it much.. no..

My boss tunes most of the systems that we send out..

I plan on using it in my truck thats for sure...

Peace Troy

 

[nauc 10+ year member]

i love my scope, dont use it much but when i do, im glad i spent the $125 and have it

http://www.elexp.com/tst_hhs5.htm

 

[msimon 10+ year member]

Word to the wise, you don't need to spend $100+ on a handheld digital scope. I got a BK Precision 2120B on e-bay for ~$40. It may not be handheld and you actually have to plug it in, but it is more than capable of performing anything you need to do with car audio. Just look around, there are usually some good deals.

 

[harnar 10+ year member]

but honestly this will be my first car audio system, do you think I could really hear 3db after it starts clipping, and couldn't I just like turn it down 4 or 5db, or is that more of a loss then I think?

 

[haunther]

or you could be just like every other noob and blow your **** up....

Stop fighting it buy it...

 

[harnar 10+ year member]

http://z13.invisionfree.com/The_Dumbster/index.php?showtopic=41 and I am trying to use that, but a lot of the terms I don't understand. Is one thing he saying here, that turning the volume nob on your hu all the way up will cause your hu to send a distorted signal. If so is there a way to adjust the hu volume so it only plays up to and not past the point at which it sends a distorted signal?

 

[harnar 10+ year member]

dude chill out, I am just learning ok?, comprendo?

 

[stishdr 10+ year member]

there is a gain setting tutorial, you should read that, then come back w/ any questions. cause basically you will turn the HU up to around 3/4 volume, and then set the gains w/ the oscope from there....that way at 3/4 volume you will have max amp output

 

[harnar 10+ year member]

thanks stich, that is was how I understood it, I just wanted to make sure I didn't misunderstand, so I don't only need a o'scope for the amp, but also for the hu unit, so for a 800$ system or so, it prob is a smart investment?

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

the HU & Amps clip 3dB before the ear can hear it..

Where'd you get that bit of info?

 

[harnar 10+ year member]

anybody, is it really worth it, if so a link to a inexpensive one please?

 

[bassnatzii 10+ year member]

it really does depend, in all honestly a good rule of thumb that almost fits every head unit ive ran into unless a super clean headunit is just dont take the volume of your radio over the mark where there is 5 volume levels left

example

max volume on radio is 35, dont go over 30 and set gains accordingly

this has never been a problem on any setup ive delt with, a oscope is nice and helpfull but if dont have money to get one or know anyone to use one from, this shoudl work for ya