i was wondering whether it is my trunk rattling or my sub distorting. i'm running a jl audio 10w3 sub with a rockford fosgate 600a4 amp which pushes about 300rms. i really hope i didn't buy the wrong sub.

(i'm thinking i should've bought the infinity perfect 10.)

 

gain setting on the amp

crossover setting

wiring stratagy

It probably isn't the sub. It sounds like you are just overlooking something. I prefer the JLs over Infiniti

 

JL's are good subs, and the W3's should be able to handle that kind of power. Amax935's suggestion of checking the gain is the first thing I'd check. Also, what else is in your system before it gets to the amp?

 

What are you using as your source signal? I saw your head unit question down below, chances are that if you have an adaptor with gain varience, and it makes tweeking that much more complicated.

 

I have JL w3's too. They don't really distort. It's probably the trunk rattle

 

Saw amax's post, and although I said this in your other thread, using a deck and RCA's gives notable improvement.

 

i have a 4 channel line level converter that i do believe is adjustable. could that be the problem? or am i just hearing things?

 

Try opening the trunk and playing at a level where you here distortion. . . If you still hear it with the trunk open, it is more than likely the sub, but I am doubting it.

 

yeah I forget the best tuning clue but I would start by listening with the trunk open, put the amp gain on about one half way, turn the preout down to like 1/4, turn up the volume on the head (to a high listening level)and tweak up the preout gain to the point where you just start to hear distortion. cut the preout gain back a c.h., and then just fine tune with the amp gain as needed.

 

I had a 10W6 with a unique manufacturing defect, and I'm waiting on my replacement. THere is an O shaped ring on the Magnet structure that came loose. It rattled at high volumes.

Other considerations... with such a good woofer and such high power, make sure you're not hearing something in your trunk vibrating, if your problem only happens at high volume.