Kicker amp/sub setting help - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

UNDsioux · 01-09-2012, 12:11 PM

I have a kicker mono amp powering a kicker 12 sub. I am wondering what the settings should be for the best sound. I am a newbie at sound settings. I have had the bass boost, frequency, and gain all random now and I am wondering if I can do stuff for the best sound. If possible, I'm looking for tight, hard hitting bass not loud loose vibrations. Any help will be appreciated and if you have any questions to help me out further I can answer. Thanks!!

MikeYoungSS1 · 01-09-2012, 01:37 PM

Really this is a personal preference and everyone will have opinions but i'd start by turning off built in equalizer settings, crossover frequency settings, bass boost etc. at the head unit. Next at the amp turn down your bass boost knob all the way if it's equipped with one, turn your crossover freq knob all the way to the right and your input sensitivity dial needs to be turned all the way down.

Next put on a song you normally listen to and one that you know exactly how you want the bass notes to play at.

At the head unit, turn the volume up as loud as you can take it. Slowly move the input sensitivity dial until the point that the bass sounds overwhelming to the other speakers and then back it down slowly till it sounds balanced. My input sensitivity dial is set about half way on my sub amp. Next you want to set the crossover frequency on the amp to a setting that eliminates high range music including vocals. I have my sub xovr freq. set at 60 hz because i just want to hear the kick drum and bass instruments without boominess being introduced. You also run the risk of localizing your sub if you set the freq at a range that includes other instruments. Once again this is based on your own ears though and the style of music you normally listen to. Do not move the bass boost knob on the amp until after you set your equalizer settings and loudness control etc. at the head unit. Drive around at all speeds to determine how much bass effect you lose and then start turning the bass boost knob until that point where it sounds right while driving.

UNDsioux · 01-09-2012, 02:27 PM

Still can't get it to sound right

01-09-2012, 12:11 PM	#1
UNDsioux Drives: 45th Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Grand Forks ND Posts: 427	Kicker amp/sub setting help I have a kicker mono amp powering a kicker 12 sub. I am wondering what the settings should be for the best sound. I am a newbie at sound settings. I have had the bass boost, frequency, and gain all random now and I am wondering if I can do stuff for the best sound. If possible, I'm looking for tight, hard hitting bass not loud loose vibrations. Any help will be appreciated and if you have any questions to help me out further I can answer. Thanks!!

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01-09-2012, 01:37 PM	#2
MikeYoungSS1 Drives: 2010 Black SS ADM Built Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: DFW Posts: 56	Really this is a personal preference and everyone will have opinions but i'd start by turning off built in equalizer settings, crossover frequency settings, bass boost etc. at the head unit. Next at the amp turn down your bass boost knob all the way if it's equipped with one, turn your crossover freq knob all the way to the right and your input sensitivity dial needs to be turned all the way down. Next put on a song you normally listen to and one that you know exactly how you want the bass notes to play at. At the head unit, turn the volume up as loud as you can take it. Slowly move the input sensitivity dial until the point that the bass sounds overwhelming to the other speakers and then back it down slowly till it sounds balanced. My input sensitivity dial is set about half way on my sub amp. Next you want to set the crossover frequency on the amp to a setting that eliminates high range music including vocals. I have my sub xovr freq. set at 60 hz because i just want to hear the kick drum and bass instruments without boominess being introduced. You also run the risk of localizing your sub if you set the freq at a range that includes other instruments. Once again this is based on your own ears though and the style of music you normally listen to. Do not move the bass boost knob on the amp until after you set your equalizer settings and loudness control etc. at the head unit. Drive around at all speeds to determine how much bass effect you lose and then start turning the bass boost knob until that point where it sounds right while driving.

01-09-2012, 02:27 PM	#3
UNDsioux Drives: 45th Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Grand Forks ND Posts: 427	Still can't get it to sound right