<FONT face=Verdana><FONT size=2><SPAN class=mediumtext>Setting amp gains correctly is very important if damage to speakers is to be avoided. It is however a fairly simple process, easily achieved by following the procedure below:-<BR><BR>* Firstly, set Bass, Treble, Loudness and any other equalisation controls to flat.<BR><BR>* Set amp gains to minimum.<BR><BR>* Switch on system, and set main volume control to around 80-90% volume. Make a mental note that the volume level used during set-up is to be considered peak volume in normal use, with remaining 10-20% to be treated as 'overdrive', and only used for very short bursts of higher output.<BR><BR>* Next, play material through the system similar to that which will commonly be played during normal use. If the head unit is running speakers from it's own internal amplification, listen carefully for any audible distortion from these speakers and, if any is evident, reduce volume until distortion is eliminated - again, treating this volume level as peak volume for normal operation.<BR><BR>* Slowly increase gain level on amplifier(s) until distortion just becomes audible through speakers. Once this point is reached, reduce gain fractionally until distortion disappears.<BR><BR>* Wherever possible, use of additional equalisation should be avoided in amplified systems, as it can often significantly increase distortion within amp's input signal.<BR><BR>* The above procedure is widely used throughout the car audio industry, and will give reliable results in most systems. <BR><BR>Highly dynamic source material, or excessive use of bass, treble, and EQ controls can however significantly increase distortion levels even below the 80-90% volume level used above. In all cases, if distortion becomes audible, reduce volume immediately to avoid risk of damage to speakers and/or amplifiers. </SPAN><BR></FONT></FONT>