Car Stereos: setting my gain, bridged mode, spl meter

Question
Hello Justin,

I have a Pioneer GM-5400T amplifier hooked up to a TS-W308D2 sub-woofer, the amplifier's rms is 380Watts, and the woofer is at 400Watts.. I have installed them properly, but I want to be sure about setting the gain at proper value, what would be the ideal voltage output of this amplifier at these conditions?

The woofer is hooked up in bridged mode.

thanks.

Answer
Hi Bassem,

Generally, all I suggest doing is to set up your sound in the car how you would listen to it, and then adjust the amp with the music running until it sounds right for you.  Make sure there is no distortion at your preferred listening level, or you will shorten the life of your speakers (and it sounds bad).

If you want to get high-tech, get an SPL meter, and make sure the sub comes in at the same SPL level as the other speakers in the car; you won't get that bass thumping nonsense most people have in their cars, but some of us prefer it the way it was meant to be heard. ;)

As long as there is no distortion, your levels are just fine.

Justin