Hi, I have an Alpine 500W RMS Mono Amp powering 2 12inch subs which are rated at 600RmS each. I have the amp gain turned to 60 percent. I can turn the headunit all the way up and not hear any distortion from the subs. Does this mean i could turn my gain higher untill almost at the piont of distortion at 95% max volume?

Thanks,

 

yea, pretty much. Turn it up as loud as you like it and adjust the gain until you hear distortion. If you even do. But if you do, turn it back just a hair and you're all set. Just make sure you're not distorting and you'll be fine.

 

I second that. Turn your head unit to the highest you'll ever listen to it, then turn up gain until you get distortion then back off a hair.

 

thanks for the replys guys. I have turned my gain up to 75% and still no distortion at high volumes although it is very loud. I might turn it up to say 90 and see if thre is still no distortion. Is there an harm in turing the amp to 90%? Another question I have is regarding the bass equilizer, it is a nob rite next to the amp gain, that is also at 60 percent. Is there any harm in turning that up to around 90 percent also, if there is no distortion at that level?

Thanks again!

 

As long as you don't have distortion, you're good to go. Turn it up as much as you want. Although i can almost bet that turning up that bass knob is gonna make it distort some. Just play with it to get it to sound right. IT takes some messing with, but usually once you get it right, you set it and forget it...

 

I have always been told that you want the amp up and the radio down. Quality amps are made to run loud and for extended periods of time. The harder the radio has to work (higher volume) the more chance for distortion, unless you have a high end head unit. If you can get the sound you want at 50% radio volume you shouldn't have to worry about anything overheating (if properly installed) or sounding bad.