setting gains, bassboost, crossover freq and subsonic filter....
 

Gains, how do you all set gains? I was told to use an oscilloscope an turn it until you get clipping? bassboost, I know to just keep that off as it really is hard on subs and amps and to be honest makes them sound awful. Crossover freq, I have been told around 200-250 is best? feel free to chime in on that one, and subsonic filter, I have heard to set this just under the porting freq on my box..

How do ya'll set these?
This goes for sub amps and speaker amps.

My subsonic filter is selectable between 20 and 50Hz, at 24dB/octave. My fiancee's DLS amp's subsonic filter is either on or off, 25Hz at 24dB/octave. I think 25-35Hz is a good place to set your subsonic filter.

Cross-over frequency depends a lot on how much volume you're trying to get from your speakers. I set my cross-overs on my amp to about 65Hz. While the cross-over on the head-unit is set at 80Hz, with a medium slope...
200-250Hz is really high for most speakers. If you're trying to get lots of volume you can set your HPF that high to keep the lower frequencies from the speaker, and it won't bottom out. I prefer a fuller sound, but I sacrifice volume to get it.

now about the gains, if set with the oscilloscope on my component amp, do i set like a sub amp? just below clipping? and if so do i do this on max h/u volume?

I really should save this as a text file on my computer......:dunno:

This process is a lot easier to do with 2 people....you will also need a source for the cleanest music you know well....ie. original CD....anything ripped and saved as MP3 or WMA may suffer some loss of quality during the conversion process.

In as few words as possible.....:smokin:

1. Check deck and amps, ensure all boost, EQ and gains are set to minimum.

2. Plug in RCA for front R speaker only. For 5.25" HP starts at 120hz, either in deck(preferable) or on amp. Using music you know well, raise volume on deck until it starts to clip, back it off till distortion is gone. Raise gain on amp very slowly until distortion is heard again, back it off. Lower volume on deck, lower HP setting 1 step (or approx. 100hz if variable). Repeat this process until you find the setting that gets you the most volume without distortion.

3. Repeat process for front L.....if you are using rear speakers I usually leave them out of the process until later.

At this point you have as much sound from the front end as the equipment can handle.

4. Plug in sub RCAs.....set Xover at approx. same value as HP minus 20 hz. Unplug front RCAs, raise volume at deck until distortion is heard, back it off until distortion stops. Try raising gain to see if there is any headroom left in amp, after fiddling, sub should be getting as much clean power as possible.

5. Hook fronts back up, listen to system at moderate volume....listen for even volume across all freq. If you have a test disc it will help with this part. Try adjusting sub gain and Xover to help the mix if possible, having set the fronts to their maximum output it is generally better to try and match the sub output to that level rather than the other way around.

6. Once you have found the best sounding (to your ears) settings, then hook up your rears. If you have a 4 channel running the mids and highs, unplug the fronts and the subs and repeat the setting process you did for the fronts.

7 Plug them all back in.....at this point you should only have to adjust the fader or the gain for the rears to get them to blend with the other speakers until you are happy with the sound.....:smilie_da

Setting the subsonic ( or infrasonic if ya wanna pic nits.....:D ) just below Fb is a good way to keep the woofer(s) happy.....it's all about getting the most you can out of what you have.....

HTH

You have just answered my prayers.
Thank you soooo much.

Trust me he did it this way with my system and it is a night and day difference to it. :smilie_da:worshippy Yes it is much easier to have 2 ppl doing this, saves alot of bouncing back and forth from the trunk to the front seat and back for hours. :bs: I know I have done it this way. :stroke:
Nick

Wow.....:worshippy:worshippy :laugh:

If you can make it up to Mississauga tomorrow morning I will be working on another members car.....you are welcome to stop by and I will have a listen to your car and see if I can help you out......:smilie_da

PM me if you can make it and I will send you the address.

HTH

i normally just crank everything to the max.

Nooo....you?? :eek::laugh:

See you on the 4th.....:smokin: