ok there are 1000s of gain settings and crap everywhere i know the rules somewhat,but here are my questions?
My HU(kenwood mp342u) has sub level adj,bass boost besides the normal stuff,my amp (alpine 500),also has bass eq,gain and xover.
so when i turn up the hu to max non distorting volume,do i turn down everything to 0 or neg?then turn it all up?same with the amp,turn it all down then turn up the gain till its starts to distort,then i turn up the sub level on the headunit and bass eq on the amp ?There are 3 diff bass settings i can use for the amp so how do i do that?
Using a voltmeter be easier?I have one so if it would be better how do i use that?
Thanks and go ahead and make fun if you want,lol

 

Try one of these threads:

http://www.audiogroupforum.com/csfor...archid=1413018

 

thanks i will sign up there and hope to get some answers,i have so many settings between the HU and amp i dont know what to set where!

 

You always start at the source and work your way towards the amp. Gain is not a volume control. It is to match all devices and get the best signal from each without clipping.

 

yea i know,but but when i set the gain,do i turn the subpreout level to neg,bass to neg,mid,treble... on the HU when i turn it up to find the distortion point?then with all the settings on the amp turned down,start turning the gain up till distorting?
confused bout that cause when you turn those things back up the speakers may not go as loud with the bass and all up to where it sounds good.

 

Best way is with a test tone cd and scope.

 

Care to enlighten, or maybe a link. I have access to a scope, and am sure I can find a test tone CD. TIA

 

Look up. Link already provided.

Here :

http://www.audiogroupforum.com/csfor...ting+procedure

and:

http://www.bcae1.com/settinggainswithscope.htm