How do I tune my amp/subwoofers?

Question

I have a 2 channel amp with 375 watts rms per channel. My sub woofers are 300 watts rms each. My head unit has a control for the subwoofers and the bass. My amp has a frequency control, low pass filter, gain control, and bass boost switch.

What would be the best way to tune this setup, it is giving me a headache.

Answer 1

the way i do it is you turn your head unit up to max volume or as loud as your gonna be listening to it, then adjust the gain and what not on amp unitl you get distortion then back it iff until it sounds clean, just listen and use your ears until you think it sounds right,. that way your amp is tuned to your subs at max volume with the least amount of distirtion and will give you longer speaker life and better sound Also if you go to www.crutchfield.com and go to learning section they have the same thing i told you but in better detail and its very informative site.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How do I tune my amp/subwoofers?
I have a 2 channel amp with 375 watts rms per channel. My sub woofers are 300 watts rms each. My head unit has a control for the subwoofers and the bass. My amp has a frequency control, low pass filter, gain control, and bass boost switch.

What would be the best way to tune this setup, it is...

Answer 3

the traditional meaning of 'tuning' your system is to set the equalization so that you have a fairly consistent volume across as much of the audio spectrum as possible.
So the first thing you need is an audio source that provides that reference. Some people claim to be able to do it with a collection of their favorite CDs, but certainly not most of us. It's easier to get a sound test disc that has a frequency sweep track. No need to spend a lot. there are plenty on eBay. Just look for your test disc to have a 20hz to 20k hz (or similar) sweep. Such a track is usually about 2 minutes long.
Now to judge the level. The proper way is with a sound pressure level meter. However these are expensive and most people don't buy them for themselves. If you can find to borrow, great.
Still, judging level by ear is easier than judging frequency, so you'll probably be fine just listening.
Set the head unit EQ controls to flat.
play the sweep track (you'll end up playing this track more than 100 times and you'll likely end up hating it)
the first thing is to make sure your subs and other speakers trade off at the same crossover point. run the first part of the track, from 20hz to about 500~1000hz.
adjust the amp level till the volume seems more or less consistent. This matches the amp output to the head unit output. this will be a very low setting.
Then go to the cutoff point adjustment on the amp. Your head unit is probably starting to engage the door/ deck speakers around 60~80hz, unless you have an adjustment available. If there is a point early in the track where the volume spikes then the sub and other speakers are probably both outputing. drop the cutoff point on the amp adjustment till that goes away.
If there is a dropout, then the inverse is true, and there is a point where neither are outputting well. Raise the cutoff point.
After a few dozen tries the volume level should seem to stay consistent from the start of the track till the 'midrange', starting at about 1kz~1.5khz. Then adjust the midrange EQ control to keep the volume level consistent. you'll probably have to turn it up since lower frequencies seem louder to the ear.
And then the same again for the tweeters.
Once there seems to be a flat volume respnse accross all frequencies make a note of all the settings.
Now do the whole thing over with the windows down (or up if they were already down). You will perceive a difference, especially in the higher frequencies. Be aware of this difference in the future.
If you're really dedicated, you can now do the previous adjustments while driving. Again, there will be a change in frequency response.
So, pick what your're going to be doing most of the time (sittting or driving, windows up or down) and commit the settigns to memory. That is as good as you're going to get 'tuning'. Set it as your 'user' eq preset.
Next, you will probably want to deviate from a good tuning. With that much power to play with you'll probably want to increase the bass. Do this with the head unit adjustment so that you don't have to fiddle with the amp every time.
when you increase the bass you may find rattles in the car that are caused by resonant frequency matching. track them down and tighten screws or add dynamat.
After a couple of days work your system should sound as good (to you) as one coming out of an audio shop.

Answer 4

LISTEN THE GAIN IS NOT A VOLUME KNOB DONT JUST ADJUST IT SLIGHLTY UNDER DISTORTION, find out the preamp output voltage for your head unit and set the gain at that, no higher maybe a little lower since your amps stronger than the speakers, if you go higher when you turn it up its gonna start clipping. the subsonic filter should be set at the tuning of your box so your subs dont unload and fry themselves(they can do this even when not pushed at full power). I would set the lowpass filter at 150hz, everything else is up to your personal prefference just play with it untill you get the sound you like, all the stuff i specifically told you is to keep you from destroying your stsyem, other than that nobody can tell you what your personal sound preferance is. If you dont already know just play with it untill you find out

Answer 5

Would like to know this too

Answer 6

can someone tell what is the right answer for this question?