Hey guys
I was wondering whether it would be a good idea to put the subwoofer level (actually called the Non-Fading Level on my Kenwood KDC-V7022 HU) on the HU all the way up and then adjust the amp gain down (until there is no distortion). The Non-Fading Level on the HU goes from -15 to +15. If i turn it to +15 and turn my amp gain down would that be better than having my amp gain turned up more and the Non-Fading Level set at 0?
Also, how should other HU settings (like loudness, etc) be set for subwoofers?
Thanks if you can help!
~Soul Karver
Replies (6)
compvr15s on 08/5/2004 03:27:20
no no, you dont want to do this, that is just there to help adjust from the driver seat, like if you set your amps to a certain song that is loud and maybe the next song is quiet you can just turn the sub level up to compensate for the loss. i would not recommend turning this up past +3or4. its usually best to turn your EQ on your head unit to flat so everytthing is zero, turn the head unit up to about 75% of its max volume or any volume that you think you will listen to it the most at, then tune your amp for your subz. once the head unit is at the desired volume set the crossover on the amp to optimal range for your subs then start to adjust just the gain on the amp until you hear some distortion, then turn it back a notch, or if you plan to use the eq on your head unit alot turn the amp back a lil more than normal. id highly recommend not doing the positve 15 on the head unit. same thing goes with the bass boost on the amp, try to keep that around +3or4 or less. will help your amp run cooler and with less distortion. good luck
uochronos on 08/5/2004 05:13:15
agreeded turniong this all the way up or any boost setting all the way up is asking for trouble. these are just there for fine tuning from the driver seat.
i perosnaly set all my HU settings to flat or 0 and then turn it to normal listening for me. then tune the amps to where they sound good. then adjust any HU settings.
i perosnaly dont use the "loud" setting or any of the other settings like that i personaly think that they just cause alot of unneeded distortion. adjusting the bass and trble boost and the EQ on the HU should get you what you need.
also check out in the DIY section there is a whole article on tuning the system in.
swez on 08/5/2004 07:43:23
Here's an FAQ on how to set your HU and amps up initially.
http://www.clubknowledge.com/Car_Audio_FAQ/?t3
This is all done by ear and a little practice and patience will net good results.
The loudness control is designed to boost lows and highs at low listening levels. As the volume is increased, the loudness control is usually designed to automatically remove itself to prevent overdriving lows and highs.
Finally, you will note large variations in low, mids and highs from different cuts (tunes) you listen to. (EVEN ON THE SAME CD) This is normal and why we have tone controls on the HU (EQ) to help compensate. Some cuts might sound thin on bass and very bright on highs. Other cuts may be very bass heavy and mids are almost not there. When tuning your amps, use a few cuts you know very well and adjust the amp gains from these.
Swez
PS When dialing in your system, use moderate volume settings on the last round of tweaks as our ears cannot accurately judge frequency balancing at high SPL levels.
soul_karver on 08/11/2004 20:34:39
Hey swez... i was looking at that article of yours (http://www.clubknowledge.com/Car_Audio_FAQ/?t3) again and I was wondering... what are the LOC's and what do they do?
~SK
compvr15s on 08/12/2004 09:01:44
LOCs are Line Output Converters. they allow you to take a high level audio signal such as speakers level outputs and turn them into low output signals like the preamp rca signal on the back on aftermarket head units. most times these are used when you want to add amps and subs to your vehicle without buy a new head unit. most LOCs that i know of are adjustable to match the voltage of your amp, which gives a stronger signal and less distortion from your amp.
swez on 08/12/2004 10:20:40
Comp is right. LOC's are best used in Factory HU's when we add amps and maybe signal processors like DSP or EQ. These work well to allow one to keep the factory HU, but add more amplification.
Some LOC's can even be used in systems that have Bose or Infinity amplifiers in the system already. These are a bit more difficult to convert as speakers are often amped internally in the vehicle. The speakers that are designed for BOSE or Infinity may not perform well in aftermarket amping situations. Many installers just gut or bypass them and start fresh with all new aftermarket components. (Ie: HU, amps & speakers)
Swez
I was wondering whether it would be a good idea to put the subwoofer level (actually called the Non-Fading Level on my Kenwood KDC-V7022 HU) on the HU all the way up and then adjust the amp gain down (until there is no distortion). The Non-Fading Level on the HU goes from -15 to +15. If i turn it to +15 and turn my amp gain down would that be better than having my amp gain turned up more and the Non-Fading Level set at 0?
Also, how should other HU settings (like loudness, etc) be set for subwoofers?
Thanks if you can help!
~Soul Karver
Replies (6)
compvr15s on 08/5/2004 03:27:20
no no, you dont want to do this, that is just there to help adjust from the driver seat, like if you set your amps to a certain song that is loud and maybe the next song is quiet you can just turn the sub level up to compensate for the loss. i would not recommend turning this up past +3or4. its usually best to turn your EQ on your head unit to flat so everytthing is zero, turn the head unit up to about 75% of its max volume or any volume that you think you will listen to it the most at, then tune your amp for your subz. once the head unit is at the desired volume set the crossover on the amp to optimal range for your subs then start to adjust just the gain on the amp until you hear some distortion, then turn it back a notch, or if you plan to use the eq on your head unit alot turn the amp back a lil more than normal. id highly recommend not doing the positve 15 on the head unit. same thing goes with the bass boost on the amp, try to keep that around +3or4 or less. will help your amp run cooler and with less distortion. good luck
uochronos on 08/5/2004 05:13:15
agreeded turniong this all the way up or any boost setting all the way up is asking for trouble. these are just there for fine tuning from the driver seat.
i perosnaly set all my HU settings to flat or 0 and then turn it to normal listening for me. then tune the amps to where they sound good. then adjust any HU settings.
i perosnaly dont use the "loud" setting or any of the other settings like that i personaly think that they just cause alot of unneeded distortion. adjusting the bass and trble boost and the EQ on the HU should get you what you need.
also check out in the DIY section there is a whole article on tuning the system in.
swez on 08/5/2004 07:43:23
Here's an FAQ on how to set your HU and amps up initially.
http://www.clubknowledge.com/Car_Audio_FAQ/?t3
This is all done by ear and a little practice and patience will net good results.
The loudness control is designed to boost lows and highs at low listening levels. As the volume is increased, the loudness control is usually designed to automatically remove itself to prevent overdriving lows and highs.
Finally, you will note large variations in low, mids and highs from different cuts (tunes) you listen to. (EVEN ON THE SAME CD) This is normal and why we have tone controls on the HU (EQ) to help compensate. Some cuts might sound thin on bass and very bright on highs. Other cuts may be very bass heavy and mids are almost not there. When tuning your amps, use a few cuts you know very well and adjust the amp gains from these.
Swez
PS When dialing in your system, use moderate volume settings on the last round of tweaks as our ears cannot accurately judge frequency balancing at high SPL levels.
soul_karver on 08/11/2004 20:34:39
Hey swez... i was looking at that article of yours (http://www.clubknowledge.com/Car_Audio_FAQ/?t3) again and I was wondering... what are the LOC's and what do they do?
~SK
compvr15s on 08/12/2004 09:01:44
LOCs are Line Output Converters. they allow you to take a high level audio signal such as speakers level outputs and turn them into low output signals like the preamp rca signal on the back on aftermarket head units. most times these are used when you want to add amps and subs to your vehicle without buy a new head unit. most LOCs that i know of are adjustable to match the voltage of your amp, which gives a stronger signal and less distortion from your amp.
swez on 08/12/2004 10:20:40
Comp is right. LOC's are best used in Factory HU's when we add amps and maybe signal processors like DSP or EQ. These work well to allow one to keep the factory HU, but add more amplification.
Some LOC's can even be used in systems that have Bose or Infinity amplifiers in the system already. These are a bit more difficult to convert as speakers are often amped internally in the vehicle. The speakers that are designed for BOSE or Infinity may not perform well in aftermarket amping situations. Many installers just gut or bypass them and start fresh with all new aftermarket components. (Ie: HU, amps & speakers)
Swez
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