mark1905
Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- May 25, 2008
- Messages
- 535
Piece715 said:
So.. I received this PM last night, and thought that I'd post the response here publicly as to to help anyone that needs help with stereo amp adjusting/tuning. This is just a basic guide.
We're working with the JL Audio M600/6 which is a 6 channel amplifier that has separate inputs and controls for channels 1&2, 3&4 and 5&6. In this application, I'm assuming that you're using channels 1&2 and 3&4 for your highs and 5&6 bridged for your subwoofer.
Here is a link to the manual which we'll walk through using the pictures of the front adjustment: http://mediacdn.shopatron.com/media/mfg/9013/media_document/live_1/M600_6_MAN.pdf?1305783848
Are you using the remote gain knob? I would use that for your subwoofer control so you can raise and lower the volume according to how you feel. Sometimes you want the extra kick and sometimes it's just giving you a headache. So.. we'll assume that you have that plugged in and mounted up under the dash or something. I have mine right under the dash under the steering wheel within easy reach.
Do you want to be able to fade the sound from front to back? If you don't mind everything being the same volume, then just run one set of RCAs from the deck to the amp. If you want to be able to adjust the volume from front to back, then run two sets of RCAs. One set or the front outputs from the deck go to the channels 1&2 inputs on the amp. Typically I use channel 1 for the (front) left speaker and channel 2 for the (front) right as if you were counting positions starting from the drivers seat in a car. If you're running that second RCA cable, then put that at channel 3 for the (rear) left and channel 4 for the (rear) right. Most RCA cables have one white plug and one red plug so you can keep track of left and right channels. There is no right and wrong, but in my own head I use the red plug for the right channels.. and the white for the lefts.. keeping the Rs together for easy memory.
First, disconnect the subwoofer speaker wires and just tune the highs. From left to right on the front of the amp, put the remote level mode switch to 5&6. Put the input mode to 2 channel if you're only using one set of RCAs and 4 channel if you're using 2 sets. Put all the bass and treble settings on the stereo head unit to "0".
On the ch 1&2 section, put the filter switch to "HP" meaning "high pass". This means that you're wanting those channels to be your high speakers and filter out the low bass. Whatever frequency you put that dial to, it will cut off at that frequency and allow everything from there UP. On a boat, I always turn the sensitivity levels on high pass speakers all the way up.. which would be all the way to the right on the dial. This makes them the most sensitive and able to be turned up however loud you want.. as long as you're using good speakers that can take the power. Now.. for the crossover adjustment. What you'll need to do is put on a music track that will typically contain the most amount of bass that you'll be listening to. Whatever song you like that you consider bass heavy.. play. Typically this will be a rap song such as "On My Level" by Wiz Khalifa. Turn the volume up to a pretty decently med/high level. Now.. turn that "Filter Freq" knob to the exact point that your speakers aren't distorting with the bass anymore. The more to the left you turn it, the lower the bass frequencies that it will allow to slide by. Typically for a set of 6.5" or 6x9" speakers depending on the brand, around 180Hz - 200 Hz will sound the best. Let your ear be the judge on this one.
Repeat the exact same process for channels 3&4.
Now.. if you're running more than just 4 speakers, or have non-traditional placements, then you may want more bass on some rather than others. In my boat, I raise the cross over frequency cutoff level for the upper bow speakers and the ones that are right by me in the cockpit since I want a more clear reproduction of just the highs. Too much bass and things get muddy when you turn it up. The speakers that are more physically down low.. like the 4 6x9"s that are under the rear bench seat facing forward.. I turn the xover frequency down in order to allow deeper bass to reach them. Use your ears and dial it all in to sound best.
For channels 5&6 which are now your subwoofer channels, you'll want to put the filter switch to "LP" which is "low pass".. meaning that now that same adjustment dial will be used to select only what low frequencies are allowed to get by. So.. whatever frequency you select, it will allow everything from there DOWN. Typically on a boat, you'll want the sub to play a little more midbass since you'll be losing sound to the air. I usually put this almost all the way to the right or just slightly down from there. Again.. use your ear. For the level control, if you have the remote knob plugged in then the amp will allow that knob to be the remote level control.. so the adjustment on the amp itself is a moot point. If you are not using that remote knob, then turn the music up to about 2/3 volume and adjust the level to the point where the bass is just filling nicely. Not too much.. you can always turn it up on the deck. Just enough where there's a nice, even fill. Pretty much the point that you never want it to be less than.
There you have it on the amp! Now.. you can go back to the stereo head unit and play with the bass and treble settings all you want bring out whatever frequencies you want. I typically turn the treble way up and put the bass around 3 out of a possible 7 on my Clarion deck. Your mileage may vary.
Good luck!
