C.L.E.A.N. set-up procedure to adjust amplifier gains

Modified on Thu, 28 Nov, 2024 at 12:08 PM

Using the built-in C.L.E.A.N. set-up circuit to properly set amplifier gains.

Included Level Setup Disc

Rockford Fosgate's new integrated level setting technology called CLEAN (Clipping Calibrated Level Eliminates Audible Noise) is a simple LED indicator system designed to help eliminate speaker damage.

An input LED indicator helps match your source unit to the amplifier by identifying signal clipping from the audio source, while another LED monitors the output level to detect clipping sent to speakers. Using CLEAN, you can precisely set-up your input and output levels to eliminate clipping, which can ultimately cause speaker damage and/or failure.

INPUT CLIP SETUP

Optional PLC2

clean signal	clipped signal

STEP 1. Disconnect all speakers from the amplifier.

STEP 2. Turn on the source unit and set volume to zero.

STEP 3. Adjust Bass & Treble levels on the source unit to flat.

STEP 4. Insert test tone or music CD to play for setup. NOTE: Use 40 Hz @ 0 dB (Track 5) for subwoofer amplifiers or a 1 kHz @ 0 dB (Track 7) for full-range amplifiers. Be sure x-over is set to appropriate setting.

Input Clip LED

clean signal		clipped signal

STEP 5. Increase source unit volume until Input Clip Indicator illuminates red. NOTE: Input Clip can be viewed remotely with optional PLC2.

STEP 6. Decrease source unit volume slightly until LED turns off. This establishes your maximum source unit volume for adjusting the Output Clip Indicator. NOTE: Some source units will not clip.

OUTPUT CLIP SETUP

0% THD	1% THD	5% THD


No LED	Blue LED	Red/Blue LED

Oscilloscope photos illustrate output clip feature configured to a clean signal (0% THD), at the threshold of clipping (1% THD), and at full clipping 5% THD) using 1 kHz @ 0 dB.

STEP 7. Be sure to disconnect PLC2 Punch Level Control (if equipped) from amplifier.

STEP 8. Adjust Input Level knob until Output Clip LED illuminates to appropriate color. Repeat for all channel levels of input.

STEP 9. Turn the source unit volume down.

STEP 10. Reconnect all speakers and PLC2 Punch Level Control (if equipped) to amplifier. Be sure to maintain proper speaker polarity.

DOWNLOADS

Tracks found on the above CD are used to properly set gain overlap are available for download below. When downloading/importing tracks, be sure to use the highest quality encoding possible. You can play these tracks directly from a laptop or mobile device if your source unit has an Auxiliary (AUX) Input. If you are burning a CD-ROM, be sure to burn the disc at the highest quality available.

Track	Name	File Description	Amp THD
06.	4 kHz @ 0 dB	4 kHz with 0 dB gain overlap for use with tweeters	*0%
07.	1 kHz @ 0 dB	1 kHz with 0 dB gain overlap for use with midrange	*0%
08.	40 Hz @ 0 dB	40 Hz with 0 dB gain overlap for use with woofers	*0%
09.	4 kHz @ -5 dB	4 kHz with 5 dB gain overlap for use with tweeters	20%
10.	1 kHz @ -5 dB	1 kHz with 5 dB gain overlap for use with midrange	20%
11.	40 Hz @ -5 dB	40 Hz with 5 dB gain overlap for use with woofers	20%
12.	4 kHz @ -10 dB	4 kHz with 10 dB gain overlap for use with tweeters	32%
13.	1 kHz @ -10 dB	1 kHz with 10 dB gain overlap for use with midrange	32%
14.	40 Hz @ -10 dB	40 Hz with 10 dB gain overlap for use with woofers	32%
15.	4 kHz @ -15 dB	4 kHz with 15 dB gain overlap for use with tweeters	39%
16.	1 kHz @ -15 dB	1 kHz with 15 dB gain overlap for use with midrange	39%
17.	40 Hz @ -15 dB	40 Hz with 15 dB gain overlap for use with woofers	39%
*At 0dB there is no clipping distortion and therefore THD will fallback on the amplifeir's rated THD specification.

File Description	Download
Set of 12 Gain Overlap Tracks Above (*.m4a)
Set of 12 Gain Overlap Tracks Above (*.mp3)
Set of 12 Gain Overlap Tracks Above (*.wav)
Download Entire Setup Disc (*.wav)
Gain Setting Checklist (pdf)