How to tune an amp with just a multi-meter in 5 easy steps!

If you don't have fancy equipment then this is an easy way to tune for both bass and mids and highs with just a simple multi-meter. You can pick up an inexpensive multi-meter to do this with on Amazon or Harbor Freight for under $10. Follow these 5 easy steps and you'll be in a better position to preserve your speakers vs just an ear tune. Of course, using a scope or a SMD DD1 is much better but this is a cheap easy way to tune.

[themeeksproject]

now this is what you call an alternative....thanks for the effort and the info itll be a tech again

[torrescesar]

You should compare the dd1 vs the multimeter to see how close they can get

[trendytoks]

Extraordinary. It works perfectly in clean tone. Thanks a lot.
Subscribed after the results.😊

[michaelpearson]

Would you set the ohm for what the speaker is rated or the ohms that you would wire them?

[jesxsssss]

Why don’t you use a -5db test tone for the mids and highs and a -10db test tone for the bass. If the amp is bigger than the subs using a -7.5db test tone would be best. Using the 0db test tone won’t get the full potential of the amp. Most of the songs aren’t even recorded at 0db anyways.

[julesbruchez-theartofgrapp]

Also if you’re amp has a clipping indicator should you still use this method to ensure power is set correctly?

[ah]

He forgot to mention to use the power output number you want. If you amp does 200 watts rms but you only want 75 watts. Use 75 watts in the equation.

[robertcamp]

Can you tell me if I add my speakers rms together before working this summer out. I have two 4ohm 45w rms speakers in series (8ohm circuit)
Would I do as suggested: 1) 45x4ohm square root
Or 2) 90 total rms of both speakers then times by 4 ohms and square root that.

Or 3) 90w total x 8ohm that it’s on then square root that.

And then to be extra difficult. There’s 2 Channels each running 2 sets of 45w rms speakers powered by the one gain control therefore do I then add all 4 speakers rms to then work out the sum.
Option 4) 180total watts rms x 4 ohm as say should be 4 ohms speakers find the square root of that.
Or finally 5) 180 watt total rms of all 4 to the one gain control x by 8 ohm as they’re on the 8 ohm resistance circuit being paired in series
Then find the square root of that.

Please help haha

[kevinlove]

Sorry if I sound dumb but how about if I’m using 2 dual 4ohm subs wired in series parallel at a 4ohm load each sub is 250w rms, would I be doing 500x4 or 250x4

[Watchingyou-daily]

How is this different when tuning with a DSP amp like the JBL 4086

[tonychg]

Should i turn all the way up in my addition PREAMP to set my 4ch amplifier GAIN.?
Which mode to choose to set a proper GAIN..
EXP: LPF, HPF, FULL..?

[MichaelRussell-db]

Sorry novice here, just a little confused about when you did the sub adjustment vs speakers, from your calculations you were chasing 31.62 for the sub but on the multimeter, but you adjusted to 3.17 so assuming 3.17 volts not 31.62 but then when doing the speakers adjustment you were chasing 14.14 and you adjusted to 14.86 volts? is there a difference between sub vs speakers when looking at the multi-meter settings if that makes sense?

[aefiend]

Electromotive force is Voltage, not current. Current is measured in amperes aka amps.

[julesbruchez-theartofgrapp]

Do you set the crossover first before setting the gains?

Also, what if you run a DSP before the amplify? Will you set up a DSP and you set up all the crossover points and sum signals.

But I set up the DSP set my summing signals set my channel paths and set all my crossovers then adjust the gain sensitivity on the amplifiers? It’s simple to do with my JL audio or D 900/5 because it has a clipping indicator.

But if I run my DSP set all the crossover points do I have to turn the subwoofer crossover point off and the set the inputs sensitivity on my subwoofer amp? Or can I keep the crossover setting done in the DSP and still set the gain sensitivity on the for amp ?

[DavidCastillo-qixk]

I have 2 2 homs kicker 12inch handles 500 watts rms are parallel at 1hom....do i add 500 × 2 =1000?.. and get the square root

[rackbrown]

Do you read the voltage out with the speakers connected or not connected to the amp?

[Antwuannefuller]

I have 10 ds18 8 inch mid-range speaker the RMS 275 watts per speaker at 4 ohm so do I do 275 x 4ohm are add all ten speaker together with is 2, 750 x4ohm

[chavezandres]

Dont tune with a zero db ton unless youre building a true high end sound quality build. Oven for an sql build you want to use like a negative 4db 40hz tone for bass for some overlap. If you have a bass knob with Clip indication it will help you get the most out of your setup. All songs are recorded different. If you tune with a 0 db tone a lot of the songs will be lacking bass.

[thomasgianakouros]

After tuning can you then turn up the bass boost and other things? Or is it best to leave that all off? Thanks for the great video!

[christerfer]

What about three dvc subs @250rms 2 ohms. There 6.5 inch woofers