Well, my subs got lost in transit, then finally found, then they were sold to someone else on the shelf within 3 hours of letting me know they came in. A few phone calls to the store manager later, I got my subs, box and amp. I hooked it all up this afternoon, and it certainly pounds, but my gains at the moment are set really, really low. I'm terrified of blowing my subs. This is the lead in to my question, which now will follow.
Car: 2001 Monte Carlo SS, stock H/U and internal speakers. It has premium sound, which includes a small amp for the four inside speakers.
Equipment: Sony XM-2002GTR, Sony XS-L123P5's ( 12" x 2 )
Now, I put in a CD and played a song with steady, heavy bass while adjusting my gain. My gain is in the form of a small knob with voltage numbers, I started out at 6v, it is now at 4v, and if I turn it up more, the bass obviously gets louder, but I just get scared that I could be clipping the amp, not knowing. I really, really don't wanna blow my speakers, so I'm leaving it at 4, which does pound rather hard, until I get some input on this. My amplifer is connected to the H/U via the high-level inputs, connected into the rear deck speakers, AFTER the stock amplifier. The controls on the amp at my disposal are -
Level: 6, 5.5, 4, 2, .5, .3, but I can set them anywhere between those numbers also, the knob turns smoothly - Currently set at 4.
Low Boost ( 40Hz): 0 to 10dB, smooth knob as well - Currently set at 1.
Filter: 50, 60, 110, 170, 260, 300 - Currently set at 170 (Factory setting)
Those are the only three settings I can mess with, I have the EQ on my H/U leveled, I used to have the bass turned up on it, but I leveled that out.
So, my actual questions, numbered for convenience!
1) The RMS going to each speaker is 200, the max RMS for each speaker is 350, how much danger do I have from an inaudible clipping of the signal to blow my speakers?
2) If I keep turning my gain up, will my speakers simply blow out after a few seconds? Or will I have a chance to go "Wow, that sounds horrible, I better turn it back down" I haven't turned it past 4 yet for more than 3 seconds, just to hear one note that kind of vibrated my rib cage.
3) Will my bass boost contribute to clipping? I fear clipping ;-; How high can I turn it, or should I leave it alone?
4) Is my LPF set alright? I haven't really messed with it. My rear deck speakers can pound pretty hard, so they put out some decent midbass, but they obviously don't have the deep thump that I was after.
5) I also noticed a kind of buzzing noise, only in some songs though, I believe it's some part of my car vibrating, as it only occurs on bass, and it sounds very simlar to my license plate rattling (Which I will fix soon ><) Should I be concerned with this noise? It's only noticible when the trunk is open and you're near the subs, it goes away completely when listening normally.
I know, so many noob questions, I'm just scared of breaking my very first sub and amp. Any help, advice or tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
-Travis
2001 Monte Carlo SS
Sony XM-2002GTR
Sony XS-L123P5 x 2