Why do I have low volume???

**PhatMo** · 03-30-2006, 12:47 PM

haha I think I was typing out my last reply when Red posted :P

**3onDubs** · 03-30-2006, 12:54 PM

Instead of setting your amp gain digitally to 4V.....try setting it to 1V or less than 1V if possible and report back.

**RedGTiVR6** · 03-30-2006, 01:06 PM

have you set your gains on your amps correctly?

**shotgunefx** · 03-30-2006, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by PhatMo

Thanks for all the input guys..

The SB X-Fi puts out 2V RMS and the wave volume controls are all up. Centrafuse, which is the front end that I am using, does have direct control of the master volume. Is this what you mean by having my front end "map" with the master controls? I am not able to set the gains on my amp (Alpine MRV-F345), all I can do is digitally specify the input voltage. I have it set at 2V and I have tried putting it at 4V to see if it makes a difference, but it doesn't.

I have this problem with any audio I play on the computer, including videos, MP3s, and Cds. I have to turn the master volume up half way just to hear the music when im driving. Then I have to go to 90% to get the volume to a normal listening level. I am running the amp to stock speakers in the car...do you think there is a problem there? I have a Lexus and I hear that Toyota/Lexus speakers dont mix well with aftermarket amps.

I'm not sure how much a line driver would really help me because I already put out 2V RMS from the sound card. Any other thoughts on this?

I can't find the thread that people stated line drivers do not make a difference in volume but I will keep looking. They probably had cards that already put out 1-2V.

I don't see how it couldn't make a difference. That's what they do, increase the signal (voltage)

I can tell you for my setup (stock infinity amp with no adjustments) works great.

BTW, it bumps mine up to about 4.2v

**PhatMo** · 03-30-2006, 02:37 PM

Hmmm maybe a line driver is something for me to look into then.

I will try putting my input voltage setting at 1V and I will tell you what happens when I get out of class (lecture got boring so I decided to check the forum). Maybe the amp will amplify the output more because it thinks the input voltage is lower. Good idea 3ondubs.

Red, I dont have any direct control over my amp gains. All I can do is specify the input voltage from the source. Its cool but it sucks at the same time.

Shotgunefx, are you saying that you noticed a difference in loudness and clarity with the line driver?? Are you using integrated or a card from your computer??

Keep the ideas coming guys!

**shotgunefx** · 03-30-2006, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by PhatMo

...Shotgunefx, are you saying that you noticed a difference in loudness and clarity with the line driver?? Are you using integrated or a card from your computer??

Keep the ideas coming guys!

I've used it with the lineout on my Sirius my headphone jack on my laptop (problems with the driver in linux enabling lineout

) and the headphone jacks on various portable mp3 players.

My amp doesn't have any adjustable gain. My HU put out around 5v so putting in 2v or under obviously made for low volume. Without the linedriver, I'd say on a scale of 1-10, I could get 2~3. With the linedriver 7-8. For my setup, it's a gaint improvment.

You're results may vary.

**PhatMo** · 03-30-2006, 04:20 PM

Well everyone that did it. I just turned the input voltage to 1V and the sound went up a lot! The problem is now my bass isn't loud enough because it is drowned out by the highs. I probably shouldn't turn the gains up on that amp any higher though, they are already half way. Maybe I will just get a line driver for the subs.

The one thing I realized is that my bass in Centrafuse 1.6 is lower than winamp and windows media player. The bass in 1.5 was very loud, but for some reason, 1.6 isn't. If I play a song in winamp I have plenty of bass. Anyone else realize this or is something else messed up on my end :P

**RedGTiVR6** · 03-30-2006, 04:29 PM

TUNE!

http://www.350z-tech.com/zwiki/Tutor...plifier_Tuning

otherwise, you're waisting your time.

**3onDubs** · 03-30-2006, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by PhatMo

Well everyone that did it. I just turned the input voltage to 1V and the sound went up a lot!

I knew that work for you...just make sure that there's no distortion or you've turned it up too high. You should do the same for the sub amp as the sub input voltage is also low.