Help me get full power with my set-up!!

[mpbclutch33]

I have a Alpine MRP-450 Amplifier and a single 12" 1252W DVC Infinity Reference Sub running off the Stock Oem headunit for now. It doesn't sound like it is hitting hard at all. I have the gain at about 3/4. Not sure what the other two settings on the side should be at.

Specs on the AMP:http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-e...tab=F

Specs on the Sub:Speaker Features Speaker Type Subwoofer Speaker Diameter 12" Amplification Type Passive Power Nominal Output Power 300 Watt Sensitivity 93 dB Impedance 2/8 Ohm Response Bandwidth 23 - 400 Hz Mounting Dimensions Bottom Mounting Depth 5.1 in Mounting Diameter 11.2 in Miscellaneous Connectivity Technology Wired Additional Features Dual voice coil

[rjdmmfl1]

Brutal Honesty:

your problem is, that's a weak amp, and an even weaker sub... 300 watts is NOT alot of power handling for a sub. With that setup, I'm afraid there's not a whole lot you can do, especially off of the stock headunit

[mpbclutch33]

It's cool. I thought I did some good research before I bought it and they both got very good reviews. I had the same setup in my truck but it hit harder, but I had a Alpine H/U. I didn't think it would make that much difference. Anyways, as for the setting on the amp, could someone tell me what is the "Bass Eq" and "LP Filter" and what should the settings be at? I tried tweeking them, but really didn't notice too much difference.

[vballer22]

How did you wire the subwoofer? It could be wired at 8 ohms if you don't know.

[mpbclutch33]

I believe it is wire Negative to Negative, Positive to Positive inside the box. Is that right?

Like this.

[rjdmmfl1]

What baller mentioned could be one thing... it could be wired at 8 ohms (parallel) and not 2 ohms (series). Or, only one voice coil may be being used (not recomended since you cut the wooofers power in half)

After you check and make sure you are runnning 2 ohms, hit us up.

The biggest differences you are seeing from this setup and your truck is 1. volume of air being moved in the A/C trunk vs truck bed and 2. HEADUNIT!

Alpine headunits are usually putting out ~ 22 RMS power with 5-6volt RCA preouts . The stock headunit is probably putting out ~12-15 watts RMS, and when you factor in the high lo converter you used to hook up the amp, it just makes for a very low quality sound going to your woofers.

If you want to keep the factory deck, I would suggest installing an audio processor like a JL audio cleansweep or a rockford 3sixty.1. These units have hi volt perouts and pretty good EQ's and crossovers to maximize the sound in your entire system, including the subwoofers!

Oh yes, EQ is Equalizer setting , usually -12 ~ +12 db... and LP filter is the low pass crossover. When a subwoofer is connected to an amp with interchangeable HP/LP settings, it should be on LP. So if you set the amp LP filter to 80 Hz, then the amp will ONLY send signals BELOW 80 Hz to the woofer. Amps (or sound processors) with HP filters will send signals HIGHER than that setting to the speakers. So, for your highs, you would want to set the HP filter to like 120 HZ, thus elimanting the deep bass going to the internal speakers and only sending frequencies HIGHER than 120 Hz to them!

just found this wuick tutorial, thi should help explain things if my explanation was unclear...

http://www.mobileelectronics.c...35875

[mpbclutch33]

WOW !!! That is a great explaination of everything. I am thinking about getting the Pioneer AVHP4000DVD since I already have a portable Garmin GPS and For under $400, you can't beat it. I have heard pretty good reviews, so I think I am swaying that way. That should help plus now I understand what the settings do. Thanks alot rjdmmfl1

[rjdmmfl1]

WOW !!! That is a great explaination of everything. I am thinking about getting the Pioneer AVHP4000DVD since I already have a portable Garmin GPS and For under $400, you can't beat it. I have heard pretty good reviews, so I think I am swaying that way. That should help plus now I understand what the settings do. Thanks alot rjdmmfl1

off top, simply replacing your factory deck with the pioneer deck will increase power going to your amp!

Also, what type of battery are you using? Have you done a "Big Three" upgrade of your factory wiring? Do you have a capacitor installed?

[mpbclutch33]

Do you know anything about the Pioneer 4000? I have always had Alpine H/U's. "Big Three Upgrade"???? No I don't have a capacitor installed. What the purpose of that? Always looking to add new toys !!