How to Easily Adjust Your Car Amplifier: A Beginner's Guide

Please note, these are tips for basic, simple installations!

1. Set your amp to the simplest setting

1. Gain (or Level)

   • Used to adapt the car radio signal to the amplifier.

   • Too high → distortion → risk of breakage.

   • ⚠️ This is not a volume button.

2. Filters (LPF/HPF)

   • LPF : Cuts high frequencies, only lets bass through (80 Hz or less for a sub).

   • HPF : Cuts bass, used for mid/high speakers.

3. Bass Boost

   • Accentuates certain low frequencies.

   • Use sparingly (+3 dB max) as it quickly increases the risk of saturation.

4. Phase

   • 0° or 180°, allows you to synchronize the sub with the other speakers.

   • Used to maximize perceived bass.

2. Step by step adjustment

1. Reset everything

   • Minimum gain

   • Bass Boost off

   • LPF enabled at ~80 Hz for sub / disabled for speakers

   • HPF activated speakers (HZ frequency setting according to speaker specifications)

   • LPF and HPF (BP or bandpass) some amps allow you to cut the HPF and LPF frequencies at the same time, ideal for a subwoofer (we recommend cutting at the tuning frequency of your subwoofer, for example a subwoofer tuned to 40Hz, HPF 30Hz - LPF 60Hz)

2. Car radio volume at 75%

   • High level but without distortion on the source side.

3. Increase the gain

   • Increase slowly until you hear the beginning of distortion, then decrease slightly, for amplifiers.

   • For amplifiers equipped with an orange CLIP diode, increase the gain until the diode flashes slightly and lower the gain slightly until it no longer flashes.

4. Bass Boost (optional)

   • Do not exceed +3 dB.

   • For more bass, choose a more powerful amp rather than increasing this setting.

5. Phase

   • Test 0° and 180°, keep the position where the bass is fullest.

3. Beware of subwoofer excursion

Excursion is the movement of the sub's membrane.

• Too large an excursion → risk of tearing the suspension or making the coil hit the bottom of the magnet = copper wires of the coil which come loose or sub which makes noise.

• Common causes:

  • Excessive Bass Boost

  • Gain too high

  • Music below the subwoofer's tuning frequency

• avoid BASS BOOSTED music!
  

💡 Tip : Look at your sub when you listen — if the membrane moves a lot compared to what the manufacturer recommends in XMAX, it's dangerous.

4. Damage caused by distortion or CLIP

• Clipped signal → abnormal heating of the coil → burnt coil.

• Excessive excursion → suspension or spider torn off.

• Mechanical blockage → sub unusable.

6. Good practices for longevity

• Adjust the RMS power of the amplifier to the sub.

• Monitor visual excursion.

• Use filters (LPF and subsonic) correctly.

• Avoid turning everything up to avoid distortion.

• Check the settings after each change of audio source.

Disclaimer : We are not responsible for improper assembly or adjustment. The above information is provided as a guide. If in doubt, consult a qualified professional.