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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
February 2004
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Why does my sub clip ?
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Tue, 13 July 2004 07:35
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Hey guys just installed my system with a brand new clarion head unit, 4x100 response amp and a 12inch mtx thunder. It sounds good but when i turn the bass up the sub starts clipping. The sub isnt blown i tested it on a mates system. The box is sealed and is bridged.
Someone gave me a theory that i needed to put some damping stuff in the box to rid it of air but im not sure ?
any ideas ?
thanks
justin
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
June 2003
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
February 2004
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Tue, 13 July 2004 07:50
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what configuaration have u got it in? the 4x amp running two subs (i.e 4 channels bridged into 2) or are you running it straight off a 100w channel? or are you running it with one bridged side, and one stereo side? i.e using it as a 3 channel?
Its the way you have got it setup thats causing your problem.
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Tue, 13 July 2004 07:51
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is it a clicking or a loud cracking, or a hollow boonk sound?
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
February 2004
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Tue, 13 July 2004 07:56
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well work it out. 100wRMS x 2 in stereo = approx 300wRMS bridged.
How many watts RMS is the sub? I bet it is not 300. hence when you drive the shit out of it, it wont like it very much!
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
February 2004
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Tue, 13 July 2004 07:59
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yeah ill try unbridging it and see what it does
thanks for your help
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
February 2004
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Tue, 13 July 2004 08:25
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hmm i tried unbridging it and it does the same thing
as soon as the sub volume or bass is turned up from zero it starts makign that clip noise, like distortion
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Tue, 13 July 2004 08:41
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no red lights flashing on the amp or anything?
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Australia
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Tue, 13 July 2004 08:41
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What size wires power the amp?
What size wires connect the sub to the amp?
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
February 2004
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Tue, 13 July 2004 08:42
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nope
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Tue, 13 July 2004 08:45
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if you have started to wear out the speaker itd do this.
borrow a mates speaker - any size with reasonable power handling. And see if it does it.
you have checked its wired in phase? I.e sure + is to +, - is to -??
Hows the bass and gain controls on your head unit and amp? on the amp, turn down the input seisitivity and the gain controls, and turn the bass down to flat on the head unit.
See if that last suggestion works.
Blake
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
February 2004
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Tue, 13 July 2004 08:48
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it runs fine with all the gains down and bass down
but when i turn them up it starts to stuff up. I want more bass
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Tue, 13 July 2004 08:54
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get more subs then
By turning up the gains, its whats causing the clipping. end of story.
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Location:
sunny coast, qld
Registered:
October 2002
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Tue, 13 July 2004 09:45
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| V8_MA61 wrote on Tue, 13 July 2004 18:54 |
By turning up the gains, its whats causing the clipping. end of story.
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that is correct!
Or if you want more BOOM factor consider getting a ported box, you will lose a bit of punch but it will seem louder.
what model MTX sub is it?
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Tue, 13 July 2004 09:52
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hang on, if you need to turn up your gains to make it loud..then you need a new amp! So getting a new bigger speaker will make things worse.
Are you SURE that speaker is designed for use in a sealed box? because having a speaker designed for ported boxes will sound like utter shit in a sealed box, and will be VERY inefficient
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Location:
Geelong.Vic.AU
Registered:
September 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Tue, 13 July 2004 11:31
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The amp you have is very powerfull, I have heard it driving a sub that is capable of handleing 300wrms, very good.
My bet is that your sub is overpowered. Try a better sub if you can get hold of one.
Cheers
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Tue, 13 July 2004 11:41
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theres on such thing as an overpowered speaker.
Efficiency is the key, and if hes expecting too much from the speaker, it will make that overdriving sound.
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Location:
sunny coast, qld
Registered:
October 2002
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Tue, 13 July 2004 15:18
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most MTX subs that I have heard have been better in ported boxes IMO.
But I like ported better 
so which sub is it?
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Australia
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Tue, 13 July 2004 22:50
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| CrUZsida wrote on Tue, 13 July 2004 16:41 |
What size wires power the amp?
What size wires connect the sub to the amp?
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2004
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Wed, 14 July 2004 00:11
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if you have a high powered woofer being powered by a weak amplifier you can get clipping. Which is where the peaks of the AC current are clipped and basically converted to DC. You need the "wave" motion of ac to be able to push and pull the speaker in and out. If the tips are being cut and made flat (like DC) this heats up the speaker coils very quickly and can destroy the speaker. Turning up the bass frequency will only make it worse and may explain why when you turn it down it goes away. You either need a more powerful amp or less powerful subwoofer.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Wed, 14 July 2004 00:12
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Get a Mk2 Supra or an RA60 Celica. The hatch makes every single little bit of bass sound massif 
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Australia
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Wed, 14 July 2004 00:37
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| Benjamin wrote on Wed, 14 July 2004 08:11 |
You either need a more powerful amp or less powerful subwoofer.
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We have already established that the amp he is using has got more than enough power for the sub.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
February 2004
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Australia
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Wed, 14 July 2004 01:20
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No need for padding, and make sure the box is perfectly sealed.
Any leaks can cause wierd sounds.
Wire is fine.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
February 2004
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Wed, 14 July 2004 01:21
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wat should i use to seal around the sub itself ?
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Australia
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Wed, 14 July 2004 01:26
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Make sure the surface you screw it on to is flat
Put some of that sealing tape around the back surface of the sub (the sticky back foam)
Make sure you use all screw holes, and big screws.
Make it tight.
If you really want you can silicon it in with no more gaps, but then its a bitch to get out.
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Location:
Geelong.Vic.AU
Registered:
September 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Wed, 14 July 2004 05:16
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According to the specs of the sub you have it is capable of 200wrms, and you are giving it 330wrms, that might be the cause of the problem, but in my experience with subs, most run fine when they have more power than whats specified.
You siad it does it evan on 100wrms, have you tried anohter sub on the amp, sounds like the sub is damaged. Turn off the system and softly press on the center of the woofer, moving it down a little, if you hear scraching noises the voice coil is toast.
Also have you got the rca's and the power running together? you should really try and move them as far apart as possible.
[Updated on: Wed, 14 July 2004 05:23]
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Australia
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Wed, 14 July 2004 05:49
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| doobs wrote on Wed, 14 July 2004 13:16 |
According to the specs of the sub you have it is capable of 200wrms, and you are giving it 330wrms, that might be the cause of the problem, but in my experience with subs, most run fine when they have more power than whats specified.
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Yeah, but thats 330WRMS at full potential.
He won't be using full gains, well, he better not be anyway.
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Wed, 14 July 2004 08:06
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its 'capable" of being put in a sealed box? I.e its meant to be in a ported box.
Padding wont make a pinch of shit of difference in the box itself, but its a good thing for sound deadoning.
A rule of thumb:
Have an amplifier that ha smore power than the speaker can handle, therfore you will never clip the amplifier.
i think you just expect too much from that speaker.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Australia
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Wed, 14 July 2004 08:27
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Yes the sub is capable of being in a ported box.
And I think you may be expecting to much as well, but the MTX4000 is capable of a fair amount of bass.
Are your RCA leads good?
Not REAL cheap ones, althought cheap ones still work fine in 90% of applications.
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Wed, 14 July 2004 08:29
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but the sound he is experiencing is over-driving, its got nothing to do with signal to the amplifier tho 
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Location:
Melb, Victoria
Registered:
April 2004
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Wed, 14 July 2004 08:39
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8 guage imo is too small, go 4 gauge, or at least 6 guage. your amp is capable of running more power into sub than it can handle, so keep ur gain level low. turn all equalisers and bass boosts off, (loud function on h/unit aswell) and tune it from scratch. a ported box should also make your bass louder if ur still not happy after doing all that.
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Location:
VIC, Sth Frankston.
Registered:
July 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Wed, 14 July 2004 09:27
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| Quote: |
What size wires connect the sub to the amp?
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I love this sort of question. Take a quick look at the wires that go between the terminals on the speaker and down toward the voice coil.
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2004
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Wed, 14 July 2004 12:24
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my oppinion...get a pioneer tsw-305c sub, ive got one n its pretty good for bass (400wrms) im pumpin bout 150rms into it n it goes pretty hard...need a bigger amp though..
IVE GOT AN IDEA! ill swap amp with you, that way we both win! please, serious tone used.
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Location:
Potts Point, Sydney
Registered:
October 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Wed, 14 July 2004 13:21
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| V8_MA61 wrote on Wed, 14 July 2004 18:29 |
but the sound he is experiencing is over-driving, its got nothing to do with signal to the amplifier tho
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I'd agree my mates sound system was doing the same thing when i turned it up with high bass, get a better amp, that should solve the problem
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
January 2004
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Thu, 15 July 2004 04:56
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| CrUZsida wrote on Wed, 14 July 2004 10:37 |
| Benjamin wrote on Wed, 14 July 2004 08:11 |
You either need a more powerful amp or less powerful subwoofer.
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We have already established that the amp he is using has got more than enough power for the sub.
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The problem is JayCar (ie response) suck ass and may say that the amp is 4X100RMS but in reality is a fair bit less! (maybe 4x100w peak)
I actually had the JayCar catalogue in my posession and the specifications didn't even match up with what was written all over the amp in the accompanying pictures.
So get a better amp.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Australia
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Thu, 15 July 2004 05:10
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if you read some reviews of that amp, you'll find out it puts out its rated power, if not more.
But thats beside the case. Even if it was 50x4 WRMS, that is still enough to make an MTX4000 hammer.
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Thu, 15 July 2004 07:54
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you are missing the point dimmy, the amplifier he has is more than likely "too" powerful for that speaker, and when he drives the shit out of the speaker, its causing it to over-drive. Try a more powerful sub, or a different sub for that matter.
Gains, Loudness and bass controls all contribute more to the signal the amp is putting out!
Blake
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Toymods Social Secretary
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Thu, 15 July 2004 08:09
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solution to clipping = buy bigger amp
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Australia
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Thu, 15 July 2004 08:18
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| THE WITZL wrote on Thu, 15 July 2004 16:09 |
solution to clipping = buy bigger amp
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Karl, did you even read the whole thread?
We have established that the amp puts out waay more power than the sub requires, so that is not the problem.
Unless he isnt getting clipping but something else.
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Toymods Social Secretary
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Thu, 15 July 2004 13:43
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reading the whole thread is total effort, and im a lazy lazy man.
Clipping = give raw DC output to your driver, usually from underpowered amps being driven too hard.
If its an overpowered amp - turn the bastard down!
In this case it would be hyperextension, or smoething like that
Teh witzl rests.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
February 2004
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Fri, 16 July 2004 02:37
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well ive tested my sub in a mates car and it was fine.
I played with the sens knob on the amp and it sort of changed things. The sub became louder and i could turn the gains up a little before it became clippy again. So that rules out the sub.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Fri, 16 July 2004 04:10
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Dude, guarantee your amp is just working your sub harder than in your mates car. A lot of factors can affect how loud it may sound, my sub makes more bass in my car at lower volume than it does in my mates car cos of the shape.
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Registered:
January 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Fri, 16 July 2004 14:58
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dude if its wat i think it is it is because when the sub pumps it pushes air away from the sub towards the back wall of the box cuasing reverberation. to fix this you just need to get some undulating/corrugated material. egg cartons will do fine if u dont have anything else and fix this material to the inner back wall of ur sub box then try it again..this will stop the air moved by the sub from hittin the back wall of the box and flyin back and hittin the back of the cone.. causin the funny noise..
i suggest you try this before u go out and by new geear becoz i had the exact same prob with a sub when i had it in a sealed box.. the air just bounces around inside..
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: Why does my sub clip ?
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Fri, 16 July 2004 15:01
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man get over it. It is 110% evident that your amp is too big for your speaker. either get a new speaker, or dont expect so much from this one.
Ps i have a 15" 1400wRMS speaker for sale 
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
February 2004
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