ok...i know the formula for adjusting your gains is the square root of (power times resistance)...which will give you the voltage you should set outputs to. but this is for a 1 channel amp. how would the equation be different if the amp was two channels? for instance, the arc amp i'm getting puts out 1000 watts @ 2 ohms. so...IF it was a mono amp, it would be:

=> 1000 x 2 = 2000
=> sqrt 2000 = 44.72 volts

also, can i just stick the two multimeter prongs into either channel? or do i half the 44.72 so that each channel reads 22.36 volts?

 

None of that is necessary. Just adjust the gains by ear.

Tony

 

yeah, that's what i've been doing all along. but i guess the voltage method is more accurate on preventing clipping.

 

who the hell told you to do that? first off, how do you plan on testing that? you need a sine wave. i set gains with an oscilloscope, not by ear becuase even the slightest bit of distortion can ruin certain speakers.

 

yeah, i've been reading around over at caraudioforums about gain adjustments. they suggest using a 45 or 50 hz sine wave when doing the tweaking. i don't have an oscilloscope

http://www.caraudio.com/vb/showthread.php?t=63933

 

thats not the best way to do it. try to find someone with an O-scope to help you.

 

I wish I had one, but dam theyre pricey

 

Name one speaker.

Tony

 

No offense, but if you can't tell when your system is clipping, you need to learn how.

If you want to prevent clipping, it's as simple as setting your gains BY EAR so that no matter how high you turn your head unit up, you'll never clip. Just adjust the gain(s) so that at maximum volume there's NO distortion.

Anyone who tells you that you HAVE to set gains with equipment doesn't know what they're talking about.

Tony

 

Tony, just to let you know, you and friendhasmax should just agree to disagree and call it a day. Ive seen him on here before and talked through pm. Hes a friend of Don, and an electrical genious (electrical engineer i think?). He does know what hes talking about, more than most everyone on here. By ear works for me right now because I install at Circuit City and nobody knows the difference at circuit city, but I wish I did know how to set with an oscope. Most people might not notice the difference, but it cant hurt anyway.

 

yeah, i've always tuned my amp by ear and have no problems so far. just thought i'd tried something new this time

 

I've always set up by ear....BUT would love to see some #'s

Hey Eric, how about you bring that nice piece of equipment to the ECA meet I have planned this month. Get my digits right...

 

Tony i meant to say that the slightest bit of clipping, not distortion, can ruin certain speakers and not others. You can certainly tune by ear, i do that most of the time because the O-scope is bulky, but it's obvioulsy not accurate. When i choose to use my O-scope, i obviously get better results.

 

1) Your system might be clipping and you don't even know it until it's too late.

2) Not so simple to just do it by ear and getting optimal performance.

3) You cant always tell by ear when there is clipping.

4) I'd go with the O-scope if i want better reults and optimum level matching.

 

friendhasmax, do you think the multimeter method is worth trying?

 

yea but it usually sets it below where it should be, but it's safe.

 

no because it only give voltages, u need to see the sine waves that go under ond over reference. when the waves start to distort that means the limit of the gain

 

since i know of noone with an oscope i might buy one to use then sell it again.

 

i know, that's why i'm planning to use a 50 hz sine wave.

 

Haha, sorry guys, im new whats clipping?

 

^ya, i reread what u wrote earlier just after i posted, i was a little "sleepy" lol.

 

Oh, okay.

Tony

 

I totally understand wanting to try something new. Sorry...I thought you were under the assumption that tuning by an O-scope was the ONLY way to go.

Tony

 

'sall good.