Head Unit config help

[fazio93]

Ok, so I have a JVC head unit (20 W RMS X4) with stock speakers in an '05 Corolla (6 speaker model; 4 speakers, 2 "tweeters"). The speakers have '17.5 W' and '6 ohms' stamped on the magnet) and I'm guessing 17.5 is RMS and not peak (at least what I read online)? So the head unit has this feature:

"Amplifier Gain Control: When you are using this head unit with factory speakers (or those rated to less than 50 watts peak), the Amplifier Gain Control can limit the amount of power being sent to those speakers. When the Amp Gain Control is set to low, the volume control ranges from 0 (minimum) to 30 (maximum). When using speakers rated higher than 50 watts peak, you can set the Amp Gain Control to high, and the volume control will range from 0 to 50. The internal amp can also be turned of when all the speakers are powered by outboard amplifiers."

I set all the HU equalizers to 0, 'Loud' was off, etc.

I ran the 1kHz tone on repeat. It was a steady tone until I hit volume 31/50. I heard a different tone, almost like a higher pitched tone than the normal tone. Then I tried a 750Hz tone. Same thing, once I hit 32/50 that different tone kicked in. As soon as I go back to volume 30 or below, it stops. At first I though I was hearing clipping, but then I tried it again later on and I don't think it was clipping.

So my question is, was I hearing clipping? I know it's hard to tell when you can't actually hear it, but from what I read online people say you will know when it starts to clip, but it's described as a popping/crackling sound almost. So seeing as how my speakers are rated 17.5 RMS and most likely do not have a peak power of 50W I guess I should set it to low power? I keep switching between the two because I'm not sure if my stocks can handle it, yet I can crank the volume up to ~40 (when set on high power) without any audible distortionow.

This leads me to another problem, like i said above, i can crank it to around 40 before it starts distorting (when playing my mp3 player, using AUX in and some radio stations), but I can only reach about ~25 with a different radio station until it gets too loud and distorts. i have the aux accessory volume control up to max (0-5, set to 5) but my radio stations are usually louder.

i'm just trying to decide on whether to set it to low power or set it to high power and keep 40 as my max.

also, once i decide on my head unit volume, when i set the gain on my amp for my 12" kicker, either i wont be able to reach my amp's full potential b/c i will not be able to increase the volume as much on a radio station, or i will overpower the amp if i have to crank the head unit volume up when using my mp3 player. right?

sorry for the long post, it's just I've asked numerous questions on another car audio forum w.o many responses.

Thanks

[Freshman6969]

first off, thats a FUCK ton to read, i dazed off after awile, not really sure if it was clipping or not, radio stations are bad for setting and/or testing that kinda stuff, due to the diffrent ranges in volume on stations, and for the whole ipod deal, i usally have my ipod volume at full, then set the volume on my h/u ( ive heard it was bad from some people but eh fuck it) but all in all, you confused the fuck outta me...you lost me at about the second paragraph, i picked up tidbits here and there from the rest, im aware id dident help to much but if i did, idid

free bump for anyone who gets this, also helps what kind of h.u with the model number

[fazio93]

It's a JVC KD-S16.