E08: Amplifier Tuning with C.L.E.A.N. | Diamond R Garage 202

[@ragewarrior3743]

Nice work Eric, now that was super Ez 😉

[@rockfordfosgate]

Thanks brother! Appreciate your continued support and being a car audio fanatic!

[@noo123]

I set my p1000x1bd putput clip to where the blue light was just off. At say 30 volume on the 40hz o db test tone. Whe. Playing music at like 20 to 22 volume the blue light starts to flash on and off, and sometimes the blue and purple light. In this video you are saying to set the gain even higher, at just below the red lighr, so it is blue. Is it safe to run my subs and amp with the output light flahsing while music is playing then? Is it fine as long as it doesnt flash red. Until i get an answer i have it turned down so the blue output clip light never even blinks on. But based on what others have said and this video i am guessing i could turn my gain up more and be safe with the output light turing on while music is playing. Would appreciate a response

[@rockfordfosgate]

Once you have the setting dialed-in to your preferred gain overlap, it's completely normal for the LED to be flickering while the audio is playing.

[@Thizz2979]

I want to tune. Amp for one 10 but I’m running door speakers off headunit so no 4 channel just 500x1 at 2ohm don’t want harm door speakers when tuning

[@rockfordfosgate]

As long as the amplifier power output does not exceed the subwoofer's RMS power handling you should be fine. We recommend using the 40Hz at -10dB Gain Overlap track to set the gain for your subwoofer amplifier.

[@LiqeepEcho]

Looking for advice on adjusting gains on R2-500X4 model in my bmw e39, connected to a factory head unit audio source. The quirky thing here - the head unit stops working when you disconnect audio outputs from the AMP (I suppose it's some shady genius of german engineering). Thus, I'm not able to use clean in/out setup as advised in this video, what can I do? Can I use clean in/out gain adjustments while the speakers outputs are still connected?

[@rockfordfosgate]

Depending upon the year, you may need "load resistors" on the factory radio. This can be accomplished with an AudioControl or Metra Green adaptor. Please contact either of these companies for help on exactly what model you need for your specific year BMW.

[@silicondt1]

We did the 40hz @ 0db because that's what the old CLEAN guide said to do. It seems really quiet. Its a P1000X1BD driving a 12 kicker comp R. Should we be doing -10 instead? And if we use -10 do we also use that for the first step when setting and finding the input clip level? When I played a -10 40hz I noticed my HU doesn't clip even at full volume. But at 0db the HU clips at 42/50 volume. So basically - if we use a -10 tone, do we use this tone for both the first AND second step of CLEAN setup?

[@rockfordfosgate]

Hi @silicondt1, for STEP 1: finding the source unit clipping point, use 1kHz at 0dB. If your radio doesn't clip, then keep the volume at MAX and do not adjust it. For STEP 2: finding the amplifier's clipping point, use 40Hz at -10dB for the P1000X1bd that drives your subwoofers. If you have a dedicated amplifier for your midrange and tweeters (like a P400X4), use 1kHz at -5dB to find the clipping point on that amplifier. Now you're done, you can turn the volume down, remove the test tone tracks, and reconnect your speakers.

[@Thizz2979]

On the clean in when I run test tone front and rear are hooked up at same time or do front first with test tone then rear

[@rockfordfosgate]

When doing the CLEAN setup, no speakers should be connected. When doing the CLEAN "IN", there is only 1 LED to determine the clipping point of the radio. This affects all channels of the amplifier. For the CLEAN "OUT", there are individual settings for Front/Rear (R2-300X4, R2-500X4) or Front/Rear/Sub (R2-750X5). Use the corresponding test tone for the speakers residing on that channel. For example, we recommend 5dB on mids/tweeters and 10dB for subs. Therefore, if running mids/tweeters on the FRONT channels, use a -5dB @ 1kHz tone. If running subs bridged on the rear channels, use a -10dB @ 40Hz tone.

[@Thizz2979]

@@rockfordfosgate i was meaning rca to front and rear at same time when running test tone for clean inn or test front by itself then run test to rear by itself no speakers are hooked up sorry

[@rockfordfosgate]

@@Thizz2979 Thanks for the clarification. Use whatever channels are running full-range or running High-Pass (if the source unit has a built-in crossover).

[@Thizz2979]

@@rockfordfosgate I got red blinking hear and there on both out put sounds great tho am I clipping

[@rockfordfosgate]

@@Thizz2979 When you're running the system, the clip LEDs should just barely be flickering.

[@5zwoodworks]

I just purchased the R2-500x1. I have audiocontrol's LC2 LOC. I dial that in before the amp for my sub. The problem I'm having is that after I dial in the amp the way you recommend, I've noticed that when the subwoofer hits, both the clean-in and clean-out lights turn red. Is this normal?

[@rockfordfosgate]

The LC2-LOC isn't necessary because there is a built-in LOC into the amplifier. However, since you have it already and want to use it, I'm assuming the amplifier gains are left at MINIMUM. For normal operation, the LEDs should just barely flicker during heavy bass notes. If they are illuminating SOLID, then you'll need to back off the LC2 level setting.

[@Thizz2979]

so I got another project running all fosgate except using a Lc7 pro I’m using R2-500x4 I do these same steps for tuning using lc7 pro

[@rockfordfosgate]

Yes, once you choose the right track (say 1kHz +5dB for mids/tweets) adjust the MASTER VOLUME on the radio so the R2-500X4 INPUT LED just begins to clip. Then adjust the LC7i-Pro OUTPUT so the same INPUT LED just begins to clip (this will give you the hottest signal possible going into the amplifier). Then you'll adjust the R2-500X4 OUTPUT level as shown in the video above.

[@Thizz2979]

@@rockfordfosgate thank u so much 🙏

[@Thizz2979]

@@rockfordfosgate set accu bass last ??

[@rockfordfosgate]

@@Thizz2979 You'll need to adjust the gain settings first so you have a baseline to set the AccuBass. Then you may need to go back and tweak the gain setting for the subwoofer amplifier using the revised AccuBass setting.

[@Thizz2979]

@@rockfordfosgate sounds great thank u so much just ordered some rca from website today😂😂

[@AkarMohamad-n6u]

Ok,so I have a line output converter,and an r2-250x1,I don’t know if I should tune the converter at all and stick to the amp only.

[@rockfordfosgate]

The R2 amplifier has a built-in converter, so if it's not mandatory, just use the one built-in to the amplifier.

[@EthanCruze]

I just replaced my R500.1D to Prime R2-500X1 the Amp is perfectly good working condition…but when I plug the bass knob the amp I think goes to protective mode but it’s not shutting down or anything I turn the bass knob nothing no sound or gain from the sub….but when I unplug the bass knob all goes back to normal…I send a email to Rockford and search if there’s anyone has same issues but no luck I purchase the amp about 2 weeks ago..

[@rockfordfosgate]

When you replaced the amplifier with the R2-500X1, are you also using the new cable and new level control that came with it? If you are and the amplifier is brand new, the cable and/or the knob might be damaged.

[@steveleston1848]

got a link for the test tone I want to set up my new RF sub an RF mono amp.

[@rockfordfosgate]

For subwoofers, we recommend a 40Hz test tone at -5db or 40Hz test tone at -10dB. This will give you the best ratio between good sound quality and loudness.

[@WilliamMunny-d8s]

HEY MAN i just bought a RF powered subwoofer, i think its the 10 inch unit. i dont seem to have this clean technology in my powered sub so whats best way to tune this thing. right now its in a 2015 2LT camaro with stock boston accoustics system. SO i took hi level inputs off the rear six x9 speakers. i have the crossover set to about 80hz the bassboost remote is not hooked up. 6 months ago when i got this thing i couldnt seem to get it to work properly at all or it woould get bumped and overdrive the sub severely , so i adjust it manually at the sub right now i just readjusted the bass boost to midlevel/50% and the gain is really low because with sirius BPM playing about 50% volume on the camaro head unit anything more than about 9 oclock on the gain control was distorting

[@rockfordfosgate]

If it's the P300-10 or P300-10 then everything inside the built-in amplifier is all you need. Sounds like you have the right signal input and the right crossover (80Hz) setup. The Remote control is a "Level Control" so it acts like a volume knob for the bass (not a frequency centered boost). Typically, you'll adjust the volume on the radio to the loudest you'll ever listen to your system, then slowly increase the Subwoofer Level Control until it has the right amount of bass. You'll then reduce the master volume and be done. If you need help, you can always call our technical support at 1-800-669-9899 Mon-Fri 8am - 5pm.

[@Ryryn808]

If I am play music from my phone via BT, should my phone be at full volume and adjust the volume on the head unit, or should it be the other way around while tuning?

[@rockfordfosgate]

Great question @Ryryn808. When the source is Bluetooth, adjust the volume on your mobile device to around 9 out of 10. This will give you the highest output voltage from the mobile device (if it does sound distorted, lower it slightly). Then you would proceed and adjust the volume on the source unit, because the source unit pre-amp can still clip the audio.

[@JA-gc4df]

Is it possible to use the PLC2 bass knob with a Prime Amp? I already own a Prime 1200 amp and wish I had the clip light on the bass knob

[@rockfordfosgate]

Unfortunately, no. Here’s the compatibility chart for Prime amplifiers: rftech.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1178/

[@JA-gc4df]

@@rockfordfosgate okay thanks. Maybe you can look into that for the future 😉.

[@krustyk34]

"This is the Maximum level you should ever turn your volume to": Does this mean I can never turn my radio louder than, say, 33%? So I can never make the music as loud as I want. So I am limited. The other question I have is if I use speakers that could use 80 watts RMS and my amplifier puts out 75 watts RMS. Will my radio still clip? or to better ask, will the amplifier clip?

[@rockfordfosgate]

The point at which you determine the "maximum level you should ever turn your volume to" is likely around 3/4 or 7/8 volume. We recommend not turning your volume knob past this level. It depends upon which audio track you use. If you set your amplifier gains using the 1kHz at 0dB, then no, your amplifier will not clip. However, if you use the 1kHz at -5dB or -10dB, then yes, your amplifier will clip.

[@orfeous]

This did not work for me. High level inputs using the Rock-Fordfosgate high-rca adapter. No input signal when i connect rear channels. I want to send that rear channels via rca passtrough to my 4 channel amp rear channels inputs.

[@rockfordfosgate]

This sounds like an issue with your input, not the CLEAN circuit. If you’re using the high-level input built into the amp or using an external hi-to-low adaptor, check to make sure you have proper signal feeding the amp. You can test by switching the known working inputs to the other channels that don’t work and monitor for output.

[@allmotorhash]

Does this work on Rzr Pro r stage 6 system as well?

[@rockfordfosgate]

The amplifier for the RZR19PXP-STG6 is already pre-tuned using the PRESET switch. Be sure to keep the switch in the ON position to use our pre-configured CLEAN setup.

[@allmotorhash]

@@rockfordfosgate after spending hours tuning i still go back to preset 😈 mode

[@rockfordfosgate]

@@allmotorhash We recommend our PRESET because not only do we have hours of tuning development, but also hours of analyzing customer abuse to find the right settings. The result provides performance that fanatics expect from Rockford Fosgate without breaking speakers.

[@allmotorhash]

@@rockfordfosgate the preset mode is something not achievable by manual tunning care to elaborate onboard dsp designs?

[@rockfordfosgate]

@@allmotorhash The PRESET switch sets these configurations on the M5-1500X5: - Front /Rear Level - 1 O’Clock - Sub Level - 3 O’Clock - Front/Rear/Sub Punch EQ - MIN - Front/Rear/Sub Crossover - 80Hz - Front/Rear X-over Switch - HP These switches must be set manually: - Sub Input - ON* - Input Switch - 2CH*

[@AkarMohamad-n6u]

Because the converter also has gain outputs too.

[@rockfordfosgate]

If it's absolutely mandatory to use the external converter, then you'll need to find the clipping point of the radio volume FIRST, before attaching the converter. Once that volume setting is determined, leave the volume at that level, attach the external converter, then adjust the level on the converter until it begins to show clipping on the CLEAN "IN" LED.

[@Living_EDventures]

Great knowledge!

[@rockfordfosgate]

Thank you for the feedback! -Eric