Tuning HLCDs

[kend]

I just added a pair of Krypt 7.7's paired with a PPI 900.4 that I plan to bridge and split between the pair. Does anyone know the optimal settings and how to set the gain so I don't blow them? Should I put any type of stuffing in the speaker cans? Something I read had a square root calculation that figured to 26v each...just stick a volt meter on the amp? Never 'tuned' a setup before, but want to try.

[kend]

Bruh...too many options. I'm thinking I want to bypass the filters for horn speakers? Does anyone know where to set these?

[swatguy]

You'll want to set the switch to HPF( high pass filter) on both channels (front and rear) Then turn the HPF frequency dial to the 90-100 range if I recall correctly. if you listen to lot of bass heavy music you'll want to run towards the 100 side. If you don't more towards 90-85 side.

Here is a quick simple way to tune your system. Turn your level settings all the way down on the amps. Turn the volume on your stereo up to 3/4 of the max volume. Turn on the genere of music you listen to the most. Then slowly turn up the level dial on the amp til the music starts to distort. Once you hear a little distortion turn dial back down a hair. That's the quick "unofficial guide to stereo tuning.

[xrichard]

It's impossible to know the optimal setting for your gains because it is different for every set up. The biggest variable is input voltage at the amp.

As swatguy said, run the high pass filter. However, I find 90-100 to be very bright/tinny sounding. I'd set the crossovers lower at the expense of reduced max volume. I run my Rev10s at +/-70. If I were playing max volume for hours on end, I'd probably set it a little higher...but I'm not. You should check with Krypt to see what they think is a safe crossover level based on how you're using your speakers.

[kend]

Probably only be running them loud when someone is being towed; I ran the amp start power through a toggle last night so I can kill the amp -but started thinking the low radio power might still flow through the amp and under power them?
The speakers came with a crossover board that that sits in the can and divides out between the 7.7" and the horn; any idea how much protection that would offer if someone 'accidentally' set the radio to one of those preset bass boost EQ settings?
Thanks for the ideas, I a little nervous to turn these things on

[kend]

update; thanks swatguy/xrichard
Your ideas were spot on; I was using a multimeter measuring voltage which kept getting too high before the speakers got loud (enough). After turning on the HPF and dialing the cross over near the middle the voltage dropped a lot. I was then able to crank the gain level way up and even turn the head unit volume so it would max the sub and mids at the same time as the HLCDs got to their max voltage.

Is there some way to measure the frequency of the HPF or do you just guess based on where the dial is set? My amps dial is tiny and only marked at 20Hz and 400Hz

[xrichard]

Most amps are poorly marked re: HPF/LPF. How it sounds is the most important part--not the exact setting. For yours, figure 1/2 way is 190 and 1/4 is 95. I'd start at a about 1/4 the way between 20 and 400 and play with it from there. For HLCDs, you can expect them to be brighter than the boat speakers. The lower the HPF setting, the nicer they'll sound in the boat/near field but the less power will be available to push the mid and high frequencies to the rider. And, at some point, you might have the setting low enough that the speakers could get damaged at high volume--which is why you might want to check the with manufacturer to see what they recommend.

[Tallredrider]

I've used some test tones that you can download free from the internet. I use one that gradually increases from 20 to 200 HZ. It has a voice that chimes in what the frequency is as it increases. You can get in the definite ballpark that way. I thought it would be more precise, but it isn't. Then I just adjusted a little more by ear.