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Using amp too ‘big’ for a speaker |
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al_x 
Young Croc 
Joined: 12 February 2006 Status: Offline Points: 834 |
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 Topic: Using amp too ‘big’ for a speakerPosted: 04 September 2022 at 8:47pm |
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Is there a general rule to convert a reduction of gain, in dB to watts?
For example, a driver is 200w rms, the amp is 1500w rms. With the amp gain knob set to 0dB, how much reduction in gain on the output of the dsp should be set to achieve a rough output of 1.5x (300w) the rms of the driver? I hope this makes sense.
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Conanski
Old Croc 
Joined: 26 January 2006 Location: Ottawa, Canada Status: Offline Points: 2537 |
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Posted: 05 September 2022 at 12:15am |
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The answer is 7dB below whatever signal level drives the amp to full output. The math formula is DB = 10 log (P2/P1) or 10 log (300/1500) in this case.
A couple quick reference points... A 3dB change equals a doubling/halfing of power, so for example -3dB from 1500w = 750w. A 10dB change equals a 10 fold change in power, so -10dB from 1500w = 150w. So with that you know the answer is between -3dB and -10dB but closer to -10dB
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Earplug
Old Croc
Joined: 03 January 2012 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 7216 |
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Posted: 05 September 2022 at 7:06am |
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Also, note that if the gain control on the amp is logarithmic and marked from 1 - 10 (which is the norm) dropping from 10 to 8 will do it as well - as long as you limit the input to the amp to it's nominal level for maximum output, i.e. don't overdrive it to compensate!
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Earplugs Are For Wimps!
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toastyghost
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Joined: 09 January 2007 Location: Manchester Status: Offline Points: 10919 |
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Posted: 07 September 2022 at 3:41am |
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Be aware that you’ll still be able to push the full output of the amplifier to the driver if you just turn the pot on the front down. It will just take more voltage at the amplifier input terminal to achieve it because all the pot does is adjust the input sensitivity.
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VECTORDJ
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Joined: 11 June 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 515 |
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Posted: 08 September 2022 at 10:08pm |
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VECTORSONICS for Recones in Auburn, Maine USA........
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