thanks...trying to wrap my head around all that.... I got my input on my amp around 50%. With the volume at around 21-24, there is no clipping. I upped the gain until the "clip" light started flickering, then backed down until it was not flickering at all. I then upped the gain from the HU, and it started clipping again, so I downed the amp gain some more, until it stopped clipping. I am not able to go from +0 to +13 without clipping. The bass sounds good too. I can also further adjust this with the overall "Bass" setting (currently at -3 or -4). I can go all the way up to +2 without clipping. Sounds good. I basically tried to get it I ge the maximum signal input possible without clipping. Then used the gains to tune finely.

John

 

p0pe,
I am re-reading my writing about adjusting LOC and amp gains, it was written for 2 pairs of speakers and a powered subwoofer. It is too complicated for your system, I will simplified the steps you will needed to adjust your system and post it later today.

iwa4378,
The importance factor about how much power you should buy the external amp (if you ever need it) to drive your speakers is: how loud are you ever listening to the music at all conditions and how sensitive is your speakers ?

Let have an example: your speakers is Polk db650 with sensitivity of 92dB, RMS power handling is 60W and your maximum listening is moderately loud at 105dB (this 105dB may not be adequated with top down and speed of 80MPH or faster). Which amp should you buy ? 40W or 60W or 80W or 120W ? or can you get by with 30W amp ? (all Watts here are RMS)
The answer is, 30W amp will more than adequately producing clean sound at 105dB with very little or no distortion. Any amp with more power than 30W will not produce cleaner sound that you can hear than the 30W amp. Why is this possible ? Because your volume is fairly low at 105dB, the Polk db650 needs only 20W to produce that sound pressure level and the 30W is already 50% more than it is needed.
Now, if you like to listen to music at louder level, something like 108-109dB, then you will need an amp that can generate 60WRMS or more to be able to produce clean sound at 108dB.
If your listening level is no more than 102dB ever, than you do not need external at all, most after market HU can produce clean 12-15WRMS or more (up to about 20WRMS), because the Polk db650 needs only 10WRMS to produce 102dB.

 

p0pe,

These are the steps that will tune your system.


1. Set your amp gain(s) at minimum, select HPF and 50Hz.

2. Set you LOC gain(s) at minimum.

3. Set you stock HU volume at about 3/4 of maximum, i.e., if your volume maxed out at 40, then set your volume at 30.

4. Slowly increase your amp gain(s) until you start to hear distortions or the music is too loud, mark that position, then decrease your amp gain(s) to half way between that position and the minimum (minimum is zero and the marking is 100, then you should adjust your amp gain(s) back to 50).

5. Slowly increase your LOC gain(s) until you start to hear some distortions or the music is too loud, mark that position, then decrease your LOC gain(s) by 1/3 (minimum is zero and the marking is 100, then you should adjust your LOC gain(s) back to 67). At this level, your LOC output signals are very clean.

6. Adjust your HU volume down to 25 (assume that it was set at 30 in step 3 above).

7. Slowly increase your amp gain(s) until you start to hear distortions OR the music from your speakers is very very loud, decrease your amp gain(s) about 1/2 of the position in step 4 above and this new position.

8. Select FLAT on your amp.

With these steps, your normal listening volume should be at 25 or lower, your maximum level should not be above 30.

Have a great weekend.

 

Thanks man, you too!!!

 

dead on...

thanks for doing the writeup.

 

Sweet! Got it all installed and it sounds great. Thanks again for the help.

 

good deal and no problemo.

awwwww.... jeez, i just now realized you were in Lafayette. heck, i could have done this one for ya.

you coming to the July meet today?

 

Doh! Didn't know there was a meet this month or I would have gone, guess I need to check the NOLA forum more often.

BTW- The Polk db650 speakers sound great. Awesome highs and mids. Very crisp and clear sound, especially for $100 speakers. I had to dial back the treble some because they're overwhelming on full high. Now all I need is a subwoofer...

 

glad to hear the Polks sound good.

and yeah, it was a fun meet and a good time was had by all.

 

p0pe,
I saw that you are in Lafayette, but I did not know how far it is from Baton Rouge, home of the Master. I should told you that if you could meet PJK3 at one of the NOLA meet, he can tune your system to the best of its capability. Following my steps might kept your amp from destroying your speakers and improve your sound somewhat, but your system may not perform as well as it could be.

Well, at least your system is performed better than before and there is very little chance, if any, that your amp will blow up your speakers, if you kept the volume level at less than maximum level of 30.