Replacing stock amp with XD400/4

[usranger80]

So I pulled the trigger and found a great deal on a new JL audio XD400/4 amp. I have ready through almost every thread I could find via search and read alot of conflicting info so I thought I would ask again.

Is the sound improved greatly after jsut replacing the factory amp? I already have a sub and sub amp installed, and after Dynamat I think the system sounds ok but could be better.

What is everyone using as the passover ranges for their factory speakers with an aftermarket amp? I know it is up for debate but am really just looking for a general range for these speakers to get the most out of the sound. I wouldnt have an issue replacing the front two but am not that keen on tearing the back deck out and replacing the rear speakers, so I would like to tune it properly.

I am not an audio expert and I am looking for advice from those who are doing exactly what I am doing with the same car. If you have an XD400/4 with stock BA speakers please chime in.

[usranger80]

and now after reading this...I am confused. To me it sounds like it is not jsut as simple as replacing the stock amp with the JL amp....

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195904

[Steve@Subthump]

You don't need to worry about all that. Hook it up and you'll be pleased. If you want to go one step further, and replace the stock speakers too, let me know, I can help you with that.

[Nutro]

Where did you find the amp and how much was it?

[Iwantone2]

You'll definitely be able to crank the volume up with the stock speakers. Here's a thread that shows my amp settings before I replaced all the stock speakers:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3121354

With the help of caverman, we came up with what we thought sounded good.

Although, now that I have aftermarket speakers, I have turned off all crossover settings to get the full range to the speakers.

[kiteman]

Originally Posted by Iwantone2

You'll definitely be able to crank the volume up with the stock speakers. Here's a thread that shows my amp settings before I replaced all the stock speakers:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3121354

With the help of caverman, we came up with what we thought sounded good.

Although, now that I have aftermarket speakers, I have turned off all crossover settings to get the full range to the speakers.

what i have noticed is that the stock rear speakers can't handle frequencies below about 65hz or so. they get rumbly/crackly at higher volumes (and can't even hit some of the really low notes), so you have to set a band pass filter for the rears to pick up only frequencies between 70hz-120hz. i have the fronts HP at 120hz. the only thing my system lacks is frequencies below 70hz.

oh, and i used a PPI amp, not the JL.

[Iwantone2]

Originally Posted by kiteman

what i have noticed is that the stock rear speakers can't handle frequencies below about 65hz or so. they get rumbly/crackly at higher volumes (and can't even hit some of the really low notes), so you have to set a band pass filter for the rears to pick up only frequencies between 70hz-120hz. i have the fronts HP at 120hz. the only thing my system lacks is frequencies below 70hz.

oh, and i used a PPI amp, not the JL.

This is good info for the OP. Yeah, I noticed that even when having the LPF set to 80hz, it would start to distort at WAY higher volumes.

[usranger80]

Originally Posted by Nutro

Where did you find the amp and how much was it?

240 on Ebay new. Cant remember the seller think it might have been infiniti-electronics. I will look later.

[usranger80]

Originally Posted by Iwantone2

You'll definitely be able to crank the volume up with the stock speakers. Here's a thread that shows my amp settings before I replaced all the stock speakers:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3121354

With the help of caverman, we came up with what we thought sounded good.

Although, now that I have aftermarket speakers, I have turned off all crossover settings to get the full range to the speakers.

Thanks, no idea why that didnt show up when I searched for threads with xd400 in them

[Iwantone2]

Originally Posted by usranger80

Thanks, no idea why that didnt show up when I searched for threads with xd400 in them

No problem! I've had my xd400 for a while now and I'm very happy with it.

Hope it works out for you and please keep us posted when you have it installed.

[usranger80]

Got the amp today and installed, however I forgot to order an extra set of RCAs so right now only the fronts and subwoofer are going, need to tweak with the gain and passovers tomorrow to get them right, and of course get another set of . Tnanks for the help with the setting hopefully I can get them right.

[Iwantone2]

No problem! Glad to hear you're almost up and running. Remember that the gains don't have to be set too high, a little gain goes a long way!

[usranger80]

So I set my gains today using my DMM and 50hz and 1khz test tones, set the volume to 25 (not quite 3/4 full, but it is the loudest I will EVER turn the knob) and based my ACV's off of that. Went to 28.2 based off of what it said it the JL manual for 4 ohms, and the Pioneer mono amp to 31.6, the sound is a ton better now for the stock speakers and the sub hits pretty solid. Gains are slightly higher than the links that were posted in here, but again it was set with the DMM so it is right at manufactures suggested setting.

I still need to play with the passover filters on both the fronts and rears...that is a little more difficult for me to figure out since my hearing is shot and I am tone deaf to certain pitches, but all in all it is a big improvement from stock. Thanks everyone

[pnyklr]

DMM?

-Funk