Almost there...
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 981
Likes: 134
From: Vancouver Canada
Oh cool...I'll look out for that when tuning.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 5,749
Likes: 1,603
From: High Point, NC.
For example, I'm pushing 275 watts to a pair of faital pro rs140's. Even though they're rated as:
- 1.75" voice coil with fiberglass former to handle up to 200 watts RMS
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 399
From: Vancouver, BC
Having said that, both methods suffer from the same thing. It's the measurement of a single static frequency at a specific output level.
Neither approach really has a lot of relevance when it comes to music which is dynamic in both frequency and level.
This is why I prefer to use my ears to set gains. When I use my go-to tuning tunes I can hear when music is distorted. Not just from clipping but also from mechanical distortion such as excursion. I know from experience when I set the system up this way I'm not ever going to find myself smoking voice coils or tearing cones.
It's all about staying comfortably within the performance envelope. There's no need to push everything to the max for everyday use.
Now, this is not to say I never use an o-scope. I may if one is available (especially if the owner is going to hit it hard). It gives me a place to start with the mids (and/or subs). I'll then just dial the tweets in by ear.
There's a ton of opinions and info on this out there if you want to learn more.
Again, this is my opinion. There are adherents and detractors for all 3 approaches.
Last edited by hamah; Dec 24, 2021 at 12:40 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 981
Likes: 134
From: Vancouver Canada
IMO it's far more important to send an undistorted signal to the speaker than a rated voltage. This also means checking the output of the preamp or HU for distortion as amps can only make bad things worse (**** in results in amplified **** out). An o-scope can detect clipping while a DMM cannot and this is the main reason I prefer the o-scope (besides an o-scope is dead easy to use and I'm lazy AF).
Having said that, both methods suffer from the same thing. It's the measurement of a single static frequency at a specific output level.
Neither approach really has a lot of relevance when it comes to music which is dynamic in both frequency and level.
This is why I prefer to use my ears to set gains. When I use my go-to tuning tunes I can hear when music is distorted. Not just from clipping but also from mechanical distortion such as excursion. I know from experience when I set the system up this way I'm not ever going to find myself smoking voice coils or tearing cones.
Now, this is not to say I never use an o-scope. I will if one is available. It gives me a place to start with the mids (and/or subs). I'll then just dial the tweets in by ear.
It's all about staying comfortably within the performance envelope. There's no need to push everything to the max for everyday use.
There's a ton of opinions and info on this out there if you want to learn more.
Again, this is my opinion. There are adherents and detractors for all 3 approaches.
Having said that, both methods suffer from the same thing. It's the measurement of a single static frequency at a specific output level.
Neither approach really has a lot of relevance when it comes to music which is dynamic in both frequency and level.
This is why I prefer to use my ears to set gains. When I use my go-to tuning tunes I can hear when music is distorted. Not just from clipping but also from mechanical distortion such as excursion. I know from experience when I set the system up this way I'm not ever going to find myself smoking voice coils or tearing cones.
Now, this is not to say I never use an o-scope. I will if one is available. It gives me a place to start with the mids (and/or subs). I'll then just dial the tweets in by ear.
It's all about staying comfortably within the performance envelope. There's no need to push everything to the max for everyday use.
There's a ton of opinions and info on this out there if you want to learn more.
Again, this is my opinion. There are adherents and detractors for all 3 approaches.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 399
From: Vancouver, BC
I thought about this as well...but an easy correction (Imo which I will perform) is to set gains via 1khz test tone, then set the appropriate frequency, leave the O connected, and play a variety of songs off my playlist and see if any sources makes the amp clip. Adjust from there and then let my ears do the finishing touches.
Last edited by hamah; Dec 24, 2021 at 01:25 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 1,019
From: Southern Virginia
Lately I've just set my gains with the DSP EQ settings that I ride with using a 1KHz test tone and an oscilloscope. That way I'm not majorly changing the signal when I'm out on the road. Ain't blown anything up so far using that method.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 981
Likes: 134
From: Vancouver Canada
What do you mean "not changing the signal"? I assume when riding you are listening to actual music with totally different freq.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 1,019
From: Southern Virginia
I mean some folks will set the gains with all EQ settings flat. If you do that and then tune the EQ settings it changes the signal a bit which usually adds distortion. Yes the test tone is different from music but using that test tone with the DSP settings I ride with helps keep things from being too different so to speak.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 399
From: Vancouver, BC
No argument that starting out with a clean input signal when setting gains is important but how does using a test tone ensure that? You still need to make sure the HU is outputting a clean signal first. That signal could either be a test tone or music, depending on what method you prefer for setting your gains.
