Just finished installing head unit/amp/sub and now I'm trying to adjust everything to where it sounds the best. Should I adjust the amp gain first with the head unit's subwoofer level set and 0 (goes from -15 to +15)? As it is now, with the gain at about 3/4, the bass is high even with the subwoofer level at -15. Are these adjustments pretty much the same thing (just one on the amp and one on the head unit)?
Also, what are some good crossover frequencies to set the head unit? I have adjustments for front high pass, rear high pass, and low pass.
Here’s how . . .
Step 1. Turn any your deck’s bass, trouble, and equalizer setting to flat (center or zero). Turn the deck’s subwoofer volume control all the way up (+15).
Step 4. Set the front and rear pass output on your deck to 100 to 120Hz (you can fine tune later for best sound).
Step 3. Turn the sub amplifier’s bass boost to flat and the gain control most of the way down.
Step 4. Put in your favorite CD and crank it, until you hear the sound starting to distort, back off on the volume until the distortion goes away. Note the number on your volume control; this is the max volume clean volume. If you want more volume you’ll need to add an amp to your stereo speakers.
Step 5. Adjust your subwoofer amplifier gain . . . turn it up until you hear your sub/s start distorting and/or you reach a point where turning up the gain makes no audible difference. Done!
Now you can go back in and fine tune. You have reached the maximum volume for all of your components, from here you just back off the subwoofer volume control on the deck. If you still have too much bass, back the gain on the amplifier down. Adjust the crossover on the deck for best sound.
Enjoy!
It is best to start woth the boost off, you can always add it later if needed.
: )
JOEPRO2:It is best to start woth the boost off, you can always add it later if needed.
And re-adjust the gain to compensate also, I believe.
Great info above, JOEPRO2!!!
2002 Ford Focus Sony CDX-GT410u Sony XT-100HD HD Tuner Stock speakers, no amp, no subs