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Bass control knob + head unit control

Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 9:35 pm
by NViejeP
I ntoiced that when the shop installed my amplifer, they left me a bass control knob, it's all hooked up and everything and ready to use. However, I haev a control on my headunit to control bass.

If I leave the bass control knob in, how will that work? Will both of them be able to control the bass, so I should just leave the bass on the head unit the same level and use the knob or vice versa?

Should I just take the bass control knob out?

Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 9:57 pm
by Robert Wollenberg
I would use the head unit control to balance the system with the other one off, then use the one with the amplifier to pump up the base when you want to. And if you're really trying to blow some stuff up, then crank everything up! lol. Seriously though, that's how I would do it.

Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 10:24 pm
by NViejeP
Yah I know. That would work right? Two controls working simultaneously? (Did I spell that right?)

Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 10:58 pm
by GlassWolf
leave the bass knob at zero/flat.
set the bass on the head unit where you want it, then leave it.
if you want a bit more bass for a song or track, just use the knob from then on and leave the head unit as a reference setting.

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 5:31 am
by Justin from Detroit1
What kind of amp? Some higher end amps have a remote GAIN know instead of bass, and that is a whole different ballgame there.

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 5:39 am
by NViejeP
Kicker KX550.3

The knob says Bass Level.

And whil you brought up the gain.. what is gain? What is the xover frequency? I noticed that the shop set it for me.. but when I install my sub on my own, I need to be able to adjust it myself..

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 1:24 pm
by JeremyC
gain = Set to adjust the input stage on the amp to the output stage on the headunit. So the higher the output voltage on the deck, the lower you set the gain.

X-over = Used to cut the freqs going to a speaker by a set amout. For a sub you want it set on LPF (low pass filter) and at around 80 or below (this is also dependent on the sub). I tend to use a 24db slope, but you can adjust that (most amps offer 12 and 24,) and the x-over point to fit your taste and stereo.

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 2:29 pm
by lotas
Justin brought up the remote gain being a different story because there are remote gain knobs, and remote bass-boost knobs. The misconception is some people think they are just turning up the bass-boost when really they are cranking the gain. This can result in clipping the amplifier, damage to the drivers, etc, so you have to be careful.

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 3:40 pm
by NViejeP
Oh I see. Hum.. I might need some help setting my xover and gains adn stuff when I install my sub..

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 4:32 pm
by JL Man
my 500/1 has that jl rbc-1 bass knob. they said its a bass boost knob. so if i turn that up because someone next to me trying to show me up it wont hurt anything huh, just give me a lil extra boom