How to Set Up a New Car Amplifier

Once an amplifier is installed in a car it still needs to be set up. Setting up the new amplifier is very important to receive the best performance from your amplifier, and not blow your speakers. Read on to learn how to set up a new car amplifier.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Keep the power to your amplifier turned off.

2. Read your manual on how to adjust the volume levels which are usually referred to as "gain."

3. Adjust the gain all the way down on your amplifier. Be sure to also turn down the bass boost and any other volume-related settings.

4. Set the passover to the correct setting, if applicable to your amplifier. Set it to "high pass" for tweeters, "full" for midrange speakers and "low" for sub-woofers.

5. Turn your amplifier and car radio on. Set the radio volume to your normal listening level.

6. Increase the gain slowly until the speaker reaches the desired level.

7. Adjust the bass boost to your desired level if your amplifier has that feature.

Tips & Warnings

• If you hear distortion in the speakers before you reach your desired volume level considering replacing them with higher quality speakers.
• Loud music will damage your hearing over prolonged listening.

[playsguitars]

on 12/5/2008 and what's a "passover"? Crossover is more like it.

[playsguitars]

on 12/5/2008 First of all, "gain" isn't a volume knob. It's a "sensitivity" control. Secondly, "bass boost" is a specific boost to a set (usually) frequency. This control helps subwoofers in a sealed box hit harder at that frequency. (usually set at around 50hz)
Thirdly, you should turn your stereo up to 3/4 volume, and set the amp's sensitivity with test tones. More informative information, ehow...