adam6604 Posted December 8, 2010 Report Posted December 8, 2010 alright so i want to know how to PROPERLY tune an amplifier, ive seen many videos saying to turn your headunit to 3/4 volume, then with a DMM etc etc, or use a o-scope, but personally i've heard the 3/4 volume idea is false.. and i dont have cash for a o-scope. so can anyone tell me how to properly tune an amp? i have DMM. Alpine headunit 2 12" kicker CVR's 1 Alpine MRP-M500 amp underpowered but its loud Driving my 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 MEGA cab with the 5.7 hemi. Audio: Two 10" Alpine Type R's ( 1000rms models ) Hifonics BRZ 2400.1D @ .5 ohm Two Kinetic 1400 batteries ( soon to have XS power under hood ) Tsunami 1/0 Awg wire throughout truck. Stock Infinity 7 speaker system ( Junk ) soon to be replaced, probably all Alpine. Exterior: 17"Dick cepek rims with 33" Toyo MT tires Bushwacker fender flares Magnaflow true duel exhaust LED tail lights with Projector headlights Plasti-dip fun coming soon!
Ji553r Posted December 8, 2010 Report Posted December 8, 2010 the o-scope is the best. you answered your own question.....they are as cheap as 60$ if you get a DSO nano. i havent seen cheaper yet but the others will prolly last longer. i used a DMM first, then hooked up my oscope when i got it and noticed i was clipping...it didnt surprise me though. I don't fuck around. I go from zero to I hope you die in less than 2 posts build log http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/104524-new-subs-coming-sundown-3500d-arc-audio-cable-lacing-crescendo/
fmedina Posted December 8, 2010 Report Posted December 8, 2010 i used a dmm. Turn volume to 3/4 with everything flat and no bass boost. Slowly turn up the amp until u get to the right voltage
fr34kout Posted December 8, 2010 Report Posted December 8, 2010 the o-scope is the best. you answered your own question.....they are as cheap as 60$ if you get a DSO nano. i havent seen cheaper yet but the others will prolly last longer. i used a DMM first, then hooked up my oscope when i got it and noticed i was clipping...it didnt surprise me though. Listen to this guy. Seriously, every time I see people telling someone to tune their amp with a DMM, I just shake my head. Say your amp does 1k @ 14.4 volts @ 1 ohm, so you wire your D2 sub to 1 ohm and DMM it to put out 1k true power. Unless your electrical is good enough to keep your voltage at a constant 14.4 volts and you have NO box rise (impossible), you will be clipping your signal. It may be a little, it may be a lot, it depends on what your final impedance is. Your 1 ohm load could really be 3 ohms after box rise. If your amp does ~500 watts @ 3 ohms clean, and you set it to put out 1k @ 3 ohms? That's clipping pretty badly.
drmcgills Posted December 9, 2010 Report Posted December 9, 2010 Unless your electrical is good enough to keep your voltage at a constant 14.4 volts and you have NO box rise (impossible), you will be clipping your signal. It may be a little, it may be a lot, it depends on what your final impedance is. Your 1 ohm load could really be 3 ohms after box rise. If your amp does ~500 watts @ 3 ohms clean, and you set it to put out 1k @ 3 ohms? That's clipping pretty badly. Other than having the specifications for the woofer and building to exact (recommended) enclosure specs, is there an accurate way to measure the impedence rise? I was thinking I might hook a DC ammeter in line with the speaker to read current, read terminal volatage with a DMM and see what kind of calculations I get playing sine waves with ohm's and watt's law for power and resistance (but I know resistance is not the same as impedence). This method has got to be flawed, because it seems too easy, so please advise.
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