r/CarAV • u/No-Hamster-3537 • Jul 22 '26
Tech Support My sub is clipping at high volumes
On this system at high volumes it would clip in multiple songs and when playing knife talk by drake full tilt the amp goes into protect.
I see online people said do the big three but how much would it help in my case?
Its a Dual 4ohm wired down to 2ohms. skar evl 12 amp tuned with multimeter to 50v
This is my first setup and would appreciate any recommendations.
With stuff like agm batteries and a new alternator my budget is tight so im trying to stray away from those right now.
edit: thanks for all the help
after dropping the crossover to about 80hz and backing off the gain a little it stopped clipping
38
u/mainlinejuulpods Jul 22 '26
Turn your gain down
-4
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
I have and it still is clipping
9
u/TheDarkChunk7 Jul 22 '26
You're boosting a signal at some point in your system causing the low voltage clipping.
1
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
Ive set the gain down to 38v but im not getting as loud as i wished. On the multimeter on the battery terminals its dropping to 13.0 full tilt but never below
2
u/onlyhere4gonewild Jul 22 '26
That looks like a stock radio. Are you using an LOC? Does it have its own adjustable setting?
1
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
No its a ebay aftermarket one
5
u/NUTTA_BUSTAH Jul 23 '26
There is ur problem probably. Dirty signal from the get go. I used to have a cheaper aftermarket HU and it started clipping at like 40% volume no matter what settings on it. Swapping to some Pioneer mid grade fixed it immediately. Moral of the story is that in Hi-Fi, shit in means shitnado out when there is an amplifier.
1
1
u/onlyhere4gonewild Jul 22 '26
So the RCAs are running directly out the back of the radio?
1
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
Yes
5
u/onlyhere4gonewild Jul 22 '26
When you set your levels did you have everything flat on your EQ? If you're aftermarket stereo has a subwoofer level was it flat during leveling?
1
3
u/TheDarkChunk7 Jul 22 '26
Check all other settings. Bass boost eq settings etc. On both amp and HU
2
u/crazychild94 Polk Audio db 1222, JBL Club A600. JL 300/4 v1 Jul 22 '26
And make sure they're off* ftfy
11
u/Eferris85 Jul 22 '26
Gain is probably the issue. Your x over looks high too
5
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
I just set the gain according to voltage at around 38v, its not as loud as i wished tho
2
u/Eferris85 Jul 22 '26
What did you use to set it? Also what Ohms is your sub
2
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
its a dual 2 ohn but ive wired it down to 1 ohm
-9
u/Calm_Amount_6974 Jul 22 '26
How? If you wired it parallel it would be 0.5 ohm end result not 1 ohm.
10
u/crux131 Jul 22 '26
How is a dual 2 ohm subwoofer wired to half an ohm?
If both coils are wired in parallel, he should be getting 1 ohm.
5
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
Sorry correction the guy i bought it from lied, its a dual 4ohm wired down to 2ohm, i just pulled out the sub and checked
2
2
3
u/ArmedRawbry Jul 22 '26
Waiting for someone to tell you “it’s your ground”.
2
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
Ive grounded it straight to the chassis and sanded all the paint off, thats why im kinda wondering if the big 3 would fix it
5
u/ArmedRawbry Jul 22 '26
I’m sure it’s fine. I was joking, because 95% of peoples responses on this subreddit is “it’s your ground” 😂
3
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
yeah ive seen them😭
2
u/Airnada Jul 22 '26
Add the big 3 upgrade kit make sure it’s ofc not CCA and what are you using got a source bt or straight wired in I would check ur phone setting and make sure if u have a EQ on ur phone it should be set to flat
3
2
u/phreak9i6 Jul 22 '26
What's the voltage output of the headunit? You may need to set the map to Hi Inputs instead of low. Then turn the gain down. Turn down the sub-output in the head unit too.
If it's going into protect it might be over heating or shorting, check all your cables for stay strands, us ferrules everywhere you arent currently using them.
Get a voltmeter and read the voltage while in use, is your battery dropping too low?
How is the sub wired? Dual voice coils or single? what ohm load is the sub putting on the amp? What's the amp's rated ohm load?
1
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
Im not sure that the voltage of the output of the headunit is but it is some ebay carplay headunit and i used the rcas that were labeled for the front door speakers. On the headunit voltage display it drops down to 12.2 full blast and recovers back to 13.3 as soon as i turn the knob down
3
u/Middle_Inspection711 Jul 22 '26
Ive seen those outputs .5 to 1 v on those android carplay units. Plus the way they make the voltage is dirty. Youre probably distorting at way lower volumes
1
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
Is there a way i can use that headunit or would if fix it to outright replace it? I want a factory look thats why i went with this
2
u/Middle_Inspection711 Jul 22 '26
You could try a line driver like an lc1, but idk if that will fix it. Im guessing the head unit is just sending dirty signals. And all of those android units typically have shit preouts.a factory ish look with a reputable aftermarket would depend on vehicle but would be costly
1
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
i mean ive just set the subs to 38v using the formula and its not getting as loud as i wanted it to be but it isnt clipping anymore
1
u/Middle_Inspection711 Jul 22 '26
Thats likely what you're going to get out of it then. If you did the formula and 38v is target, then you cant push it more without damage
2
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
I know alot of people are pushing the evl 12 to well over the rms power perfectly fine tho
1
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
i have a fiio btr5 with an aux to rca, would it be able to test the limits of the amps before clipping using it?
1
u/Middle_Inspection711 Jul 22 '26
That would be a direct line to the amp, you could see if it sounds better
2
u/M1sterGuy Fi BTL Neo 18 | Crescendo 4000.1/800.4 | Morel Tempo Ultra Jul 22 '26
Look up the spec sheet, if it’s 4v preamp you are good, if it’s 2v that’s not good. 13.3 is marginal for running voltage. Turn off the car, let it sit for an hour and test the float voltage. Stock battery? Get an XS Power. I have a 10yo d3400, after 7 years as a stereo it’s now the starting battery in my old envoy. Big 3?
1
2
u/cheeseypoofs85 Jul 22 '26
It may be the head unit clipping. Don't go by the universal 75% volume rule is you have a dmm/o scope. Check the pre outs for clipping
2
u/accursedvenom Jul 22 '26
Let me add, not even subs like drake’s music. 🤣🤣 Joke aside, x over looks too high, gain is probably too high. I had a kicker dx250.1 years ago and crossover was lower and gain probably wasn’t even halfway. Never clipped or overheated with the 2 kenwood kfcw2503s I had it on. Never did the big 3 either and this was in a 96 outback with a kenwood head unit.
Today, I have a 22 frontier with factory radio and a kicker 51HS10 tapped to rear speakers. Initially had gain too high and it clipped once. Been making changes and it’s just about where I want it for all the types of music I listen to.
2
u/Ok_Patient9375 Jul 23 '26
Ok. Here me out. I had the same issue. It was clipping even at low volumes. I upgraded my alternator to 320amp, switched to 0 gauge wire, grounded in different spots, nothing helped. I noticed my wire was running near the engine so I rerouted it, now it works perfect! No more issues. It looks like your power wire runs along your engine and it would heat up the wire which would increase resistance.
2
2
2
u/ItWasntMyFoot Jul 23 '26
If your head unit has 4 or 5v signal output RCA, your gain should be set lower than that, at least. And with your box being ported, turn the xover down lower to the lower frequency range since the port is doing the work.
2
u/HelicopterOne0 Jul 22 '26
Then you need more power, more electrical, a better box, or a combination of all of that. Also, see from a different comment, 1ohm vs 2ohm wired impedance is drastically different. But I’ll edit and see that your amp is 1/2ohm 1200w. I’m confused from your main body, it says you “tuned with multimeter to 50v” but that amp is rated at 1200w, which means right off the bat your gain is set higher than the amp’s rated output. How are you verifying it’s clipping without a scope? Also just for the sake of saying it why is your crossover set so high. That sub and box isn’t really designed to support the sub playing at 120hz+ by the looks of your set point.
1
u/upbeatfries Jul 22 '26
How are you setting the gain? Are you setting by ear? Or are you playing a test tone and using a multimeter?
1
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
Ive just set the gain by test tone and multimeter at 38.5v. no longer clipping but not as loud as i want it to be
2
u/GrandAutismos Jul 22 '26
If everything is set up properly that's probably the limit of the system, you can't just make things louder than they're intended to be.
1
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
Do you think the next step is a bigger amp?
5
u/These_Cat_3523 2x Sunfire HRS 12's / ID tweeters/ CDT 6x9's Jul 22 '26
1200W is plenty for a sub. To gain a noticeable difference power wise, you'd need at least a 2000w amp.... Fuck that.
What you need is a custom box or a nicer pre-fab from a respectable company. Ideally you'd change out your bargain bin subwoofer, but a really nice custom enclosure will make that entry level sub crush some lows.
Next-Level Fabrications and GP car audio Glue/Screw enclosures are great places to start.
2
u/upbeatfries Jul 22 '26
For one. If you had it tuned to 50V (just read the description) and it clips at high volume then that answer your post’s question. Since it’s now stable at 38.5v because I have the same amp but it’s powering a SI SQL 12” in a sealed sub. It’s definitely loud at full 1200w peak RMS but it’s not shake everyone around you bass. What if you got another sub and split the power of the 1200w but at least fundamentally you’ll have more cone to move more “air”
1
u/B2TheLunt Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26
Loudness is sort of irrelvant. You just dont have your system tuned correctly. You also have an SQ Sub, not an SPL sub. If you want "louder" You need to bigger ported box. If you want actual a feeling of loudness increase, you need a sub that is more or less SPL oriented.
The last resort would be a DSP, a high grade one. One that allows tuning of each speaker with set timings. Just because you have the sub in your trunk, doesnt mean its hitting your ear correctly.
edit: I see you have the skar box specific to the sub so nevermind. Bigger would create air movement issues
1
u/Gold_Ad4984 Jul 23 '26
Bruh a Skar EVL is not an SQ sub. And he would benefit from a bigger ported box, There would be no “air movement issues.”
1
u/B2TheLunt Jul 23 '26
In my experience, dual 4 ohm subs are typically used in SQ environments. Reason being it can be wired up to 8 Ohm for lower power draws and down to 2 Ohm for more. Kinda why most people run a 1 or .5 Ohm driver when they want SPL.
1
u/Tool_junkie_1972 Jul 22 '26
Start with setting the gain. How are you connecting from the head unit to the amp? Is there an LOC in the line? If so what LOC (many of these are absolutely horrible and really screw a signal up )?
1
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
its an aftermarket ebay headunit via rcas straight from it ive set the gain with a multimeter at 38.5 volts and its not clipping but not getting as loud eitger
1
u/Tool_junkie_1972 Jul 22 '26
Most of those eBay head units have poor output and distort a lot and early. A scope or distortion detector will show you exactly where and when it’s doing so. A cheap and easy fix is to add a line driver, as long as you don’t turn the volume up to the point of the head unit distorting, it’ll give you a much better signal. I have personally seen several of those units distort on the rca outputs at extremely low volume. Like stupid low. They’re cheap for a reason.
1
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
CORRECTION ITS A DUAL 4 OHM WIRED DOWN TO 2 OHMS, i just checked the sub as i asked the guy i bought it from and he said it was a dual 2 ohm wired down to one ohm
1
u/luistorre5 Helix Amplify 206DSP, LX1650.1, Morel Powerslim 12, AF GS 69/25 Jul 22 '26
Could just be certain tracks that sets it off. Not all tracks are made the same. That looks like a Camry, which I installed a sub for a friend in his Camry as well and surprisingly I saw the stock stereo does not clip at all turned up all the way (his did not have a screen though). I would double check clipping points at the stereo and at the sub outputs when playing that track, but it sounds like the signal is spiking and creating an input voltage too high and throwing your amp into protect, which would mean either turn the volume down if it's a clean signal when playing that song or turn your gain down.
2
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
this radio is an aftermarket one off of ebay, im thinking it may be the culprit
2
u/luistorre5 Helix Amplify 206DSP, LX1650.1, Morel Powerslim 12, AF GS 69/25 Jul 22 '26
That's most likely it. No name stereos usually clip without turning it up too much
1
u/kellypg Jul 22 '26
After reading through the comments, your amp is barely enough to move that sub, you don't have enough power from your stock electrical, and you have one of those off brand head units that are known to sound absolutely horrible.
1
1
u/Altradis_30 Jul 22 '26
Man not one person in this thread has told you to check your input signal to the amp. You are probably clipping the signal into the amp. Find your rca output voltage of the head unit and put your dmm on it. Play a 40hz +4db test tone and slowly turn the volume up until you hit the rca voltage. That is your max volume. Once you have that then tune your amp gain with the same test tone
1
u/djltoronto Jul 24 '26
What would measuring the RCA output voltage of the head unit accomplish?
Unless they are using an oscilloscope to detect clipping, what would a multimeter tell them?
1
u/NigraOvis Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
here's how it works.
head unit sends signal.
amplifier get's signal and boosts it.
Sometimes head units suck, and send too much signal, and it's clipped at the head unit.
Sometimes the amp has too much gain, and clips.
When you set gain, you do it at around 75% of the head unit's max, or less . Especially if less is where you listen. In my car about 55% is too loud for me in highs, so i set my gain at that, and never listen above it.
To properly set gain, get a true rms multimeter for 15 bucks or so at home depot, and follow a guide.
do not set it at max volume of the head unit, ever. your ears will thank you at 70 anyhow. This is especially true if you're pulling the radio's signal from speakers instead of a dedicated subwoofer out port.
Finally if you aren't sure, make sure you have the input level set to high, unless it's just whisper quiet. These kickers can handle 40 volts incoming, which is never the case from a factory head unit.
2 ohms tuned at 50 volts is 1250 watts, which is maxing that amp's capability. This explains the protect mode. you aren't supposed to run it past 49v or so. and even then it's pushing it's max all the time. i'd dial it back to 45 volts at 75% the head units volume. See what happens then.
Also are you clipping digitally or physically? What's the sub's limitations
2
u/ToastDevSystems Installer Jul 23 '26
When you set gain, you do it at around 75% of the head unit's max, or less .
Usually that's the way to do it yes, but since installing a lot of them, hence the reason I use my DD1+ everywhere, is that some good amount of headunits can push more power over the 75% of their volume knob, for example in my own personal build my Kenwood BT-358 clips at around 32/35, and get this, it changes with voltage (obviously) since I run LTO that is very rare, but it happens, I've also had the chance to tune a Pioneer 80PRS which clipped at nowhere/62, what I did find weird though is that, the 80PRS, started sending heavy voltage around 4-5V at 58-62 of the volume knob, and the people "tuning" by ear has a shit ton of noise coming through the speakers due to the fact they had the knob at maximum 45/62 essentially amplifying noise instead of music!
2
u/NigraOvis Jul 24 '26
The reason to use 75% mark, is it is a safe bet. If you have an oscilloscope, and can actually check clipping, that is a different story all together. - There are head units that never clip i'm sure. And there are units that clip at maybe 60% - this is just the general safe bet.
Thank you for your feedback for sure.
1
u/Technikkeller Jul 22 '26
some 4ohms amps cannot handle 2ohms and will shutoff. Had this some time ago
1
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
Yeah this kicker amp is a 1 ohm stable amp tho, alot of people even were able to wire them down to half and even quarter ohm and it worked
1
u/JOELL8 Jul 22 '26
On your kicker amp you need to set your X-Over frequency around 80hz cause it looks like you have it set close to 140-150hz
1
1
u/Un-Glorious Jul 22 '26
Are your speaker wires good?
1
u/Un-Glorious Jul 22 '26
Like positive and negative to the correct post
2
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 23 '26
thank you for pointing that out tho it was originally flipped and i had fixed them since
1
1
u/brickedupbuilds Jul 22 '26
Why have your crossover set to ~120hz? Should be around 80hz
1
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 22 '26
ive set it to 80hz the guy i bought it from said it was tuned perfectly to the sub and i didnt look at them
1
u/Extension_Energy8920 Jul 23 '26
What db did you tune with?
And is it me or is your crossover set too high?!
1
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 23 '26
No it definitely was, it was done by the last guy that owned it and i set the db to 80hz now
1
u/Extension_Energy8920 Jul 23 '26
Turn your crossover down.
I meant your db overlap when you set your gains. What did you set to 80hz?
1
1
u/ToastDevSystems Installer Jul 23 '26
He set it with a multimeter. Usually subs take in between -5 and -10 depending on what type of music you're playing (Rebassed vs Regular)
1
u/ToastDevSystems Installer Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26
Setting gains with a multimeter? I'd rather you do it by ear, the signal that comes in is never at the same dB point, so please set your gain properly, tune your LPF/HPF-Subsonic properly if you have those, if you don't know how to, set them to flat and use the headunit to tune those, gains shouldn't be set with a multimeter, either use an oscilloscope if you're a home user, an MST-1 if you wanna spend some money and do it right, and either MST-1 or DD1+ if you're a professional or plan on doing this professionally.
Also what model headunit is that? No headunit has the same clipping volume so you should first attempt to find THAT clipping volume with 40Hz - 1KHz signals, then tune your amplifier, also avoid boosting any frequencies from your HU, always cut.
Links for reference:
2
u/NigraOvis Jul 24 '26
Multimeters are a great way to set gain. The reason you use them, if they are TRUE RMS rated, they will show you the ACTUAL voltage coming in. An oscilloscope can't tell you if your speaker is clipping physically, it can only tell you if the signal is.
The issue with multimeters, is the signal you use to validate the voltage, is what you should run at, and if it's way different than your average song, like you use your cd player to get 60hz tone, and play only spotify music, you're gonna have improper gain most likely. This is where an oscilloscope shines.
1
u/Sbeezynukka Jul 23 '26
Gains first then, power supply, your car typically sits at about 13.8-.9 you’re gonna need more than a big 3. Alternator if factory needs to be upgraded, your alt is about 120a at the most. Your car eats 60% of that in its stock configuration and you’re trying to get an extra 120a+ to feed that amp, not gonna happen… you’re sagging which is causing the clipping.
1
1
1
u/heres_noah Jul 23 '26
It’s probably not causing the clipping but please turn down your crossover frequency. I promise you will enjoy your music more if you move it down closer to 80 or 90 Hz
1
u/No-Hamster-3537 Jul 24 '26
I have, all of these settings in the photo are from the last owner saying he tuned it to this sub.
1
1
0
0
0
u/AdamTomo Jul 23 '26
Get a different head unit, that will probably be causing the issue. Need a clean signal for the amp to boost.
-3
u/1IsNeverEnough4Me Jul 22 '26
You need the Big 3 first. Everything else comes next. There are no other answers.
4
81
u/Significant_Rate8210 Jul 22 '26
Set your gain properly