Hello, I was wondering if someone could help me with the settings on my amp. I drive a 1995 Saturn SL2.
First off, I have an Alpine 500CDM7874 Head unit, with an Alpine MRV-100M 1200w amp hooked to a 10" 1100w Sony Xplod subwoofer. I'm not sure what to set for the LP Filter, Bass Equalizer, and Gain. It sounds fine as it is with the random settings I have it on, but I'd like to know what might be best.
I know most people scorn at the thought of using a Sony Xplod sub, but honestly I have no problem with it. Any help is much appreciated.
Replies (7)
cplkittle on 12/11/2008 00:05:29
Sony has some nice products, and most of the time it is not the product that sounds bad, it is the flaws in the installation.
Are you sure that is the right model number on the Alpine amp?
if so, that is only a 300w peak amp (2ohms mono)
The lowpass filter cuts out the higher frequencies. If your sub is playing an annoyingly high frequency, turn the LPF down a little. For sealed boxes, I would start with ~75Hz, for ported ~50Hz.
The EQ is basically a small boost at an adjustable frequency from 30-200Hz. I would say that somewhere in the neighborhood of 40-45Hz would sound good depending on the box.
The gain is a setting that is used to match the output voltage of the head unit, not the volume. If you have a digital multimeter, you can download this file:
http://www.box.net/shared/uchv4dbk88
follow the instructions to properly set the gain.
SaturnSL2 on 12/11/2008 01:35:10
I believe that's the right model number. It says on the amp itself actually that it's 1200w rated. I have absolutely no idea what anything else you said means, ohms and whatnot. I'm more of a mechanics kind of guy when it comes to cars.
I don't have any problems with really high frequencies, so my random settings for the LP Filter must be okay.
The type of box is plywood I think. It's just a wooden box screwed together with some carpeting on the outside. I did it myself. Also, I don't have a digital multimeter, nor do I have any idea what that is. Sorry for the ignorance when it comes to audio electronics.
swez on 12/12/2008 05:16:54
Ouch! You have a steep learning curve ahead and learn the jargon we use here.
The amp mentioned is rated at 300 watts RMS to a 2 ohm sub. (Nice bass filler if you use the Alpine HU to drive the interior speakers only)
Alpine's 100M is very modest amp at best. Most Sony Subs I have looked at, are 4 ohm subs, so you're getting about 150 watts RMS bass power from this setup. (Not bad, but only 50% of this amps' capabilties)
If you have the desire to upgrade the system at a later time, come here for the real low-down. (Before you buy) In the mean time, enjoy what you have for now and chalk this one up to a major lack of understanding of how things really work in car audio.
We were all newbies at one time too, (But don't stay there for too long) There's a lot more to this game than you might think. Shame on the guy that lead you to these purchases. They should be tarred, feathered and run out of town on an Ass/donkey!
Swez
newB on 12/12/2008 05:54:14
Swez is right- i remember when i was about to buy a 200$ audiobahn pre fab 4th order bp and everybody on this forum straightened me out!!
Don't rush and it will be easy. you should take a pic of the amp for us! GRIN
-Drew
PS you can see in my "stepping it up" thread that i've broken the newb status COFFEE
swez on 12/12/2008 13:09:28
It's Mono channel amp, part of the early V-12 series. Want a few pics?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Alpine-MRV-100M-Car-Amp_W0QQitemZ150308212559QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
Here's the manual for this amp from Alpine. Print or save a copy in your Adobe Reader files:
http://vault.alpine-usa.com/products/documents/OM_MRV-100M.PDF
Swez
PS Since it's an older model, it's likely to be a bit stronger than rated. Some reviews indicate it bench-tests over 300 watts RMS @ 2 ohms. Alpine notes a single 25A fuse. (RMS is the number we really look at... Never Peak.)
swez on 12/12/2008 13:41:04
As for amp settings, follow the instructions in the manual.
1. Set your Low Pass Filter between 80-100 Hz.
2. Use the bass boost feature sparingly (+6 dB max)
3. Gain control as noted in the manual
Got all that?
Swez
Ash on 12/13/2008 07:26:52
I highly suggest a better quality box whether prefab or DIY. One that is made out of 3/4" mdf with proper bracing & sealing is rather easy to build and will outlast & outperform what you have. Plywood isn't a good choice for subs as the material lacks density & strength needed for sub use. I'm quite sure performance is probably suffering a bit due to the light wood.
As for your knowledge, I also suggest reading the "how to articles" under "learn or teach" on this site. Very helpful and will bring you up to speed at least with the terminology you will encounter here. It takes time to know what others here have learned but you got to start somewhere, ya know...
Ash
First off, I have an Alpine 500CDM7874 Head unit, with an Alpine MRV-100M 1200w amp hooked to a 10" 1100w Sony Xplod subwoofer. I'm not sure what to set for the LP Filter, Bass Equalizer, and Gain. It sounds fine as it is with the random settings I have it on, but I'd like to know what might be best.
I know most people scorn at the thought of using a Sony Xplod sub, but honestly I have no problem with it. Any help is much appreciated.
Replies (7)
cplkittle on 12/11/2008 00:05:29
Sony has some nice products, and most of the time it is not the product that sounds bad, it is the flaws in the installation.
Are you sure that is the right model number on the Alpine amp?
if so, that is only a 300w peak amp (2ohms mono)
The lowpass filter cuts out the higher frequencies. If your sub is playing an annoyingly high frequency, turn the LPF down a little. For sealed boxes, I would start with ~75Hz, for ported ~50Hz.
The EQ is basically a small boost at an adjustable frequency from 30-200Hz. I would say that somewhere in the neighborhood of 40-45Hz would sound good depending on the box.
The gain is a setting that is used to match the output voltage of the head unit, not the volume. If you have a digital multimeter, you can download this file:
http://www.box.net/shared/uchv4dbk88
follow the instructions to properly set the gain.
SaturnSL2 on 12/11/2008 01:35:10
I believe that's the right model number. It says on the amp itself actually that it's 1200w rated. I have absolutely no idea what anything else you said means, ohms and whatnot. I'm more of a mechanics kind of guy when it comes to cars.
I don't have any problems with really high frequencies, so my random settings for the LP Filter must be okay.
The type of box is plywood I think. It's just a wooden box screwed together with some carpeting on the outside. I did it myself. Also, I don't have a digital multimeter, nor do I have any idea what that is. Sorry for the ignorance when it comes to audio electronics.
swez on 12/12/2008 05:16:54
Ouch! You have a steep learning curve ahead and learn the jargon we use here.
The amp mentioned is rated at 300 watts RMS to a 2 ohm sub. (Nice bass filler if you use the Alpine HU to drive the interior speakers only)
Alpine's 100M is very modest amp at best. Most Sony Subs I have looked at, are 4 ohm subs, so you're getting about 150 watts RMS bass power from this setup. (Not bad, but only 50% of this amps' capabilties)
If you have the desire to upgrade the system at a later time, come here for the real low-down. (Before you buy) In the mean time, enjoy what you have for now and chalk this one up to a major lack of understanding of how things really work in car audio.
We were all newbies at one time too, (But don't stay there for too long) There's a lot more to this game than you might think. Shame on the guy that lead you to these purchases. They should be tarred, feathered and run out of town on an Ass/donkey!
Swez
newB on 12/12/2008 05:54:14
Swez is right- i remember when i was about to buy a 200$ audiobahn pre fab 4th order bp and everybody on this forum straightened me out!!
Don't rush and it will be easy. you should take a pic of the amp for us! GRIN
-Drew
PS you can see in my "stepping it up" thread that i've broken the newb status COFFEE
swez on 12/12/2008 13:09:28
It's Mono channel amp, part of the early V-12 series. Want a few pics?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Alpine-MRV-100M-Car-Amp_W0QQitemZ150308212559QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
Here's the manual for this amp from Alpine. Print or save a copy in your Adobe Reader files:
http://vault.alpine-usa.com/products/documents/OM_MRV-100M.PDF
Swez
PS Since it's an older model, it's likely to be a bit stronger than rated. Some reviews indicate it bench-tests over 300 watts RMS @ 2 ohms. Alpine notes a single 25A fuse. (RMS is the number we really look at... Never Peak.)
swez on 12/12/2008 13:41:04
As for amp settings, follow the instructions in the manual.
1. Set your Low Pass Filter between 80-100 Hz.
2. Use the bass boost feature sparingly (+6 dB max)
3. Gain control as noted in the manual
Got all that?
Swez
Ash on 12/13/2008 07:26:52
I highly suggest a better quality box whether prefab or DIY. One that is made out of 3/4" mdf with proper bracing & sealing is rather easy to build and will outlast & outperform what you have. Plywood isn't a good choice for subs as the material lacks density & strength needed for sub use. I'm quite sure performance is probably suffering a bit due to the light wood.
As for your knowledge, I also suggest reading the "how to articles" under "learn or teach" on this site. Very helpful and will bring you up to speed at least with the terminology you will encounter here. It takes time to know what others here have learned but you got to start somewhere, ya know...
Ash
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