Amp volume control in dash

[Dan]

I was wondering, is there any way in making a volume control thats worth doint to my amps. I know im better off having the head unit on full and just changing the volume on the amp, but dont want to keep going to the boot each time. Is there and easy way of doing it, such as a dimmer switch betweent the power cable. (example only! lol)

 

[Citizen Smith]

You can get a volume type switch which goes between the head unit and RCA cables for your amp- couldn't find online but know you can get from a decent halfords/ripspeed center.

 

[Cinq_Sport_BiG_DaVE]

dont go to halfrauds

well

u can just to find out what they are called (code nos etc) but then look on tinternet 4 1

halfords is well expensive

 

[gaz.d]

i got a vibe one, i got it from a mate, who had it from halfords , i swapped him for an alpine one i had that was amp specific

have a look on the audio websites, they bound to be on there

 

[wimmy]

If your amp is set up correctly you shouldnt need one. Your amp 'gain' should be in proportion to your head unit. Therefore when increasing volume on your head unit will increase the volume in proportion on your amp (inxc bass treble etc)

Just spend a little extra time correcting the levels on your amp and everything should work fine. Once set up correctly there should no longer be any need to mess with the amps settings. (thats why some require a scredriver to change them so they arent accidentaly knocked)

 

[gaz.d]

i use mine so i can get rid of bass altogether if my head starts to hurt, i suppose a switch would do that job too

 

[wimmy]

i use mine so i can get rid of bass altogether if my head starts to hurt, i suppose a switch would do that job too

Lol, once again, If set up correctly you should just be able to turn the bass down on your head unit!

 

[gaz.d]

Lol, once again, If set up correctly you should just be able to turn the bass down on your head unit!

i never knew that

another thing on my list to do, but my little knob looks pretty ooo...eeer

so would 1 preout be for sub and the other for everything else then??

 

[Dan]

Yeah but surely the quality from the head unit on full and map on low is going to be alot better than t'other way round. Home stereos definately do, but wouldnt have thought that cars stereos work different!

 

[Dan]

What i mean is. If you turn the car stereo up full and then turn the amp up slowly, it will go a lot louder before it gets distorted than t'other way round!

 

[wimmy]

Incorrect. Distortion is caused by your speakers unable to take the power. So which ever way you do it the sound will probably distort at the same point. You will prob find that the best quality sound is found about half way on your head unit.

A lot will also depend on your bass/treble settings too.

Gaz, as for the sub out - not neccesarily. All depends on your head unit.

If you have 3 sets of preouts 1 will be for sub, and other 2 for front and rear. You should be able to turn the sub down in this case

If you have 2 sets (front/rear) bass and treble will go to all four. Turning the bass down will turn the bass down on all speakers.

Give us a shout when you're next in the area and I'll have a tinkle on your knobs

 

[wimmy]

What i mean is. If you turn the car stereo up full and then turn the amp up slowly, it will go a lot louder before it gets distorted than t'other way round!

It will just get louder quicker as the amp amplifies the sound going to it believe it or not, lol. It WONT go any louder that way.

Gain on an amp should never be on full anyway. Always best set on half way to three quarters

 

[gaz.d]

cheers wimmy, just need car back now to take you up on your offer

i got 2 pre-outs, 1 controling sub (rear) and the other 1 controling the 2 sets of comps (front)

 

[Dan]

I believe you, but i'm 100% sure that it works that way with a home cinema!

Another q. Should you keep the cable lengths the same between front speakers...like you should with a home cinema?

 

[wimmy]

I believe you, but i'm 100% sure that it works that way with a home cinema!

Another q. Should you keep the cable lengths the same between front speakers...like you should with a home cinema?

You lost me now. Would they be the same anyway unless you have the left and right speakers in different areas of the car?

 

[Dan]

or you run them from the amp on one side of the car!