Gain & Overhead
06-21-2006, 10:16 PM
#12
Hopefully I can clear this up.....either that or confuse you even more.....
As an example.....
You have an amp that is rated @ 100w RMS per channel into a given impedance, over a given frequency range, at a given amount of distortion, with a stated power supply voltage. This is generally the most power the amp can produce without sounding like crap.
The gain control is marked on one side at .2volts and at the other side at 2.5volts.
Your deck RCA's are rated at 2.5volts.
The purpose of your gain control, as stated above, is to match the 2 units together. The voltage listed on the gain control is the amount of input voltage required by the amp to produce the rated output power.
In theory, since the maximum output voltage on the RCA's is the same as the max on the amp inputs, you should be able to set them to those points and live happily ever after. In reality this probably won't happen. By the time your deck reaches it's 2.5v output limit, it will probably be distorting audibly. If you turn the deck down to the point where there is no distortion, it may only be putting out 2.1volts. At this point, you use the gain control on the amp to adjust the voltage required to get the amp output back up to the 100w/channel point by turning it down. I know it sounds backwards at first, but thats the way they work.
This is a very simplified explanation, and there are some tech heads here who can give more details, but when you're trying to get the most sound from any set of equipment, keeping this in mind will get you in the zone....
HTH
As an example.....
You have an amp that is rated @ 100w RMS per channel into a given impedance, over a given frequency range, at a given amount of distortion, with a stated power supply voltage. This is generally the most power the amp can produce without sounding like crap.
The gain control is marked on one side at .2volts and at the other side at 2.5volts.
Your deck RCA's are rated at 2.5volts.
The purpose of your gain control, as stated above, is to match the 2 units together. The voltage listed on the gain control is the amount of input voltage required by the amp to produce the rated output power.
In theory, since the maximum output voltage on the RCA's is the same as the max on the amp inputs, you should be able to set them to those points and live happily ever after. In reality this probably won't happen. By the time your deck reaches it's 2.5v output limit, it will probably be distorting audibly. If you turn the deck down to the point where there is no distortion, it may only be putting out 2.1volts. At this point, you use the gain control on the amp to adjust the voltage required to get the amp output back up to the 100w/channel point by turning it down. I know it sounds backwards at first, but thats the way they work.
This is a very simplified explanation, and there are some tech heads here who can give more details, but when you're trying to get the most sound from any set of equipment, keeping this in mind will get you in the zone....
HTH
06-22-2006, 09:03 PM
#13
Originally Posted by dkitt10
right well u match the gain to the head unit
but say i have a true 1200 watt rms amplifier that puts out 1200 watts at 4 ohms
and I have a SVC 4 ohm sub thats rated for 300 watts rms
will it hurt the sub at all if I simply have the gain set lower, like quite a bit lower then the deck output
but say i have a true 1200 watt rms amplifier that puts out 1200 watts at 4 ohms
and I have a SVC 4 ohm sub thats rated for 300 watts rms
will it hurt the sub at all if I simply have the gain set lower, like quite a bit lower then the deck output
The main issue here is that everyone must learn to hear what distortion is. No mater where it comes from, you MUST be able to notice it and turn down the volume. Any speaker, under normal use, will sound distorted well before it is damaged.
So pick some music, and listen to it, notice how clear it sounds at medium volume. As you raise the volume, mids and highs start sounding harsh. The sub will start to distort also and even bottom out.
This is the best way to not fry your speakers.
I have a minivan with a 5 channel RF amp. 50watts x 4 plus 200W driving a 10" sub. It plays undistorted loud enough so that it gets uncomfortable to listen to. I have no need for more poer. More power may mean a bit less distortion, but also means that I will go deaf faster.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
U-OUT-SUCKA
General Discussion
0
07-12-2008 12:15 AM
