Gain Setting Kicker KXA/KXMA amplifiers
Why is setting the gain adjustment different on the KXA and KXMA amplifiers?
The KXA series amplifiers have a unique circuit that will make precision-setting of the gain control
very easy even if you do not have an oscilloscope to see input clipping. This circuit is designed to illuminate
the gain control knob when the input signal reaches 1% distortion. To set the gain up correctly you can
use test tones available from Kicker’s website,
You can also use the test tones on the
app
if you are going to use your portable device as your music source most of the time. Ensure you have the
tone settings on the device set flat, and volume is turned up all the way if you are using the 3.5 mm
headphone jack or Bluetooth. If you choose to use different test tones, make sure they are unclipped, not
attenuated, and uncompressed
Here are the guidelines for using the test tones available on the Kicker Support tab:
0dBFS: Designed for audiophile applications to give you distortion-free audio output with the most
dynamic range.
-5dBFS: Designed for normal/daily applications, there will be less dynamic range but higher potential
audio output levels. With this set up you can get some occasional clipping from the amplifier (at
higher volume), but higher overall volume levels.
-10dBFS: Designed only for Subwoofer applications, there will be less dynamic range but higher
potential audio output levels. With this set up you can get some occasional clipping from the amplifier
(at higher volume), but even higher overall volume levels than when using the -5dBFS test tone.
The -5dB and -10 dB test tones are recorded at a lower level. This will give you more overall output from
the system but you will not have as much protection from overdriving your speakers and you will have
more potential for speaker damage. To set your gains, use the 0dB tracks for the best dynamic range, the
-5dB tracks for greater overall volume and the –10dB tracks for subwoofers. Subwoofers can generally
handle more distortion, which is harder to hear at lower frequencies.
