How to Tune a Car Amplifier for Mids and Highs (Guide with Photos)
Content
In this article, I will teach you how to set up a car amplifier for mid and high frequencies in a few minutes.
Audio distortion occurs if the gain control frequency is set too high. As a big stereo enthusiast who worked in a car stereo shop, I have experience tweaking amplifiers to improve sound quality. You can eliminate distortion in your stereo by fine-tuning the mids and trebles with the treble and bass settings. You'll also avoid sound distortion that damages speakers and other stereo system components, and you won't incur any loss or additional cost to repair your audio system.
Quick Overview: The following steps will properly tune your car amplifier for the mids and highs:
- Playing your favorite audio or music
- Locate the gain control behind the amplifier and turn it towards the middle.
- Adjust the volume to about 75 percent
- Return the gain control and gradually increase the frequency until the first signs of distortion appear.
- You can also use a multimeter to adjust the gain control.
- Flip the HPF switch on the amplifier and set the HPF to 80Hz to set the high frequencies.
- Adjust the mid frequencies between 59 Hz and 60 Hz for the best sound.
- Eliminate harsh peaks and dips with the amp's EQ control.
Below I will go deeper into this.
Adjusting the mid and high frequencies
The amplifier setting also depends on the type of amplifier in your car stereo. Beginners should make sure that there are no low frequencies near their speakers.
Also, you need an appropriate Gain setting to get the correct ipf and hpf for mods and maxes. Avoid distortion, although it can be easily minimized or eliminated. Distortion can cause untold damage to your speakers and ears. Distortion occurs when you set the gain control too high and then the amplifier sends clipped audio signals to the speakers. Loud music makes things worse because the speakers are already overloaded.
How to set gain control
To do this:
Step 1. Play a song you know because you know what it sounds like.
On the amp, find the Gain knob and turn it almost half way - don't set it to full power.
Step 2. Turn the volume up to 75 percent - distortion starts at very high volumes, so don't set the volume to maximum.
Step 3. Listen to the music playing and see if it's good.
Step 4. Go back to the gain control on the back of the amplifier and adjust it (hard) until distortion starts. Stop turning up the volume as soon as you notice traces of distortion.
Alternatively, you can use a multimeter to adjust the gain control.
Setting the maximums
If you want only high frequencies in your speakers, then the HPF high pass filter is what you need. The HPF blocks low frequency signals that are poorly reproduced by speakers and tweeters. Low frequency signals can burn out your speakers, so HPF helps prevent this.
The following steps will help you tune the treble:
Step 1: Flip the Hpf switch on the amplifier, or use a screwdriver to adjust it if there is no switch on it.
To activate the settings, toggle the high pass filter switch on your amplifier. Most amps have a switch, but it depends on the OEM.
Step 2: Set the High Pass Filter to 80Hz
HPFs realize their best processing performance from 80Hz to 200Hz, but the former is the best.
Any frequency below 80Hz should be routed to the subwoofer and bass speakers. After setting the HPF to 80Hz, adjust the LPF to capture frequencies below 80Hz. Thus, you eliminate gaps in sound reproduction - no frequency is left without attention.
Setting the middle frequencies
Most people ask me what frequency setting is best for mid frequencies. Here you go!
Step 1: Adjust the midrange between 50Hz and 60Hz.
It is extremely important to remember that the average frequency of the car's main speaker is between 50 Hz and 60 Hz. However, some audiophiles use equalizers for a more subtle taste. So, find the midrange knob on the amp and set it to 50Hz or 60Hz.
Step 2: Eliminate sharp peaks and dips
To do this, use modulation or equalizer settings. Sharp peaks and dips create harsh sounds, so be sure to eliminate them with your amp's EQ settings. (1)
Equalizer settings also separate the sound into low, medium and high frequencies. This allows you to customize them however you like; however, some prefer to use an app to tune the amplifier. But in general you need to set the highs a little higher than the mids for the best sound.
Finally, when setting up the amplifier settings, make sure they match your needs. People have different tastes in sound, and what sounds good to you may be lousy to another person. There are no bad or good sound or amplifier settings; The point is to eliminate distortion.
Basic terms and amplifier settings
It is necessary to understand the basic terms and how to set up a car amplifier before adjusting the mids and highs. Variables such as the music being played, the speaker, or the entire system affect the mid and high frequency tuning.
In addition, there are several buttons or settings on the back of the amplifier that require good knowledge of the amplifier. Otherwise, you may get confused or distort the setting. Below I will discuss the main concepts in detail.
frequency
Frequency is the number of oscillations per second, measured in Hertz, Hz. [1 Hertz == 1 cycle per second]
At high frequencies, audio signals generate high-pitched sounds. Therefore, frequency is a key element of mid and high frequencies in audio or music.
Bass is associated with bass, and you must have bass speakers in order to hear low frequencies. Otherwise, low frequency radio waves may damage other speakers.
In contrast, high frequencies are reproduced by instruments such as cymbals and other high-frequency equipment. However, we cannot hear all frequencies - the frequency range for the ear is 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Other frequency units in car amplifiers
Some manufacturers list the frequency in decibels (dB) of LPF, HPF, super bass, and so on.
Gain (input sensitivity)
Gain explains the sensitivity of an amplifier. You can protect your stereo system from audio distortion by adjusting the gain accordingly. Thus, by adjusting the gain, you achieve either more or less volume at the input of the amplifier. On the other hand, volume only affects speaker output.
Higher gain settings bring the sound closer to distortion. In this vein, you must fine-tune the gain settings to eliminate distortion at the speaker output. You will ensure that the speaker only delivers enough power to eliminate audio distortion.
Crossovers
Crossovers ensure that the correct signal reaches its rightful driver. This is an electronic device built into the car's audio circuitry to separate the audio frequency into different ranges. Each frequency range is routed to the appropriate speaker - tweeters, subwoofers and woofers. The tweeters receive the high frequencies, while the subwoofers and woofers receive the lowest frequencies.
High Pass Filters
They limit the frequencies that enter the speakers to only high frequencies - up to a certain limit. Accordingly, low frequencies are blocked. Thus, high-pass filters will not work with tweeters or small speakers that can be damaged when low-frequency signals pass through the filter.
Low Pass Filters
Low pass filters are the opposite of high pass filters. They allow you to transmit lower frequencies (up to a certain limit) to subwoofers and woofers - bass speakers. In addition, they filter out noise from audio signals, leaving smooth bass signals behind.
Summing up
Setting up a car amplifier for medium and high frequencies is not difficult. However, you must understand the basic components or elements of audio tuning - frequency, crossovers, gain control, and pass filters. With your favorite music and the right knowledge, you can achieve breathtaking sound effects in your stereo system. (2)
Take a look at some of our articles below.
- How to connect component speakers
- What is the pink wire on the radio?
- How many watts can a 16 gauge speaker wire handle
Recommendations
(1) Modulation to Equalizer — https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/modulation
(2) music – https://www.britannica.com/art/music
Video links
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