You might have seen my other post regarding connecting up a crossover box. I've been searching thru the message archives about adjusting gain, and I really haven't found an answer to my question. If I have a crossover box, how would I go about adjusting the gain? I am thinking that I would want to set the gain on the amps to the highest setting and then use the gain control on the crossover to adjust it. Is this how it is to be done?

Set your amps at 1/2 power. Set your deck the manufacturers preferred output level for EQ or X-over input (if you don't know this, set it to about 2/3)

Then set your X-over from 1/2 to 3/4 (I don't recommend maxing it out)

The idea is to adjust output power at the first amp device (your X-over)...use the actual amps last. It may take awhile to get the desired sound, but just keep tweaking it. Hope this helps

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92 Camaro RS, LO3, 5-spd, T-tops

Performance:
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Electronics:
Alpine 8030 Alarm System, Valentine One Radar Detector (How did I ever drive without one?), Pioneer DEH 7450 Head Unit w/6-pack CD changer, Pioneer DEQ 7600 Sound Processor, 2 Kenwood KAC-846 Amps powering 2 12" Pro Red subs, 2 Pioneer 6x9 and 2 MTX 4x6 speakers.
NEXT UP: TBI mods, 3.42 gears w/Torsen posi

Thanks very much, I'll try that once I get my new deck.

.

[This message has been edited by Belker (edited July 30, 2001).]

The proper way to do it is to bring the output of the head unit up until it clips, then back off slightly. Then bring the output of the intermediate piece (in this case a crossover) until the signal clips, then back off, then finally raise the gain of the amp(s) until clipping or speaker distortion, then back off.

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Don't you need an Oscilliscope and tone generator to measure clipping?

So is your system adjusted properly if your amps and X-over are maxed out to begin with and your head unit/speakers start clipping when the volume level is set to...lets say 3?

Your stated intent is good, but you have to turn down everything to at least mid-range before you start.

I never said to max them out when you start. I figured people would have enough common sense to realize you start low then turn it up to a specific value. Apparently I assumed too much.


An o'scope would be nice but it can be done by ear. As soon as you can hear the distortion, you trim it back to where it's clean and maybe a tad more.

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The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah