I would like to get the maximum dynamic range out of my system, with a good compromise between SPL and signal-to-noise.
The following ingredients are there:
Audi A6 with the OEM Audi MMI system
Rockford 3Sixty.2
PG ZX-450 4 channel amp, driving:
- Focal 3 way compo set 165KRX3
- Focal 2 way compo set 165KRX2
JL HD750/1 monoblock, driving:
- JL 12W7AE
I have always been told to set the maximum unclipped output level on all elements in the system first, to ensure maximum dynamic range. I have an oscilloscope available, so I can determine the exact clipping levels of OEM source unit, 3Sixty and the amps.
Rockford Fosgate recommends to set crossover freqs, output levels etc on the 3Sixty.
Here are my questions:
- When set to max unclipped levels, I will likely not have system balance and will need to attenuate. Should I attenuate on the 3Sixty as Rockford recommends, or rather on the amps?
- I'm not technical enough to understand all the fysics....if I attenuate on the 3Sixty, I decrease the output level. Does that impact the input sensitivity of the amp? And does it decrease the dynamic range?
- Is there a technical difference in using the 3Sixty vs the amp vs the remote level control of the amp to attenuate? I'm fuguring 3Sixty is output control, gain on the amp is input sensitivity contol and the remote is output control of the amp..... Perhaps they all pretty much achieve the same, but is there a preference?
Rockford Fosgate recommends to work with a gain overlap (using the -5dB test sine being the best compromise according to their tutorials). JL recommends just using the 0dB test sine, so no gain overlap.
It does make sense that a test track is different compared to actual music, so this could speak in favor of gain overlap.
Any advise on applying gain overlap or not?
Thank you for any useful information and the support to help me get the maximum out of my setup!
The following ingredients are there:
Audi A6 with the OEM Audi MMI system
Rockford 3Sixty.2
PG ZX-450 4 channel amp, driving:
- Focal 3 way compo set 165KRX3
- Focal 2 way compo set 165KRX2
JL HD750/1 monoblock, driving:
- JL 12W7AE
I have always been told to set the maximum unclipped output level on all elements in the system first, to ensure maximum dynamic range. I have an oscilloscope available, so I can determine the exact clipping levels of OEM source unit, 3Sixty and the amps.
Rockford Fosgate recommends to set crossover freqs, output levels etc on the 3Sixty.
Here are my questions:
- When set to max unclipped levels, I will likely not have system balance and will need to attenuate. Should I attenuate on the 3Sixty as Rockford recommends, or rather on the amps?
- I'm not technical enough to understand all the fysics....if I attenuate on the 3Sixty, I decrease the output level. Does that impact the input sensitivity of the amp? And does it decrease the dynamic range?
- Is there a technical difference in using the 3Sixty vs the amp vs the remote level control of the amp to attenuate? I'm fuguring 3Sixty is output control, gain on the amp is input sensitivity contol and the remote is output control of the amp..... Perhaps they all pretty much achieve the same, but is there a preference?
Rockford Fosgate recommends to work with a gain overlap (using the -5dB test sine being the best compromise according to their tutorials). JL recommends just using the 0dB test sine, so no gain overlap.
It does make sense that a test track is different compared to actual music, so this could speak in favor of gain overlap.
Any advise on applying gain overlap or not?
Thank you for any useful information and the support to help me get the maximum out of my setup!
