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In
general for
best signal
to noise ratio
the head unit
should output
the maximum
amplitude
that the amp
or amps can
handle before
clipping on
the lowest
level recorded
or broadcast
signal you
may encounter.
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This
can also minimize
overdriving
the speakers
by setting
the amplifiers
gain(s) to
a point where
the head unit
volume control
reaches full
rotation (or
maximum position)
first. There
will be some
program sources
that are louder
than others
so the setting
can never
be perfect
for all sources.
Play a CD
that is recorded
at the lowest
level to which
you will ever
listen. If
the radio
is attenuated
compared to
the CD player
or perhaps
an external
input and
you want to
play the radio
or that input
at the maximum
volume the
speakers can
handle, then
some CD’s
may overdrive
the speakers
if the volume
control is
set too high.
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Turn
the
amps
all
the
way
down
at
their
inputs
and
turn
the
head
unit
all
the
way
up.
Start
the
player
with
the
selected
CD.
Turn
up
the
amps
to
medium
volume
watching
that
they
are
balancing
well.
The
crossovers
should
be
preset
to
around
100
Hz
high
and
low
pass
to
the
front
amp
and
sub
amp
respectively.
Reduce
the
front
volume
to
about
half
–
if
the
sound
is
staying
clean
and
clear
from
half
to
full
setting
you
are
fine.
Now
adjust
the
crossover
points
and
levels
on
the
amps
to
tune
in
the
total
system
sound.
Raise
and
lower
the
crossovers
and
relative
levels
until
the
sound
is
perfect
–
change
the
sub
amp
phase
also
as
required
–
some
have
two
phase
choices
others
are
continuously
variable.
Doing
this
with
a
test
disc
and
instruments
and
then
fine-tuning
by
ear
using
music
is
best.
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Once
the
system
sounds
good
it’s
time
to optimize
the
gain.
Activate
that
lowest
level
source
material
and
take
it as
high
as the
front
speakers
or sub
will
tolerate.
Turn
up the
head
unit
gradually.
Now
turn
the
amps
up (together
if possible)
until
either
the
front
speakers
overload
when
you
have
the
head
unit
all
the
way
up –
signaled
by a
“boomy”
quality
usually
in the
door
speaker
or until
you
are
satisfied
that
this
is all
the
volume
you
want.
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This
is
the
lowest
amp
setting
combination
that
will
give
you
the
volume
level
you
want
with
the
weakest
possible
source.
This
is
done
with
the
system
crossovers
set-up
for
optimum
balance.
Exercise
caution
with
high-level
sources
as
these
can
overdrive
the
system.
If
you
install
better
speakers
and
have
adequately
powerful
amps
the
new
maximum
volume
can
be
higher.
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For
further
help
tuning
your
auto-sound
system
Call:1877-568-3238
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CDT
Customer service
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