04 GTP Audio Help

**CJE** · 05-11-2010

so last night i got a 400 watt amp and a 12 in Xplod 1100 watt sub. I dont know too much about audio but these guys i know hooked it up for me. (one of them is a certified mechanic etc. so i know he knows what he's doing) it hooked up and everything just fine but we hooked it up to the stock delco deck using a converter. the music sounds good from the trunk where the sub is, but it doesnt really bump hard inside at all. all my stations except for 1 sucks, even the 1 hip hop station that works doesnt sound amazing... my ipod conector doesnt bump, my cd's dont.

So what im wondering is it because we hooked it up to the stock deck so it doesnt hit hard at all, or the amp? we are throwing on a different 400 watt amp tonight to see how it sounds but i was just wondering

thanks guys

**I800C0LLECT** · 05-11-2010

Things to consider...

1) setting gains properly
2) placement of subwoofer
3) Wiring of subwoofer/amp

1 -- Set your gains appropriately and LEAVE IT ALONE. Gain does not equal volume knob. You're attempting to match the amplification of the signal between the amp and your head unit. The gain should be set to 4V if that's what your head unit pushes out. Setting the gain to ".2 volts" means your attempting to amplify the signal MORE. Setting the gain to "8 volts" = LESS signal amplification.

2 -- Sound waves are crazy. Trying to learn the theory and reproduce given ideas isn't exactly a needle in a haystack...but it's definitely trial and error. Move the box and sub around and compare it's response.

3 -- Are you wired at 2ohm, 4ohm...? What kind of load is the amplifier ACTUALLY seeing?

**CTKGP09** · 05-11-2010

and dont expect much from a 400 watt amp in a big car, and sonys may sound good but are generally quiet considering the RMS wattage on the sub is like 330 watts

**I800C0LLECT** · 05-11-2010

CTK...

400 watts is plenty. The problem he's noticing is most likely a difference between sealed/ported and a box design that's based on Thiele small specs. Another issue is if your sub is being lost in the trunk. Fold down the seats and try firing in the cabin vs. towards the rear of the trunk.

One more thing...reverse polarity and see if maybe there's an issue with wave cancellation. Just reverse + and - wires on the speaker.

**matt5112** · 05-11-2010

I've got a "5500 watt" amp and i'm only asking about 1000 watts from it yet it only nets me 1-3 dB more than my 300 watt setup. Can you say power compression or its not actually delivering what it claims?

Check into that, a lot of amps don't do what they claim they do.

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