correct amplifier settings
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=124273
Printed Date: May 16, 2024 at 8:14 AM
Topic: correct amplifier settings
Posted By: jkats91
Subject: correct amplifier settings
Date Posted: November 03, 2010 at 9:57 PM
I have one Alpine MRP-M500 amplifier connected to my JL Audio 10w3v2-d4 and a Pyle PLA-4120 connected to my car speakers. Head unit is a Pioneer DEH-P5100ub, three RCA outputs each 3V. On the Alpine MRP-M500 connected to the subwoofer what are the appropriate gain, bass boost and filter frequency settings? On the Pyle PLA-4120, what are the appropriate crossover settings along with gain settings?
Replies:
Posted By: jaimmer
Date Posted: November 04, 2010 at 4:28 PM
I've just been through this! There are no standard gain settings and it is impossible to publish any because every system is different. Just hook it up and set the gain structure by ear. Look on this site or Google "setting gains" and you can read about any number of methods.
The easiest way is the "three-quarter method" where you turn the gains all the way down on the amp and set your head unit to 3/4 of max volume. Set all the EQs and bass boosts to zero for this. Then start turning up the gains on the amp until you hear distortion. Use tracks that you know well. When the amp clips you will hear it trust me! Use test tones if you have them; I downloaded some MP3 tones by Bass Mekanik from Amazon. They are handy for setting the sub amp's gain. Take your time and listen closely and make slow, incremental adjustments. Then listen to it for a few days and try tweaking it up and down to hit the sweet spot. You'll be surprised how little time it takes to find the ideal settings.
Crossovers have to be set by ear as well. All the oscilloscopes in the world are not going to help because your ears and your brain are going to be the final word. Disconnect the sub and crank a bassy track through the mids. Set the Pyle's HPF all the way up and then adjust it down until the bass just starts to distort and back it off a little. Then note the xover point - roughly of course - and set the Alpine's LPF at the same frequency. Then tweak them to fill in gaps or overlaps in the response.
After you set the crossovers you may be able to increase the gains a little on both amps..
Good luck!
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Jamie
2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited
Infinity "Premium" Factory Head Unit and Amp
MB Quart Tweets
Factory Center, Mids and Rears
JL Audio 10W6 sub
Alpine MRP-M500 Mono Amp
AudioControl LC6i
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: November 05, 2010 at 1:09 PM
Posted By: jkats91
Date Posted: November 05, 2010 at 7:39 PM
I appreciate that you put in the time to explain it again, thanks! I guess the main question I'm trying to ask is, what does the "filter frequency" knob on the Alpine mean and what do "x-over" knobs on the Pyle mean?
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: November 05, 2010 at 9:42 PM
A crossover is a filter. A high pass filter allows frequencies above the set frequency to get to the amp or speakers.
A low pass filter allows frequencies below the set frequency to get to the amp or speakers.
Posted By: jkats91
Date Posted: November 09, 2010 at 10:26 PM
On my Pyle, i have both crossovers as (HPF) and on the alpine the "filter frequency" i'm guessing is the (LPF).
The knobs on the Pyle range from 0-250hz and the knob on the alpine ranges from 0-250hz. What is the optimal range for the alpine that i get a lot of bass? and what is the optimal range for the Pyle that i get highs and some bass to the speakers?
my front speakers are components (with tweeters) and my back speakers are regular (without tweeters)
thanks again to all the people that reply!
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