Hey Everyone,

I need some help. I have a pretty straight forward audio system in my 05 Accord. I'm running the stock head to Scosche SLC-4 Speaker Level Converter. From there it goes to an MTX 895 5 channel amp. My problem is that I need some guidence on a procedure for setting the gains on the converter and the amp in order to get the best performance out of the system. I have it set now to what I think is good; however, I don't know if this setting is utilizing the full potential of the amp. I have tried to find solutions on the web with no luck. I have spoken with tech support from Scosche and they told me that most people set gains on converter halfway. Well that really wasn't much help because for all I know, I am limiting the sinal being out put to the amp. I do realize all the does and don't of gain adjustment. Any steps to setting the gains an tuning up the system, or links would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

I'd set the volume on the radio to about 90% first. This will be the limit of how high you crank it up.
Next, I'd set the converter to about 75%
Last, set the gain on the amp to a little below where distortion is made.

Make sure that while setting this up you are listening to a song that produces as much bass as you expect from what you listen to.

Rationalle - at 100% any electronic device will distort unless internally limited. The converter will start noticible distrortion at the lowest setting followed by the radio and lastly the amp. Also, after the initial setup, play with the settings to try to get the amp gain as high as possible and the converter gain as low as possible while maintaining the overall volume just below where distortion is made.

Good luck!

 

MacLeod!!!! Any advice here? You seem to be the most involved in the A/V department.

 

The gain on a LOC isnt the same as the gain on an amp. The gain on the LOC is toadjust theoutput signal to best match up with the amp where the gain on an amp is to adjust the input signal from your head unit. Since youre using a MTX amp it can handle a high input signal so crank the gain to the max. If you have any noise issues then back it off some.

The best way to set gains is with an osciliscope - but who actually has one of those lying around? I sure dont.

The best way for Joe Sixpack to set his gains is this way:

Grab a CD that is very well recorded and best represents the type of music youll be listening to most. Set ALL the gains on the amp to zero. Turn the volume up to 75-80% on the CD player.

Now I dont know how you have your system configured but Ill assume youve got the front channels to the front speakers and rear to the rear and so on. If so turn the gain for the FRONT channels up slowly until you heardistortion. Listen not only for the speaker distortingfrom being pushed too hard but also distortion from the amp being pushed into its high THD range. Once you reach this point, back the gain downtojust below the distortion.

Next set the rear channel gain to a level that best blends in with the front but doesnt pull the stage to the rear. This level should be well below the front channels level. After that, adjust the subwoofer gain til it blends in best with the front stage.

Remember, the gain is not a volume. It only matches up the amps input with the HU's output. This way when the head unit is at 60% volume, the amp is at 60%. If you set youramps gains too high, when the HU is at 60%, the amp could be at 100% so if you nudge the volume up any more the amp will overload, clip and send out a highly distorted signal limited only by its input voltage. This is usually at least double the amps RMS power. So a 400 watt amp could send out over 800 watts to your speaker and if it cant handle 800 watts, well youll have a brand new paperweight.

 

Thanks MacLeod!!!!

Great post!

 

Thanks for all your help. I am going to hopefully get everything set this evening, I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

Awesome post. I just got my converter/amp/sub installed on my '05 and I'll be setting the gains next week when my speakers arrive. Now I know how to do it correctly. Thanks for the post, MacLeod!