Jump to content
Sonic Electronix

Shop said they dont use DD1 or Oscope to tune. they do it by ear. Should i trust them?


Recommended Posts

  • Replies 110
  • Created
  • Last Reply

If you are a complete retard and need to be 100% certain you won't blow things up with the dial on your head unit at maximum than you had best get some expensive tool to measure clipping.

The major Achile's Heel of using test equipment to set gains is that it does not take into consideration impedance or huge differences in record levels of various program material. What is to say that when you set your amp gains at 40hz your amp isn't driving a 20 ohm load? Might it perform differntly at another frequency where it sees 1 ohm? When you set with -3dB tone, what happens when you put in something with a clipped 0dB bass line (that was recorded that way?). What happens when you play something that's -10dB?

To make things retard proof you will almost invariably be leaving some power on the table period, end of story.

My Kenwood HU, 1 click of the volume knob = 2dB. I'm very confident that when I keep it 2 clicks down from the point where I hear audible distortion, the amps are well within their safe limits.

In short, if it sounds good, it is good. If you're listening to music you should set levels with your ears, Leave yourself some headroom for low record level music and your ears and the volume knob will be the important bit.

if you're competing you should be setting levels with a termlab because NOTHING else matters but the meter when you're competing and the meter doesn't lie.

Yes, it involves working ears and nose, and some common sense so if you're short on them go ahead and make things retard-proof with other measuring equipment.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you are a complete retard and need to be 100% certain you won't blow things up with the dial on your head unit at maximum than you had best get some expensive tool to measure clipping.

The major Achile's Heel of using test equipment to set gains is that it does not take into consideration impedance or huge differences in record levels of various program material. What is to say that when you set your amp gains at 40hz your amp isn't driving a 20 ohm load? Might it perform differntly at another frequency where it sees 1 ohm? When you set with -3dB tone, what happens when you put in something with a clipped 0dB bass line (that was recorded that way?). What happens when you play something that's -10dB?

To make things retard proof you will almost invariably be leaving some power on the table period, end of story.

My Kenwood HU, 1 click of the volume knob = 2dB. I'm very confident that when I keep it 2 clicks down from the point where I hear audible distortion, the amps are well within their safe limits.

In short, if it sounds good, it is good. If you're listening to music you should set levels with your ears, Leave yourself some headroom for low record level music and your ears and the volume knob will be the important bit.

if you're competing you should be setting levels with a termlab because NOTHING else matters but the meter when you're competing and the meter doesn't lie.

Yes, it involves working ears and nose, and some common sense so if you're short on them go ahead and make things retard-proof with other measuring equipment.

X2 ^^^

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tuning mids and highs by ear can be done without a dd-1 or oscope. But trying to tune a sub by ear is just asking for trouble.

I would never trust a shop that didn't have the basic equipment to properly tune a system.

You think you can hear harmonic distortion with the volume on 1? Only a tool should be used...fuck why do people think ear-o-meters are sufficient.

Yes, i can. I did not say it was recommended. When done on the safe side of things, it can be done. Read and comprehend the post before getting your panties in a bunch.

truthsayer

Link to comment
Share on other sites

how much are they charging you for install if its 100$ then that's why. i know many shops that will charge you 500$ if you want full install

Link to comment
Share on other sites

tuning by ear is FINE. That is only once you have determined what the decks maximum non clipped/distorted output is. You can't do that by ear. You need an O-scope to find clipping or DD-1 to find distortion (which happens even before clipping). Once you know the maximum deck volume and you start to work your way back, you set the amp gains with an O-scope (or DD-1) using industry standard tracks like -5, -10db. Once you know what your maximum (before clipping or distortion is) and you know you are in the safe zone, then i don't see why you can't use your ears to BACK THEM DOWN to where you need them, perhaps to -7db. As long as you know you are in the safe zone at the same point the deck is in it's safe zone, then you should be good. But people that tune PURELY by ear are just guessing. Sorry to break it to you. If it works for you, fine....but you should open your eyes. Perhaps take some training classes. All classes will teach the basics with an O-scope using 0db, -5 and -10.....and almost always using 40hz and 1000hz tracks. Forget the DD-1 (or the outstanding DD-1 PLUS, available now at http://www.wcCarAudio.com :ph34r: ), i say any shop worth a damn should at LEAST use an O-scope.

And the whole setting gains with a DMM is a joke too. If you don't know what point the deck distorts, it is all guess work. Sure you can do some math and figure out what voltage your amp SHOULD put out its max power and go from there. But that doesn't say anything for the source unit nor anything in between the source unit and the amps (x-overs, eq's etc). Using a DMM does not help you set your overlaps either. If you don't understand overlaps you probably haven't had any sort of training and should look into it. :)

anyway, the gain on the amps ONLY job is to be matched to the decks maximum non distorted output. All this "by ear" talk is just people turning up gains and thinking it sounds great. Everyone who has ever pulled up to my shop thinks their shit "sounds great" and they all tuned by ear.

back on topic - if the shop doesn't use at LEAST an oscope, i wouldn't go to them.


All SMD products + MORE available at my store here! https://wccaraudio.com/ 
wc2022-red-black-whitebg_1667625898__08138.original.png.02e514af82dce531edf1aa4a36851c60.png

Subscribe to My Youtube Channel! Over 1,000,000 subscribers strong! Turn on your notifications!
http://www.youtube.com/meade916

 

Follow My Instagram! Daily live feeds from the shop, exclusive content way before it hits my Youtube channel...and little squares with photo's in them :D
http://www.instagram.com/meade916

The Official SMD Facebook fan Page
https://www.facebook.com/SteveMeadeDesigns/

Follow my Tweet (Twitter)
http://www.Twitter.com/meade916
 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've always tuned by ear. Bthen again, I tune for headroom ... not for clipping.

And I've NEVER blown a driver or amplifier.

So it all depends on the application of the install ...

your my bro and all but that doesn't make any sense.

tuning for headroom IS "tuning for clipping"....

the whole point of matching the amp gain to the decks MAXIMUM clean output is headroom.

now im gonna put a smiley face in so you don't think i was being rude. Just telling it like it is :)


All SMD products + MORE available at my store here! https://wccaraudio.com/ 
wc2022-red-black-whitebg_1667625898__08138.original.png.02e514af82dce531edf1aa4a36851c60.png

Subscribe to My Youtube Channel! Over 1,000,000 subscribers strong! Turn on your notifications!
http://www.youtube.com/meade916

 

Follow My Instagram! Daily live feeds from the shop, exclusive content way before it hits my Youtube channel...and little squares with photo's in them :D
http://www.instagram.com/meade916

The Official SMD Facebook fan Page
https://www.facebook.com/SteveMeadeDesigns/

Follow my Tweet (Twitter)
http://www.Twitter.com/meade916
 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

been to a dozen shops locally , all said they tune by ear, no o-scope , & these are the shops that install maybe 80% of the local

systems ! .... ive wasted gas , time & breath . tryin to push the real !!!!!

SMD makes the best products! I bought them all! Click the banner below!

smd-banner_zpsu2ojqise.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Who's Online   0 Members, 0 Anonymous, 235 Guests (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online



×
×
  • Create New...