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tripslipfall

So, about setting amplifier gains...

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I've noticed, the bass tones usually used to set the gains are 0db, but in most rap songs, bass lines are around -7db to -8db... Some are even lower, especially for other genres.

I recently used -8db tones on my friend's setup, and it got MUCH louder, this was about 4 weeks ago, and everything is still running fine, subwoofer never even gets warm to the touch.

Shouldn't you use -7 to -8db tones for setting RMS power instead of using 0db tones? Because if you think about it, -7 to -8 is the RMS, and 0db would be the "peak" or "max" or whatever you wanna call it (not that it matters).

For those wondering, this is the system I set the gains on:

Amplifier - Sundown SAZ-1000D

Subwoofer - RE Audio SX 10" Dual 2 Ohm Coils

Box - 1.4 Cubic feet, 33hz

Edited by TRiPP3R

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I set by ear, don't have to worry about that. But yes, 0db tones are a quite conservative way to set gains.

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0db eliminates the possibility of clipping, but as you noted results in the lowest amount of average power output.

Richard Clark and many others have long suggested a -10db test tone to maximize average power output while keeping clipping at reasonable levels. This may be a little on the high side for someone who may be overpowering their drivers or are unable to recognize driver stress. -6db may be a little safer for those folk.

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