setting gains to match sub

bunch62 · Post by **bunch62** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 3:17 pm

i am running a jl 10w6 dual 6ohm in a factory sized sealed box with a zx500, how do i set the amp output to best drive the speaker but not blow it thanks

Post by **ttocs** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 3:53 pm

are you wanting instructions on how to do it by ear, or with an o-scope?

Post by **stipud** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 4:33 pm

Oscilloscope is by far the best method. If you have access to one, it's as simple as playing a test tone and increasing the gains until you see the wave start to square off.

Alternatively, using a multimeter is much safer than doing it by ear, but you won't get every drop of headroom the amp has to offer:
http://phoenixphorum.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=280

bunch62 · Post by **bunch62** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:00 am

ttocs wrote:are you wanting instructions on how to do it by ear, or with an o-scope?

ttocs i was going to use an o-scope but know the amp is 600watts but the sub is rated 250-300 max i wanted to set gains to limit the output to around 300 ,unless the sub needs more in a sealed box

Post by **ttocs** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:35 am

don't sweat overpowering your sub if you plan on setting it up with an o-scope. As long as you set it up to keep it out of clipping feel free to feed that thing as much power as you want too.... Do you know what it sounds like when a sub clips? Do you know what it looks like on a scope? We need to get an idea of your listening and tuning exp....

The power ratings on speakers is one of the more useless #'s given in the specs and one of the last things I look at.

bunch62 · Post by **bunch62** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:34 am

ttocs wrote:don't sweat overpowering your sub if you plan on setting it up with an o-scope. As long as you set it up to keep it out of clipping feel free to feed that thing as much power as you want too.... Do you know what it sounds like when a sub clips? Do you know what it looks like on a scope? We need to get an idea of your listening and tuning exp....

The power ratings on speakers is one of the more useless #'s given in the specs and one of the last things I look at.

ok here goes no i dont know what a clipping sub sounds like, i have seen the pictures showing the flat section/missing hump of the signal wave, i would say my tuning exp is minimal and only trying what can be found on forums

bunch62 · Post by **bunch62** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:51 am

stipud wrote:Oscilloscope is by far the best method. If you have access to one, it's as simple as playing a test tone and increasing the gains until you see the wave start to square off.

Alternatively, using a multimeter is much safer than doing it by ear, but you won't get every drop of headroom the amp has to offer:
http://phoenixphorum.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=280

sorry i did not reply to your post earlier i am reading your suggestion but it is taking time to digest all the information

Post by **ttocs** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 12:10 pm

by the sounds of it then you are not all that familiar with what a "clipped signal" is? Not a big deal if that is the case but I/we just need to know at what level we should start to help you reach your goal.

bunch62 · Post by **bunch62** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 4:42 pm

ttocs wrote:by the sounds of it then you are not all that familiar with what a "clipped signal" is? Not a big deal if that is the case but I/we just need to know at what level we should start to help you reach your goal.

please explain "what level to start to help"

Post by **ttocs** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 5:25 pm

is this the first time you have tuned an amp or have you been installing stereos profesionally now for 15-20 yrs? Do you know what a clipped signal is? Do you know what it sounds like or what it looks like on an o-scope? The clipped wave is what we will be looking for on the scope and listening for while playing to try and keep it out of clipping.

bunch62 · Post by **bunch62** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 7:36 am

thanks for the reply this is the first time to tune an amp i have been fitting them over the last 10 years mostly to my own cars i know what a clipped signal looks like but cant say i would know it if i heard it unless it is like some disco systems that are turned up to loud

STROKD · Post by **STROKD** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:20 pm

Set the db gain to about 4, and turn the volume at the loudness you think will be all the way up, turn the gain up slowly till the sub starts to go pop pop pop, and back it down a jiggle.

done and done, no need for silly o scope nonsense, that's for ballers...

wooferdog · Post by **wooferdog** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:43 pm

is that pop,pop,pop,poof?

STROKD · Post by **STROKD** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:35 pm

wooferdog wrote:is that pop,pop,pop,poof?

only on a janky sub... couple pop's dont hurt nothin if it's not swap meet stereo-a-bumpin crap.

wooferdog · Post by **wooferdog** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:09 pm

yea,i know what your talking about. i used to bang the hell out of those cheap subs just to see what they would take.

bunch62 · Post by **bunch62** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 10:50 am

STROKD wrote:Set the db gain to about 4, and turn the volume at the loudness you think will be all the way up, turn the gain up slowly till the sub starts to go pop pop pop, and back it down a jiggle. done and done, no need for silly o scope nonsense, that's for ballers...

sorry but i think o-scope is the best way as this is first time,prefer not to guess

setting gains to match sub

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