Audio How-to: Properly Setting Amplifier Gains
10-17-2006, 11:40 PM
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Audio How-to: Properly Setting Amplifier Gains
This is a general howto that I borrowed, but am going to Cut-n-Paste here. The original post can be found here: http://forums.neons.org/viewtopic.php?t=202655
Enjoy
------------
Most audio equipment dies for one simple reason. Most people push their equipment beyond its limits. Whether it is the amplifier, subwoofer or full range speakers, clipping is the number one cause of failure. To prevent clipping, use this tutorial.
To figure out what voltage you should set the gains to:
1. Multiply the RMS power of the amplifiers output by the impedance of the speaker
2. Find the square root of that number. If you are using an amplifier that has an RMS rating of more than your speaker(s) can handle/rated for, then use the RMS rating of the speaker (instead of the RMS of the amplifier) to determine the voltage to set your amp to. This is also referred to as gaining down.
Gain Setting Equation
Voltage of the output = sqrt(RMS Power X impedance of the speaker)
Setting the Gain(s)
To set the gain(s), you need two things:
Here is JL Audio tutorial on their site:
http://www.jlaudio.com/tutorials/Inp...nsitivity.html
Here is some test tones:
http://www.ronelmm.com/tones/
http://www.eminent-tech.com/music/multimediatest.html
For test tones higher than 80Hz, download this program and you can create your own:
Adobe Audition Trial Version
It is best to use 50 Hz tone for a sub amp (unless you have bass boost, use the frequency that is boosted as the tone), and a 1kHz tone for a full-range amp.
This is a good way to set the gains, but if you have access to an oscilloscope, by all means use it. Then you can set the gains to their absolute maximum as you can see when the amplifier clips.
If you are wondering what exactly clipping is, and what it looks like, read this:
http://www.bcae1.com/2ltlpwr.htm
Also, remember a sub can only handle what it can, if you set the amp to its RMS you have to remember that the sub can handle only so much. It is box dependent, but it is best if you are not experienced to follow the manufacturers recommendations.
This tutorial is written for the beginner... if you have experience, you will know what the equipment can handle, and other methods of setting the gain... again, this is a beginners how-to.
Below are a couple examples, and some good questions. Any further questions can be directed to the Interior, Exterior & Audo section of the forums. Please do not PM me.
Enjoy, and remember to thump responsibly!
Enjoy
------------
Most audio equipment dies for one simple reason. Most people push their equipment beyond its limits. Whether it is the amplifier, subwoofer or full range speakers, clipping is the number one cause of failure. To prevent clipping, use this tutorial.
To figure out what voltage you should set the gains to:
1. Multiply the RMS power of the amplifiers output by the impedance of the speaker
2. Find the square root of that number. If you are using an amplifier that has an RMS rating of more than your speaker(s) can handle/rated for, then use the RMS rating of the speaker (instead of the RMS of the amplifier) to determine the voltage to set your amp to. This is also referred to as gaining down.
Gain Setting Equation
Voltage of the output = sqrt(RMS Power X impedance of the speaker)
Example
Say the amp provides 100WRMS into a 4 ohm speaker:
Voltage = sqrt(100W X 4 ohms)
Voltage = sqrt(400W*ohms)
Voltage = 20V
Again, that was only an example, use the ratings of your amp to figure that out.
Say the amp provides 100WRMS into a 4 ohm speaker:
Voltage = sqrt(100W X 4 ohms)
Voltage = sqrt(400W*ohms)
Voltage = 20V
Again, that was only an example, use the ratings of your amp to figure that out.
Setting the Gain(s)
To set the gain(s), you need two things:
1. A DMM (digital multi-meter) that is capable of measuring AC voltage.
2. A test tone CD to use to set the gains at the correct setting.
Now, to set the gain(s):2. A test tone CD to use to set the gains at the correct setting.
1. Start the vehicle and pop the test tone CD in the head unit.
2. DO NOT hook up the sub(s) or speaker(s) to the amplifier while doing this, just leave the outputs unused at this time.
3. Now, time to set up the head unit.
2. DO NOT hook up the sub(s) or speaker(s) to the amplifier while doing this, just leave the outputs unused at this time.
3. Now, time to set up the head unit.
a. If the loudest you listen to your music at on a regular basis is 22/35 with bass @ +3 and treble @ 0 with MX at level 2 (or any other sound processor, MX is an Alpine sound enhancement tool) on, use those settings. NEVER set the volume on headunit to maximum, I recommend never turning the deck up higher than 70-75% of the maximum volume. Some headunits do not clip the outputs at any volume level, but some do.
b. Remember to have the car turned on.
c. If you want to use bass boost on a sub amp, set it prior to setting the gains on the amp and use the center frequency of the bass boost (45 Hz for most amps) as your test tone.
d. Please remember that if you have a subwoofer volume control on the headunit, set it to full before you set the gains on the sub amp.
b. Remember to have the car turned on.
c. If you want to use bass boost on a sub amp, set it prior to setting the gains on the amp and use the center frequency of the bass boost (45 Hz for most amps) as your test tone.
d. Please remember that if you have a subwoofer volume control on the headunit, set it to full before you set the gains on the sub amp.
4. Take the leads from the DMM and but them on the outputs from the amp.
5. Set the gain so that the outputs of the amplifier equal the voltage you found above. This is a MUST.
5. Set the gain so that the outputs of the amplifier equal the voltage you found above. This is a MUST.
Here is JL Audio tutorial on their site:
http://www.jlaudio.com/tutorials/Inp...nsitivity.html
Here is some test tones:
http://www.ronelmm.com/tones/
http://www.eminent-tech.com/music/multimediatest.html
For test tones higher than 80Hz, download this program and you can create your own:
Adobe Audition Trial Version
It is best to use 50 Hz tone for a sub amp (unless you have bass boost, use the frequency that is boosted as the tone), and a 1kHz tone for a full-range amp.
This is a good way to set the gains, but if you have access to an oscilloscope, by all means use it. Then you can set the gains to their absolute maximum as you can see when the amplifier clips.
If you are wondering what exactly clipping is, and what it looks like, read this:
http://www.bcae1.com/2ltlpwr.htm
Also, remember a sub can only handle what it can, if you set the amp to its RMS you have to remember that the sub can handle only so much. It is box dependent, but it is best if you are not experienced to follow the manufacturers recommendations.
This tutorial is written for the beginner... if you have experience, you will know what the equipment can handle, and other methods of setting the gain... again, this is a beginners how-to.
Below are a couple examples, and some good questions. Any further questions can be directed to the Interior, Exterior & Audo section of the forums. Please do not PM me.
Enjoy, and remember to thump responsibly!
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