setting gain using DMM

[Foose]

The tutorials out there says to set everything to flat first but is it ok for me to turn up the bass and treble settings on the stock headunit afterwards? Should I set the bass and treble settings before adjusting the gain?

[el_duderino]

You should set everything flat first.

And if you need to use the bass and treble up all the time, your system design is flawed. Your system SHOULD sound good with those centered, and you should go up and down depending on the recording. If they are always up, you have a weakness in the design...

[Foose]

Just completed my install of zerochief's enclosure and a 8" Kicker CVR 200w rms.

I am very disappointed. After adjusting the gain properly with a DMM there's only a slight amount bass coming from the sub. The LPF is set at around 50-60hz. Although I can see the excursion and hear the bass if I put my head near the sub.

I can minimally hear the bass from up front. It gets worse with the side panel on. I'm hoping it's because I went wrong somewhere during the install. I followed BSW's instructions. The specific wires were t-tapped according to BSW's wiring diagram. However, I don't know which speakers the signals are being pulled from. Maybe the low sound is due to the amp not getting enough signal input?....

Blue/Black stripe +
Brown/Orange stripe -
Yellow/Black stripe+
Brown/Orange stripe-

I wasn't expecting car rattling bass but wanted something to fill the cabin.

[el_duderino]

Sounds like a classic case of getting one side opposite polarity.

Disconnect one T-tap plug-in. I bet it gets way loud instantly.

Alternately, take a hp mini to RCA adapter and an iPod and plug it in.

[Foose]

Thanks for the response.

I checked the polarity and it was correct.

Using a CD or the aux-in brings out the bass in songs but it's still weak.

The tapped wires were for the rear speaker. Should I try tapping into the front speakers? Would this make a difference since I read that the factory amp has different crossover settings

[bigtigga01]

Have you tried adjusting the gains on both the LOC and the amp? Also could you take pics of your install ie: wire tapping, amp settings....etc.

[Foose]

The gains on the amp were set to give me 200W at 4ohms. 28.28V. Set to LP and around 40-60hz. There is no bass boost or any other adjustments.

I used speaker level inputs. Would using an adjustable LOC instead help?

I'll take some pics later today. It's basically wired the same way as the BSW guide but I used red T-taps instead of cutting wires.

After a few days of driving the bass shows up in the front on bass heavy songs. On everything else its very minimal to non-existent. I was hoping to leave the settings flat so that the new sub can takeover the lows and get better clarity up front.

I'm starting to think that im asking too much from a 8" kicker sub that's in a ~.4cubic feet of space and also behind a panel...

[Quicksilver]

Foose:

What reference CD are you using?

[Foose]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Foose:

What reference CD are you using?

reference cd?

I used a 50hz tone to set the gain. For music, I used different downloaded mp3's and Pandora(internet radio) on the droid cellphone via aux-in. Tested with many genres of music. R&B, Rap, Country, Techno, Jazz, soft-rock. Obviously rap had the most bass boosted songs. However, I was hoping there would be better low end with country and jazz.

[Quicksilver]

Best test might be 24bit CD not MP3, internet radio, Droid, ect.
Unfortunately well engineered music isn't as plentiful as in the past.
One selection I use on a regular basis is 101 eastbound by Fourplay
from the Fourplay CD.

The first time I played it for my brother in law he asked when I installed
the sub. I told him the system is stock. Keep in mind I don't have your system.
Two songs later the music being played sounded terrible in comparison.
Conclusion? Sometime it's the recording not the system.