Hello

It's me again.

I've been trying to optimize the sound configuration by "gain adjustment" and "crossover settings." I did search thing, but the information was to Jargon-ish for me. Too many curves, volts, amps, etc.. etc.. I took some physics classes in college, but those electronic jargons are too hard for me to stuff in my head :(

When I googled "how to adjust the gain setting," I found so many different method, and now i am confused. Some people use voltimeter, some use radioshack speaker to check clipping, and others use their ears. I don't have voltimeter and I have no idea how to use it. :(

Also I've been playing with crossovers (I am using HU crossover and front passives). Actually, it's been fun. I think I will play with them more to find the satisfactory crossover setting. But I need to know some concept before I abuse the system.

Could anyone help me out here please?


Config:
HU: Alpine 9835
Front Alpine SPX-177A
Amp: JL 300/4 2ch - front & 2ch (bridged) - Sub
Sub: Diamond D1 12"

Hey - we share our HU and amp, so I have to help you. Just for starters, I would use the head unit and not the crossover settings on the amp to start with because it's easier to adjust from the driver's seat. If someone has a reason to use the ones on the amp, let it be known. Make sure that you don't have the crossovers on the AMP engaged or you'll be running your sound through two sets of crossovers (Filter Mode OFF for both sets of channels). Also make sure you have the Input Mode switch set for 4 channel.

Start with the sub crossover at 80 Hz and 24 db/octave and the Fronts crossed over at 80 Hz and 24 db/octave as well. If it's too much bass from the sub, switch the sub over to 63 Hz. Play with the crossover on the front speakers and see if they can take the volume with a lesser slope (18 or 12). Use the Alpine I-Personalize to make it real easy for the first setting and it helps you to visualize what's happening when you change crossover frequency and slope.

I have mine crossed of this way, but I don't crank it too much so it's okay for the fronts - front 63 Hz, 18 db/octave and sub crossed at 63 Hz and 24 db/octave.

I'll let someone else explain the gain setting, but to get started I'd set the Input Voltage to LOW on both channels because the 9835 doesn't have a real high output voltage. Put the Input Sensitivity at like the 10 o'clock position just to get you started.

Thanks for all the info... I am glad that someone else in this forum has similar system. :)

by the way
I found this for gain adjustment.. is this good information?

http://www.mmxpress.com/technical/gain.htm

I am heading to Radio Shack and get "archer brand" speaker if it's cheap enough for my wallet...

Thanks :))

Thanks for all the info... I am glad that someone else in this forum has similar system. :)

by the way
I found this for gain adjustment.. is this good information?

http://www.mmxpress.com/technical/gain.htm

I am heading to Radio Shack and get "archer brand" speaker if it's cheap enough for my wallet...

Thanks :))

I think Radio Shack stopped selling speakers a while back. At least they did in my neck of the woods.

Thanks for all the info... I am glad that someone else in this forum has similar system. :)

by the way
I found this for gain adjustment.. is this good information?

http://www.mmxpress.com/technical/gain.htm

I am heading to Radio Shack and get "archer brand" speaker if it's cheap enough for my wallet...

Thanks :))

Cheap enough for your wallet or not... you're throwing money away on POS speakers that are no better than the factory gear. Save your money til you can afford something worthwhile.... new is NOT always better and archer (which I think the above post is correct they no longer sell em) is crap, right up there with roadmaster, craig, pyramid. why would you put speakers like that on decent aftermarket equipment you mentioned?

That's like using 60's era bias ply street tires on a friggin dragster..... ;)

I think Radio Shack stopped selling speakers a while back. At least they did in my neck of the woods.


thank god.....

Cheap enough for your wallet or not... you're throwing money away on POS speakers that are no better than the factory gear. Save your money til you can afford something worthwhile.... new is NOT always better and archer (which I think the above post is correct they no longer sell em) is crap, right up there with roadmaster, craig, pyramid. why would you put speakers like that on decent aftermarket equipment you mentioned?

That's like using 60's era bias ply street tires on a friggin dragster..... ;)

He's using the Archer unit to check for clipping, not to install in the car. Did you read the link he posted? It says in his first post he has Alpine Type X components.

Funny - Archer speakers. Testing - OK otherwise FAIL!!!!!!

Well, I went to radioshack, and they had the archer brand one... I was going to buy it.. BUT a voltimeter was right next to it, so I bought it for 15 bucks... I thought the voltimeter was very very expensive.. (the one i saw in the past at home depot was around 100bucks :p )

Now, I am gonna follow JL 300/4 manual to adjust the speaker output volts, etc..

Thanks all

by the way, I tried your crossover setting, snorekl... And I like it ;)

Duh... my bad.... should have realized that when you said Alpine/JL/Diamond components, but I've heard dumber things on this forum.... lol!!

wanna know something funny though? For the cost of that archer speaker and an inexpensive DVM.... if you dig around on Ebay you might find yourself an ocilliscope for dirt cheap, or look around electronics shops locally, flea markets, pawn shops.... I got mine for $60 off of ebay, plus it was in my area so I just drove over and got it to save shipping. You don't need anything fancy for features, and 20-20k Hz is nothing so far as most scopes are concerned.

Just something to consider for you tweak minded car audio guys, the speaker method with a 1khz test tone works surprisingly well, but the silly-scope is the shiznit! :)

Wow//// alpine HU crossovers are -24 dB/octave? That's pretty cool! Wish my kenwood was that steep...

Wow//// alpine HU crossovers are -24 dB/octave? That's pretty cool! Wish my kenwood was that steep...

On the 9835, they are adjustable to 6, 12, 18, or 24db. Any Alpine with Bass Engine Pro can do that I believe.

by the way, I tried your crossover setting, snorekl... And I like it ;)

Yes - I is a ge-ni-ass. ;) Seriously, don't be afraid to try other crossover points/slopes. It depends on how loud you want to crank it whether the midbass can take a lower crossover or slope without starting to distort.