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How to adjust amp & crossover gain together?

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Old 07-30-2001, 05:16 PM
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How to adjust amp & crossover gain together?

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?
Old 07-30-2001, 06:36 PM
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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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Old 07-30-2001, 10:22 PM
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Thanks very much, I'll try that once I get my new deck.
Old 07-31-2001, 12:55 AM
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[This message has been edited by Belker (edited July 30, 2001).]
Old 07-31-2001, 06:56 AM
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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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Old 07-31-2001, 09:04 AM
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Don't you need an Oscilliscope and tone generator to measure clipping?
Old 07-31-2001, 12:07 PM
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Jim85IROC:
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.

</font>
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.
Old 07-31-2001, 12:20 PM
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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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