2 ways to set your car amp gain | Crutchfield

Looking for a sure-fire way to set your car amp gains once and never have to touch it again? We'll show you two ways to get your amp set perfectly for your system, so you can get the best sound out of your speakers and subs.

*Method #1* is the most precise. It uses your amp's RMS power rating and some light math (or hopefully, a number you can grab from a spec sheet) to determine the optimal voltage. Using a voltmeter, you connect the leads to your speaker outputs, turn your stereo up to 75% or so, then slowly turn up your amp's gain until it is at or very near the optimal voltage.

*Method #2* is more subjective, since you do it by ear, but it requires no equipment. You again set your stereo's volume to around 75%, but then choose a song you know well and play it through your speakers. Slowly turn up the amp gain until you begin to hear the crackling of distortion, then back off just enough.

0:00 The gain knob is not a volume knob
0:23 Method #1: Set the gain using a voltmeter
1:50 How to determine optimal voltage
2:25 Method #2: Set the gain by ear
3:09 Recap and how to get in touch

[THEOUTSIDERSPORTS]

Best tuning video on YouTube, no marketing just educating/ informative

[cknick]

This is amazingly simple and I didn’t realise! My problem is that I have a multimeter but have no idea what to set it to. It has 19 different settings but none just say AC?!..
Please help…

[bluemonday]

Hello! Great video it was informational and transparent. New to installing car audio equipment and have a question if you don't mind. Will a Remote Bass Control effect anything mentioned in this tutorial? Will I have to adjust differently or no?

[MarcoTopG]

Okay I now know how to tune my gain on my amplifier for my subwoofer, but I when you say go 3/4 on the volume on the radio, what happens if I go above it? Is it just distortion? And can it also be bad for the subwoofer?

[Knight_Glider]

Another easy way to set you gains is voltage × voltage ÷ ohm. I'll have to try it this way too, it sounds like it actually might be easier.

[MaritimeWildlife]

Thanks for the great resource. So we figure out the RMS value based on the speaker rating right? I have a 4 ohm sub. My CXA400.1 amplifier delivers 150 watts RMS at 4 ohm... so 150x4=600, square root of which is 24.49? I should be looking for just over 24V?

[rbspider]

I didn't hear any sound when you were setting the gain by ear? It would be nice to hear good sound vs over diving .

[pium_ENTON]

So if I have a 4 ohm sub and the amplifier is 450 watts rms which multiplied gives me 1800 and the square root of that is 42.42 is that what I have to set my amp gain at?? (Just asking bc it seems a bit risky to me lol)

[El_Basically_]

Where Can I find test tones for a pioneer 4 Chanel 100x4 rms amp? The one on the video is i think got kicker only

[rohitgfv]

I am using a car amp for stereo speakers which is a 3 way 3 unit speaker so what Freq test tone should I go for?

[silvergunn]

What about if the sub is 4ohm and I wire it at 2ohm if I want to calculate the volts i do the math as 4 ohm or 2ohm i am a little bit confused

[xdkila]

Would 50v be right for subs at 2500rms on a ATv2-2300.1d // 2500 Watt RMS Monoblock Car Audio Amplifier? My subs are 1250 rms a piece and 2500 max, my radio is a kenwood DMX7709s but thr subs would be wired down to 1 ohm and the amp is rated 2500 watts rms at 1ohm

[TheDekuStick]

I understand that you've stated the gain is not a volume knob. That is how I've used it. Would someone be able to clear a few things up to help me out?

In my car I have 2 front speakers, 2 rear speakers and 1 subwoofer. I have 1 4 channel amplier. The amplifier runs the 2 rear speakers off 1 channel and the sub off another. The front speakers are run off the head unit.

Because all my speakers are run from different sources, my volumes are different if I set my gain correctly by ear.

How do I correctly set the gain whilst simultaneously also matching the volume levels correctly between all 3?

[bk-]

I didn't hear any music or distortion.

[davinburns]

I have the 5 channel one with a sub, my only question is with my radio you can customize everything like the highs and lows and all that. Should I put those at 0 and then test the gain or does that even matter?

[sk.stuart]

The best way is using the oscilloscope.. the voltmeter is second best however u have to take note that some manufacturers may lie about their specs and you end up unknowingly clipping your equipment.

By ear is just never a wise move. Just no.

[chrisalexander]

I drive a new model chevy malibu with a stock radio with bose surround. I normally listen to it on max volume with no distortion coming from my speakers. Can i adjust the gain at max volume instead of 75 percent? I want the loudest possible bass and voice from my set up as that’s how I listen to it on my daily driving.

[evansmith]

What would be the math for 2 subs at daul 4 ohms and the amp is 1000watts rms for 1 ohm would it be 4x1000 or 1x1000 then the square root ?

[CaseySS]

so when we set it to 3/4 volume, are we maxing out at 3/4 volume from now on? or can we turn it up all the way with our gains now set?

[kb]

Should use a different test tone for you front and rear speakers. My set up is a 4 channel amp, 6.5 component speakers up front, and 6x8 2 way in the rear. I'm also already running a sub if that makes a difference. and should I do anyhting with the low and high pass settings