SETTING UP SYSTEMS AFTER INSTALLATION FOR BEST PERFORMANCE
13
General:
As mentioned in the “
General Installation Notes”
section, the system should now be powered up, and working. At this point, all crossover frequency and input selection
switches should be properly set for the application, and all volume, level and equalizer controls turned to minimum.
Level control setup:
Insert a CD or cassette that you are familiar with to use as a reference, and turn the head unit volume control to about 80% of its full setting to maintain an un clipped signal.
The system sound level will of course be very low, and the following procedures will help you to match the amplifier input sensitivities properly to the head unit output signal
level.
Single 2 channel amplifier system (XXV-JUNO):
Turn the level control up slowly, till you hear distortion, then back off a few degrees on the control.
Single 4 channel amplifier systems (XXV-GEMINI):
Turn the channel 1 & 2 level control up slowly, till you hear distortion, then back off a few degrees on the control.
Repeat for channel 3 & 4.
2 or 3 way active systems (all):
Always start with the bass, or low frequency amplifier as a reference, by turning its control up to the point where distortion is audible, and back it off some.
Now adjust the level control for the highs or tweeter channels in a 2 way active system, to balance the highs to lows.
In a 3 way active system, match the midrange level to the bass, and then the highs to the midrange and bass. It may be necessary to perform a few iterations of the midrange
and highs level control settings to achieve a satisfactory sound balance.
Crossover frequency fine tuning:
We had started off in the “General Installation Notes” section by setting crossover frequency controls to approximate positions, and now you can adjust these for best sound
quality. Be careful not to stray too far from those crossover frequencies as recommended by the loudspeaker manufacturer, as it is quite possible to damage midrange and
tweeters with excess power outside their nominal operating frequency ranges.
Equalizer setup:
Once all levels and crossover frequencies have been set for a pleasant sound balance, we can start equalizing the system frequency response. It is important to remember
that a boost applied at any frequency, or range of frequencies, will cause severe amplifier clipping. The following comments apply to ALL equalizers and tone controls on the
amplifiers, as well as those on head units and dash mount equalizers.
Use the head unit volume control to adjust the system to an intermediate level, and proceed to adjust equalizers and tone controls to personal taste. Now go back to the
Level control setup
above, and readjust all level controls.
Remote Bass Module:
Please understand that the Remote Bass Module (XXVR-1) is not a volume control, but rather a variable 45Hz Bass Boost. This module is intended for providing adjustable
bass impact during listening. Turning the module all the way to the right or using it as a volume control can damage the amplifier, subwoofers or speakers in the system.
Sit back and enjoy the music!
