Noob Questions - Subwoofer Gain etc

[Chris J]

When I got my sub fitted, they set up the dials (gain etc)

The bass has been on half power, gain was around half too and the 40hz-(i think 125)hz one was on the highest number.
Basically, I want more bass, is it fine to just turn up the bass dial to 18db (full) from half way, or do i have to change the gain etc too?

What is the dial from 40hz upwards for?

Also is there a chance it will blow the sub having it on full power?

 

[wallop]

40Hz to 125Hz is the Crossover point, so if yours is set at say 80Hz, then the sub will play all Frequencies below 80Hz at full power, and will 'roll off' above 80Hz in accordance to whatever 'slope' is in use, (usually 12dB in 1/3rd of an octave lol)....

With regards 'Bass' levels & 'Bass Boost' circuits, should usually be set at 'OFF' or 'Minimum' because they usually operate at only a narrow frequency so make the bass sound unnatural.....

With regards 'Gain' level, can't really offer any advice here, I have no idea what your head units pre-out voltage is supposed to be, or in fact what the head unit actually 'clips' at....Would need to be there in person to set it up myself.....

Will it blow the sub; Quite possibly, but again I have no idea what the sub is or what output power the amp is.....I would lean towards the 'be careful' side of the fence....

 

[Chris J]

cheers.
There are three dials on the back, gain, crossover, and the bass one, if i put the bass on 0db the sub is just off, it has been at half way, and now i want to put it to full volume (18db)

Its an Active Sub if that makes a difference, not too powerful (250w rms i think)

I think Ill leave the gain, but am interested in the other two.
Would it sound better if the crossover was at, say 80, rather than 125?

 

[Chris J]

night bump anyone?

 

[Struggler]

it will sound completely different if you move the cross over dial,
at 50hz (usually the lowest setting)
the amp will amplify any frequency below 50hz (deeeep bass)

at 125hz (highest) the amp will amplify all frequency below 125hz,
that will normally catch some bits that arnt bass, so usually around 80hz is the right point,

as for the bass boost, set it to the lowest, its a chav setting, it works by upping the gain at certain frequencies, inverably it will distort the sound and create some bad bass sounds. because its using gain as volume to add loudness to spercific frequency bands.


The Gain is designed to set the amp to the voltage of your headunit,
basically, a headunit with a 2v preout, will use more gain than a headunit with a 5v preout at the volume you listen to music at, if set too high for the type of sign, the amp will 'clip' (also common if your wiring kit is not up to scratch)

if you imagine a sound wave, (even squiggly line) then make it go flat at the top an bottom, thats basically what a clipped signal looks like. Though with bass sounds, you will not notice the difference, this type of signal puts incredible strain on the subs voice coils.

volume is on your headunit, GAIN IS NOT VOLUME,
gain is to set up your amp to work in harmony with your headunit,
so unless your gain is currently set too low, i would suggest leaving it.
if you want more thump, i suggest you think about sellin up and upgrading,

to tweek the gain, worst happens u kill a sub, this is what i do lol.

bit of a rant lol
hope this helps