bushwickbill

So this is my first Amp in many years, So I am still unsure as to the best way to have the levels set on my Amp?
I have the ISF (infrasonic filter) switch set to cut out everything below 15Hz.
Now as for the LPf (Low-Pass Filter), What should I have this set to.
I mostly Listen to Hard hitting Rap and Hard Classic Rock. So Can someone suggest a level that I should be setting it too?
And as for the Input Sensitivity Control, Any Advice for that?
Here is a Link to my Amps Manual.
http://images.kenwood.eu/files/prod/965/5/KAC-8104D(EN).pdf

Please, I need some good advice on how to set these Amp levels so I can get the best sound possible.
Thanx for all the help Evrybody who replied.
Finally Bumpin after 10 Years

TragicMagic

Firstly, set your amp gain to its minimum level. Turn the volume on your head-unit to 90% of max. Set your bass level, on the head-unit, to its mid-way point. Check to see what the frequency range is for your particular subwoofer speaker. Generally, most are between 20-300Hz. However, most are only used to play frequencies as high as 80-100Hz. No frequency higher than your LPF will be amplified and sent to your subwoofer. And since you'll not want to send a signal higher than 80-100Hz to your subwoofer, set your LPF to 80Hz.
I suggest you have a 2nd person with a good ear with you. Turn on some music of your choice. Pick something that has a range of deep bass, preferably. Now, with your volume at 90% and your bass level at mid-way, listen. Slowly increase the gain on your amplifier. Increase incrementally until the bass level suits your needs. You could increase it until the woofer starts to distort, but I don't suggest this. With the head-unit set the way it is, you'll be able to use it to increase/decrease the bass for each particular song from then on out.
Once you have your gain set for volume, you can increase the frequency towards 100Hz, while still listening for any distortion. If you want your subwoofer to play higher frequencies, it may. But you will likely not be able use as high a gain.

Hope that helps. Keep in mind that you would have to do the same thing over again with a different subwoofer, as it would respond differently to the same amp settings.

TragicMagic

Also, I think its recommended that you don't use your Bass Boost. I've been told that its not something you'd want to use, ideally. You should be able to get the sound you want with out it.

bushwickbill

Thanx for the reply, Seems like a good starting point. I will give those settings a try. And i will leave the bass boost off for now as you say.
Anyone else have any comments about my issue?

scuba789

I prefer to leave the deck's bass boost flat and have no 'loudness' on when adjusting gains. Then set your volume to 75-80%. You can go higher, but this will be your new max volume point so make sure that you aren't distorting your speakers at your chosen level. Playing a test tone (something around 50 HZ is good) adjust the gain until you hear distortion and back it off a little. Then you can use the bass boost on your amp to adjust the sound to what you like.

As far as your low pass crossover, what are you crossing over your speakers at? Set your low pass crossover to blend in with the speakers.

If you want to download tones this is a good site:

Stereo System Test & Analysis Tones by Nino B.

MTT

iTrader: (17)

Whats the sub(s)....enclosure?....mounting location (direction), it's all a matter of personal preference. I have my sub playing 20hz to 36hz.

keep in mind that crossing at 80 or 100 is all good but there was no mention of slope, a high or low pass filter is not a brick wall by any means, a low pass of 80hz will still be playing a 300hz note which is beyond the comfort zone of most subs.

The statement that "No frequency higher than your LPF will be amplified" is false.

I couldn't find the slope of the filter in the manual you listed...but assuming it's 12db/ I'd LPF it at around 50hz and set the subsonic at 25hz and work your way up and down from there.

Best way to do it is play around and change things until it sounds right TO YOU.

TragicMagic

MTT, thanks for correcting me. I take it that different amps will have different slopes starting at whatever the LPF is set at. A steeper slope will cut off higher frequencies sooner, and a longer slope will allow higher frequencies to be played. It this what the Db/Octave refers to? With each octave increase, the volume (amplification) of that higher octave (frequency) will decrease.

Shouldn't the location be picked after he's matched the amps input to what the subwoofer can handle. Then put it in a place that enhances what the sub is doing at those amp settings. If he were to put it at a setting that was causing the sub to distort, changing the location wouldn't do anything to rectify that...