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Is there any specific way this should be done? Im referring to all the gains and crossover settings and whatnot.

Yes there is a specific way it should be done. For the gain, you want to use a DMM(volt meter) to set it. What you are measuring is the AC voltage at the outputs of the amp. The formula for this is ohm load X rms, and take the square root of that. And when you are doing this, you want to use a 45hz +0db test tone and play it at 3/4 volume of the cd player.

Is this for a sub or components?? That will determine which crossover you are setting. For a sub, on the low pass filter, you want to set it around 80hz. For components, on the high pass filter, 80hz is also a good place.

For the Bass Boost.... I don't use it. If you have a properly set amp, Bass Boost is not needed.

swimmerdude wrote:Yes there is a specific way it should be done. For the gain, you want to use a DMM(volt meter) to set it. What you are measuring is the AC voltage at the outputs of the amp. The formula for this is ohm load X rms, and take the square root of that. And when you are doing this, you want to use a 45hz +0db test tone and play it at 3/4 volume of the cd player.
Is this for a sub or components?? That will determine which crossover you are setting. For a sub, on the low pass filter, you want to set it around 80hz. For components, on the high pass filter, 80hz is also a good place.
For the Bass Boost.... I don't use it. If you have a properly set amp, Bass Boost is not needed.

Wow. That's a lot of stuff just to set an amp. What do I connect the voltmeter to?

JL Audio 500/1 powering a JL Audio 10w6ea subwoofer

DMM's usually run on batteries and will have two wires with metal leads at the end. You will put them in the output terminals of the amp.

if you don't have one or are not comfortable using a dmm, you can set the gain by ear by playing a favorite track you know well at 3/4 volume, starting from the lowest setting and slowing turning the gain up until you hear slight distortion, then back down the gain a bit. Whether set by ear, dmm, or oscilloscope, usually its gunna be pretty close.

two4fifteen wrote:if you don't have one or are not comfortable using a dmm, you can set the gain by ear by playing a favorite track you know well at 3/4 volume, starting from the lowest setting and slowing turning the gain up until you hear slight distortion, then back down the gain a bit. Whether set by ear, dmm, or oscilloscope, usually its gunna be pretty close.

That's what I've always done. Ive never heard of setting this stuff up via voltmeters. It's kind of cool actually

the dmm is a great tool to have

two4fifteen wrote:the dmm is a great tool to have

Know where I could pick one up cheap?

radioshack

To really set your gains, use an oscilloscope so you can see the sine wave and know when you're clipping it :)