2 ways to set your car amp gain | Crutchfield

Looking for a sure-fire way to set your car amp gains once and never have to touch it again? We'll show you two ways to get your amp set perfectly for your system, so you can get the best sound out of your speakers and subs.

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Method #1 is the most precise. It uses your amp's RMS power rating and some light math (or hopefully, a number you can grab from a spec sheet) to determine the optimal voltage. Using a voltmeter, you connect the leads to your speaker outputs, turn your stereo up to 75% or so, then slowly turn up your amp's gain until it is at or very near the optimal voltage.

Method #2 is more subjective, since you do it by ear, but it requires no equipment. You again set your stereo's volume to around 75%, but then choose a song you know well and play it through your speakers. Slowly turn up the amp gain until you begin to hear the crackling of distortion, then back off just enough.

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0:00 The gain knob is not a volume knob
0:23 Method #1: Set the gain using a voltmeter
1:50 How to determine optimal voltage
2:25 Method #2: Set the gain by ear
3:09 Recap and how to get in touch