How to adjust amps?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 745
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From: Elkridge MD
How to adjust amps?
I almost finished my install. Everything is in and hooked up. Pics to come tonight or tomorrow morning. (06-03-03)
Now to my questions. What settings should my amps be at?
Amp#1-ARC2100CXL powering the Utopias up front.
Should the crossover be set at "FULL or "HIGH"?
What should the frequency range be "X1" or "X10"?
What should the Freq. Hertz be set at? It goes from 50 to 550. (I think I want it set at 50 Hz and above?)
Amp#2-ARC2050CXL powering IDQ10
I know this is set on LOW
Freq. Range should be "X1" (I think)
Freq. Hertz set at 50 (I think) Does this mean it will play 50 Hz and below?
Should I be using the active crossover in the HU (7998)?
Sorry for the long post, this was my first install and it wasn't difficult thanks to you guys:cheers:
[Modified by MVP, 11:46 AM 6/2/2003]
Now to my questions. What settings should my amps be at?
Amp#1-ARC2100CXL powering the Utopias up front.
Should the crossover be set at "FULL or "HIGH"?
What should the frequency range be "X1" or "X10"?
What should the Freq. Hertz be set at? It goes from 50 to 550. (I think I want it set at 50 Hz and above?)
Amp#2-ARC2050CXL powering IDQ10
I know this is set on LOW
Freq. Range should be "X1" (I think)
Freq. Hertz set at 50 (I think) Does this mean it will play 50 Hz and below?
Should I be using the active crossover in the HU (7998)?
Sorry for the long post, this was my first install and it wasn't difficult thanks to you guys:cheers:
[Modified by MVP, 11:46 AM 6/2/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,682
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Re: How to adjust amps? (MVP)
Depending on your HU and personal preference, you can set the crossovers on the amp to "off" or "full" and use the HU to adjust the crossover points. I think it is more accurate this way. But as a rule of thumb, you can initially set the crossovers at 80 Hz on each amp. The component amp should be set to "hi pass" so that it will only play frequencies above 80 Hz and the sub amp should be set to "low pass" to only play frequencies below 80Hz. Your main goal is to avoid "gaps" in the frequency range, or "bleeding" where the frequencies overlap.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 580
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From: Boise ID
Re: How to adjust amps? (MVP)
Now to my questions. What settings should my amps be at?
Amp#1-ARC2100CXL powering the Utopias up front.
Should the crossover be set at "FULL or "HIGH"?
- High
What should the frequency range be "X1" or "X10"?
- X1 (This is the Multiplier for the dial)
What should the Freq. Hertz be set at? It goes from 50 to 550. (I think I want it set at 50 Hz and above?)
- If you have a Sub set it to 80hz, that will give you strong midbass.
Amp#2-ARC2050CXL powering IDQ10
I know this is set on LOW
- Yep LOWpass
Freq. Range should be "X1" (I think)
- Yep X1
Freq. Hertz set at 50 (I think) Does this mean it will play 50 Hz and below?
- Set to the same # as above in 1 they should match.
Should I be using the active crossover in the HU (7998)?
I am using the SUB out on the D900, but left the others tuff full range. The JL amps and higher amps do a VERY good job as X-overs... by using the built in X-over you also help eliminate any hiss or whine in the sub line.
I set mine to 24db at 80hz, I am running 8" drivers in the door. This might be a little low for some components, try 100 or 120 of the mid/bass seems over stressed... remember to change it to match on both amps.
-Brian
Amp#1-ARC2100CXL powering the Utopias up front.
Should the crossover be set at "FULL or "HIGH"?
- High
What should the frequency range be "X1" or "X10"?
- X1 (This is the Multiplier for the dial)
What should the Freq. Hertz be set at? It goes from 50 to 550. (I think I want it set at 50 Hz and above?)
- If you have a Sub set it to 80hz, that will give you strong midbass.
Amp#2-ARC2050CXL powering IDQ10
I know this is set on LOW
- Yep LOWpass
Freq. Range should be "X1" (I think)
- Yep X1
Freq. Hertz set at 50 (I think) Does this mean it will play 50 Hz and below?
- Set to the same # as above in 1 they should match.
Should I be using the active crossover in the HU (7998)?
I am using the SUB out on the D900, but left the others tuff full range. The JL amps and higher amps do a VERY good job as X-overs... by using the built in X-over you also help eliminate any hiss or whine in the sub line.
I set mine to 24db at 80hz, I am running 8" drivers in the door. This might be a little low for some components, try 100 or 120 of the mid/bass seems over stressed... remember to change it to match on both amps.
-Brian
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 745
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From: Elkridge MD
Re: How to adjust amps? (brianw21)
Thanks guys! I will have to try that out during lunch.
I would like to use the HU for the xover but it way too complicated :crazy: for me to understand, but I am learning.
If anyone could help with that, all you have to do is go on alpine's website and set the xover's and EQ on there and I can D/L. I will give you my password and username. Thanks again.
[Modified by MVP, 5:16 PM 6/4/2003]
I would like to use the HU for the xover but it way too complicated :crazy: for me to understand, but I am learning.
If anyone could help with that, all you have to do is go on alpine's website and set the xover's and EQ on there and I can D/L. I will give you my password and username. Thanks again.
[Modified by MVP, 5:16 PM 6/4/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,493
Likes: 6
From: Bloomington MN
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: How to adjust amps? (MVP)
Just curious...are you using or not using the passive crossover that came with your Utopias? :confused:
AC
[Modified by A C, 8:59 PM 6/3/2003]
AC
[Modified by A C, 8:59 PM 6/3/2003]
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Re: How to adjust amps? (A C)
In that case I would set the amp's crossover to full and let the passive crossovers take care of it. JMO
AC
AC
I had my utopias set at HIGH 65hz and they sounded great with no low end distortion. ARC2100 was powering them. I had the IDQ set to 70hz on my ARC2050.. i did change it from time to time.
[Modified by Kale, 7:14 PM 6/3/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Re: How to adjust amps? (A C)
So the factory Focal passive crossovers do not take out low frequencies? What good are they then?
:confused:
:confused:
To Mid: <3000hz
To Tweet: >3000hz
[Modified by Kale, 7:44 PM 6/3/2003]
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 745
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From: Elkridge MD
Re: How to adjust amps? (A C)
BTW...what size are the Focal mids?
Thanks Kale :cheers: I'll try that. Right now both amps are around 80hz. I thought that I should be getting more bass up front. Right now it sound like the bass is behind me, I guess I have to keep tweaking.
If I use the Active xover in the HU what is meant by the db slope? Should I use the parmetric eq also?
[Modified by MVP, 5:16 PM 6/4/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Re: How to adjust amps? (MVP)
the parametric eq will bring down some bumps.. try reducing 200hz by 2db, bump 100hz by 1+db and at 400 hz, -2 db , and 1000hz, -2db
tell me how you like it
For "up front bass" assuming you arent locating the bass due to buzzes or rattles, do this:
focals: 65hz
subs: 65hz
the lower the frequency the less likely you can "locate" the bass.
tell me how you like it
For "up front bass" assuming you arent locating the bass due to buzzes or rattles, do this:
focals: 65hz
subs: 65hz
the lower the frequency the less likely you can "locate" the bass.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 5,689
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From: Cape Coral, FL 33904
Re: How to adjust amps? (Kale)
Kale, since you've had the CDT's also, how would you set your amps? The same way? I'm having some trouble setting my amps, and hu. I think I'm getting a really raspy sound out of my tweets. Any suggestions?