How To Set Amp Gain to Match Lower RMS Subwoofers? | Car Audio Q & A

Watch as Allyn explains how to calculate the voltage needed in order to match an amplifier's gain perfectly to subwoofers which have a lower wattage than the amplifier. He also explains how to use a digital multimeter to set your amp's gain to properly match your subwoofers.

In addition, he used our SMD amplifier dyno to test the amp to make sure that it is doing the needed RMS power.

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[Joshuazico]

I love when someone explains something so i can actually understand instead of wasting time rambling about nothing

[tonydize]

Most people only show you how to set it to clipping point instead of matchin the power to subs like this man does great job I know that's an old video but it continue to help people

[Makukeisari]

Before watching this i was constantly setting the gain because the music sounded wrong and bad quality. Today i took the time to properly set the gain with this method, the difference is huge! No matter how loud i want to listen, it never sounds distorted and the actual music quality is superb! :)

[numinous]

When you do this, apply your amp changes when the car is running. A fully charged battery is only ~12.5v. When your car is running, you'll see ~13.4-14.4v, depending on your voltage regulator. DON'T use this method with the car off, otherwise when your car is on and you're actually pushing, say, 14v, for instance, you'll be over your RMS power goal. Also, check the actual impedance at the speaker wire ends. A wired 2-ohm sub may measure 2.4 ohms, or it could measure 1.7, etc. Use measured numbers instead of theoretical ones when you use the equation.

[freakenstein]

Damn bro, shoulda been a teacher. I followed along attentively the whole time. Great work.

[brianc.]

This video helped me out immensely! I used this technique to set the sub gain as well as the 4 channel with a 1kHz tone, and the results were phenomenal. The bass sounds great, but even more than that, my cabin speakers (all Type R) sound the best they ever have. I'm hearing details I've never heard before, and with all 4 set properly, there's a synergy and a chemistry between them and I believe I'm hearing them the way they were designed to be heard by Alpine. It's also a great feeling to be sitting in the driver's seat at the stereo controls and knowing that everything is set as it should be, and being confident in knowing how much headroom I have when listening to music recoreded at slightly different levels because I saw the DMM readings for myself rather than having someone else do the install for me. Thank you guys so much... you're the best!

[jmc]

Alan I've become a fan and subscriber of the channel over the past year and its always impressive when a host will not only answer the question but "take it a step further" to test the theory and alleviate ALL doubt!  Well done and keep up the good work!  JMc from Big D!

[FlaccidFella]

These comments aren't lying bro. I've looked this up multiple times and couldn't understand a bit of it but the way dude explained it could not be simpler in my opinion

[chriscape]

this was the most informative video I've ever seen on this subject, I already knew the method intimately, but I've never been able to explain it, I'll just show this video, thank you

[dodgeoboy]

Thank you so much!!! THIS WAY TOO SIMPLE, I tuned my 5 channel amp using this method. tuned my sub to 40hz and my front/rear @1khz setting it to factory projected RMS with my deck set 0 accross the board. After that setting my internal deck x-overs became a SNAP!!! Crystal clear at max volume, without piercing my ears, was able to sing "ABC" at my normal speaking level and not hear my own voice.
Kenwood eXcelon 998
Rockford Fosgate P1000X5
Focal access 165AS front/rear
KICKER 40CWRT671 x2

[gilbertogutierrez]

Would you guys mind making a video about different test tones (0db, -3db, -5db etc. ), explaining the difference between them and explaining gain overlap. What it is and how we can use it. I'm sure it would be very helpful for a lot of people. By the way, great video!

[rockimmi]

THIS IS THE BEST PLACE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CAR AUDIO..

[robertstorms]

I was literally just looking for this info and it randomly popped up on my recommendation. Thanks for the help guys.

[domanater]

This man right here should have been a teacher. Very easy to follow

[blade]

Great video but what I have always done is turn the volume up on the head unit to just before distortion and then increase the gain on the amplifier until I hear the sub a start distorting and then back off The Gain Slightly

[TheBarrios]

Man!! You saved me the hassle of doing the math. The last(I was hoping you would do the equation) 600x2 equation and you made my day and night! Thanks so much. Usung my volt meter tomorrow to get 34.64 on my Xtr orion 1500.d

[somanynamesilltrythis]

I hated math when I was in school. Later in life I became a CNC machinist and now I'm learning how to properly dial in my amp thinking, yea I guess I did need to know the basics back then haha.

[PhiMobileSounds]

Don't forget to set your crossovers before testing so that you can read your 50 or 60 Hz test track.

[sfv]

Always hard to find good answers with visual proof. This video makes spending the money on a really good amp possible without breaking the bank on higher end drivers. (Can always upgrade later when you got the cash!) Really appreciate it!

[darkday]

Awesomeness...was looking around how to do this. Thanks for the info :D