Gain Question

[audioman21]

I searched the forum but didn't see an answer for this. I have a JVS Arsenal deck that puts out 5 volts. The amps are two Elemental Designs Nine.1's strapped which have 5 volt max input on them. I only have the gain under a quarter of the way up and anything past that the subs get smelly and kinda hot, they are two DC level fours with level five coils btw. Question is, beings that deck output is five volts and the amp will take five volts max shouldn't I be able to turn up the gain more without the clipping? I set it with a dmm until I get an oscilloscope on it.

[Neo_frog]

I searched the forum but didn't see an answer for this. I have a JVS Arsenal deck that puts out 5 volts. The amps are two Elemental Designs Nine.1's strapped which have 5 volt max input on them. I only have the gain under a quarter of the way up and anything past that the subs get smelly and kinda hot, they are two DC level fours with level five coils btw. Question is, beings that deck output is five volts and the amp will take five volts max shouldn't I be able to turn up the gain more without the clipping? I set it with a dmm until I get an oscilloscope on it.

Well nothing will tell you that you're clipping other than an O-scope. Remember that not only do you have to check the amp for clipping, but also the head unit. And a DMM isn't very reliable when it comes to setting the output wattage, it just gives you an idea of where you're at assuming you have all the impedances matched with the amp.

What amp are you running?

[audioman21]

Two Elemental Designs Nine.1 strapped. Yeah with the dmm I'm just guestimating the output range. I know someone with an o-scope, I just wont get to use it until this summer when I get done putting this car together. I built a correct size box and everything. I just figured that I should be able to get more with the gain barely being up and the subs getting smelly. All the bess boosts and things like that are off too.

Could my high and low pass filter settings be playing a part in that you think? How is the headunit checked for clipping also?

[Neo_frog]

Two Elemental Designs Nine.1 strapped. Yeah with the dmm I'm just guestimating the output range. I know someone with an o-scope, I just wont get to use it until this summer when I get done putting this car together. I built a correct size box and everything. I just figured that I should be able to get more with the gain barely being up and the subs getting smelly. All the bess boosts and things like that are off too.

Could my high and low pass filter settings be playing a part in that you think? How is the headunit checked for clipping also?

Hmm...Well it's possible your subsonic could be too low or box tuned too high. Unloading the subs can make the coils hot as well. Tune it about 5hZ under box tuning.

You can either make some RCA break outs as they call it, or you can just measure the channel by touching the + to the middle of the RCA and ground to the shell. I just check each channel even though it's not required. (Only required to check one from each portion)

I have a set of RCAs that I cut to expose wires to make it easier. Especially if you have the alligator clip leads from the o-scope. You can do a male end into the head unit or you can use a female end before the amp and test each channel. 1kHz for highs and 50hZ for lows generally unless you have EQs. Then you have to check each band after the EQ as well.