Amplifier Tuning?

GlossyTundra

GlossyTundra

Tractor Detailer
Anyone here know anything about fine tuning a amplifier. I have the 2 sets of kicker door speakers, alpine 9851 cd player, dual 8" Rockford fosgate subs, infinity 7040 4-ch amp. The amp puts out 70x4 to the speakers+278x1 to the subs. I have always had trouble with the tuning part of the instalation. How do yall set your gains? X-overs, how do yall match the amp with the equalizers on the h/u?



Thanks

Brandon
 
Hello! Sounds like a pretty nice setup...My process is as follows: With a 4-channel amp, I unplug all RCA cables at the amp. I set all levels on the amp to zero gain and no bass boost (if applicable). I set all adjustments on the h/u to flat (Bass=0, Treble=0, Loud=Off, etc.) Now plug in only the front channel RCA cables to the amp. Pop in a GOOD quality CD of something you are familiar with that has very good clarity. No Metal if possible. I turn the h/u approximately 3/4 of maximum volume. Now I go back to the amp and start increasing the gain level on the front channel until you get clipping (distortion). Once distorted, back off a bit until clean sound is achieved. Turn the stereo down and unplug the front RCA's. Plug in the rear RCA's at the amp. Repeat volume to 3/4 at h/u and turn gain up at amp til distorted, then back off. The X-overs should cross over to match speaker Hz. rating. I always used subs which can go down pretty low, but you don't want to set x-over too low as bass in the 30hz. range is not optimum. I set mine around 80hz. normally as that is good all around bass in a variety of music. I then set my High Pass X-overs around 125hz. Sometimes you have to go a bit higher to keep the lows out of the satellite speakers, but you get the idea. Hope I did not get you too confused...LOL!
 
I have a pretty good ear (musician for about 10 years) so I am constantly tweaking my settings on a song by song basis. I did do an initial tune though.



If any of your friends are good with stereos, watch what they do. In the end, I chose the highest quality music I had (meaning 192kbs or higher on MP3) and of the most common music I listen to. For my choice I chose:



Tommy Lee - Good Times

Ryan Cabrera - Shine On

Police - SOS (Sand Ver Doom Mix) ...house music mix



Laugh all you want but those three have a nice range of acoustics. If you have any Sade, U2, or Elton John, I would use those too as they have excellent recording qualities and great detail acoustically as well.



I brought my car to a parking lot and kept my windows closed. I then played each song at 75% volume and went to town. You have to see what fits you best. I usually tune the sub first, then go up in the hZ rating.



Any questions, just ask...Hope I can help.







edit: RW: Funny we both touched on similar things :). I have my subs filter at 80hz and high-pass at 125-hz too... :LOLOL
 
Hi,

I am french so sorry if my english isn't perfect...

I've bought 2 Alpine SWR-1242D in a vented custom fiberglass enclosure.

I tuned the enclosure at 35Hz with the diameter and lenght of vents.

I have a 10 Farads Power acoustik cap and a Lanzar Vibe 266 amp.

My question is : how can I tune the Low Pass filter on my amp ?

Have I to tune the low pass filter at 35 Hz ?

I ask you this because I readed that it was forbidden to tune the low pass filter above the tuning frequency of the box...

Thanks for your answer
 
I leave the EQ on the HU flat. If I have dash mounted speakers, I'll use a very high high-pass. This helps retain clarity. I've used as high as 5k. Mids go to lower mounted speakers and back seat speakers. I'll normally trim these with high and low-pass filters. I think it's best to not have highs coming from all over the car, because this will provide better spatial character and clarity. I normally use a fairly low low-pass on the subs, like 40-50 Hz, assuming you're able to get the mid-lows from other speakers. Get up to 80 Hz and the subs will start sending out muddy midrange, too. Your numbers will be different, depending on the # speakers, the location, the range on the speakers, and your personnal preference. As far as gains, you can use relative gains like an eq to balance everything out. Absolute gain settings are a balance between noise and distortion.
 
i usually use an RTA machine to tune a sound system. but honestly something set to compete with a flat RTA response sounds horrible. if you want to set the gains on the amps, turn the HU up to 50% and unplug all but one amp at a time. turn the gains all the way down and adjust up until it get to max volume. then turn back 1/4 turn. that ensures maximum volume but no clipping from your amp. as far as the crossover goes play it by ear but adjust down not up. if you hear too much base dont turn the high end up, push the low frequencies down. if you adjust up to make the frequencies louder you get distortion.



my current set up in my suburban is as follows:

kenwood hu

zapco 1/3oct crossover

3 zapco amps

boston pros in each door, 6 1/2 separates

kicker subs

all told about 2500 watts all running different impedances

5 individual monitors

dvd changer

cd changer, yes old school

xm radio

wireless headphones

xbox 360

and i am trying to get a carputer installed with nav, internet, xm, ipod and all the other crazy stuff

i also have full blown alarm, back up camera, perimeter sensors and such
 
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