Specifications

Adjusting and Tuning
15
ADJUSTING THE GAIN / LEVEL SETTING
Below you will find information on adjusting the amplifiers gains. Adjusting the gain correctly is essential to
proper operation of the amplifier. If the gain is not adjusted properly it can and will lead to damage of
the amplifier and connected speakers and will void your MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. The gain on
an amplifier is not a volume control. It is a signal level setting that tells the amplifier how strong of a signal is
coming from the head unit. Your amplifier has an input sensitivity of 200mV-8V. The minimum setting is 8V
and the maximum setting is 200mV. Minimum meaning the head unit or processor has an 8V output and the
maximum meaning it has a 200mV output.
When using Low-Level (RCA) inputs you MUST know what the pre-out or line-out voltage of your head unit
is rate din Volts. This is not the wattage rating. This can be found in the manaul of the head unit or by
contacting the manufacturer. If you are using a line-driver or another type of processor that adjusts the output
voltage of the signal to the amplifier you will nee dto know what the output is adjusted to. the gain on the
amplifier needs to be set proportionately to th pre-out or line-out voltage rating of the head unit or processor.
If the signal strength is 4V then the gain would be adjusted to about 45-50%. Below is a list of commonly
found voltage ratings and their appropriate gain adjustments. When adjusting the gains you want to start with
the bass boost setting on the amp set to minimum and bass adjustments on the head unit or processor are
set at 0 or flat. As these other settings for bass adjustments are increased, the gain setting will need to be
adjusted lower.
2V 70%
4V 45%
5V 32.5
8V 5% (Bass boost must be left at minimum on the amp and 0 or flat on the head unit or processor)
10V Can not be used with this amplifier
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you should have any questions concerning the installation or
settings on your amplifier or are unsure of anything discussed in this manual, please
contact out Technical Support department at 1-800-488-8595 for help. It is much
better to take 5 minutes today to get it right then to adjust the settings incorrectly and
have a problem with your amp or speakers.
>
_
>
_
>
_
>
_
>
_
If your amplifier includes Hi-Level (speaker wire) inputs and you are using them for the audio signal
connection, please use the below steps to adjust the amplifier. Start with a song with good bass that you
know very well.
1. Use a screwdriver to turn GAIN (8V/0.2V) fully counterclockwise to 8V
2. Turn the auto sound system's volume control to about 3/4 of its full range. Any higher normally leads to the
signal being distorted.
3. Turn up the amplifiers gain / level control until the sound begins to distort, then immediately gain / level
down to a point just before where the distortion began.
4. Adjust the auto sound system's volume control to a comfortable listening level and you are good to go.
Note:
The steps to adjusting the gain / level control need to be repeated when you adjust any bass boost
settings on the amplifier, processors or significantly on the head unit. Adjusting bass boost settings
significantly without adjusting the gain / level can lead to a distorted signal and damage to the amp and
speakers.