I have a LC6i Sound processor and a pioneer Pioneer GM-D9500F rated at 75x4 rms and right now I only have the rear speakers hooked up which are alpine spr57c's rated at 100w rms. I have the stock nav/snyc head pushing this and I'm having trouble keeping them from clipping. I have the LC6i not just under the half way point and the gain on the amp turned under the recommended "mark" on the gain dial which is well under half. I still cannot turn up the head all the way without having the speakers cut out. In my previous truck I had infiniti's on a kicker amp at 100w rms and they were very loud. This new setup does not sound anywhere near "3/4" the sound of my old setup even before the clipping begins. maybe this amp just sucks? I would appreciate any tips on setting this up correctly thanks

 

First you need to start at the HU and find the loudest point just before it clips. You wont be able to turn the head unit up all the way before it clips.
Then you do the processor followed by the amp. This is best done with test tones and a scope but can be done by ear if you are careful. You can blow speakers.
A recommended mark on the amp would be nonsense because the amp manufacturer will not know what devices you are plugging into it. Gain is NOT volume. It is for matching all your devices.

 

Exactly what Norm said. The easiest way is to disconnect everything but the set of speakers on the gain you are working on. Turn the gains all the way down and then turn your radio up to about 3/4 volume. Now, turn up the gain to just the point of clipping, then turn back the gain just slightly. Do this for all your speakers and gains. This should be all you need to do.

 

Turn all boosts off and set your eq to flat. Turn your subs off also. Turn the radio up
3/4 of the way, turn the gain up until the speakers clip, then turn it down a little.

Its not going to be as loud because as you say, you only have rear speakers hooked up and underpowering them. Bridge the amp to 2 channels and move those speakers to the front doors and you will notice a complete change.

 

thanks for the help, I'll definatley try that tonight...the front speakers should be here any day. They are the "Matching" alping spr components. When they come should I set the gain seperatly for these as well? Also, this is a dumb question but while we're on the subject, What exactly is clipping? I've never really had to deal with it in a system until now. Thanks again.

 

The speakers will sounds like crap. It will be noticable. You might have more of a problem because your underdriveing your speakers.
You should always make sure your amp is pushing => speaker rms. (equal or greater then) Generally its better to be greater then so your amps have headroom allowing gains to be set lower and less chance for distortion.

 

IMO get a bigger amp.

 

Yeah I'm beginning to wish I had just bought a bigger one. I was hoping to get by with this one because its pretty small and the price was right but if theres one thing I've learned over the years in audio, you get what you pay for. O well, for now I'll probably just have to settle for less than I was hoping for

 

You just wont get the sound output or performance your going to expect.

 

http://forums.neons.org/viewtopic.php?t=202655

If you dont have access to an oscilloscope (and know how to use it) this is the only basic way I know to check what is going to the speakers.

 

That is a great way to set your gains! That is something new to me! I always set by ear, but this is great for people who have amplifiers pushing less power than a speaker can handle. Thanks for the information!!!

 

Most people dont have fancy equipment sitting around to do that which is why i dont recommend. If you dont know how to set gains by ear, i doubt ur going to know how to do it with fancy electronics. Always try to keep thing simple stupid

 

I did what yall recommended to set the gains and it definitely helped. I am get excellent sound at 3/4 volume but one click past that and they are clipping...is this normal? Should I just never listen past 3/4 volume? by reading that alternate method of setting gains it sounds like maybe its my head unit clipping? Thanks again for the help

 

Yes that is normal. If you want it louder get a bigger amp.

 

You could turn the gains down lower which would make allow your head unit volume to go up, but your speakers wouldnt get any louder.

Be patient and wait for your front speakers before you get too crazy.