Tuning alpine ilx-f309 with component speakers and amp.

Was tired of JBL Premium in my 17DCOR and this is where I am at:

• Alpine ilx-f309 halo9
• Phoenix Gold 750w 5 chan amp https://phoenixgold.com/catalog/amplifiers/rx2-7505
• Focal Performance 165AS components (tweeters in door sail and woofer in door)https://www.crutchfield.com/p_091165AS/Focal-Performance-165AS.html?omnews=15546282
• Focal 2way for rear doors

I have the front focals connected to the passive crossovers that came with them to the amp, rear 2ways to the amp, and a pioneer sub replacing the jbl factory sub. I just got the head unit installed yesterday and things sound pretty basic/meh/poor right now. I understand that I need to do some tuning to get it to sound like i want it.

What is the best path from here? I am concerned that the gains/xovers/lpf/hpf/etc on the amp are in incorrect positions and before I go into depth trying to tune via the head unit, I want to get the amp/crossovers to where they should be. A DSP could be in my future if that is needed. Picture of the amp is below. I have mode set to F+R+S, the rest is kind of a clusterF.

I am happy to do some reading, just need someone to point me in the right direction. Here are my last questions:

Should i be using the passive crossover that came with the focals?
I have a Dayton Audio iMM-6 Calibrated Measurement Microphone, should i use that to set my amp properly?
If the iMM-6 is useful, how can i best use it to tune my system before fiddling with the EQ?
Any "tuning your system for dummies" sites out there?

 

Yes, you should be using the passive crossovers with your front speakers.

Honestly, you’re good turning all the crossovers on the amp off and using the ones in the radio. Set them to “full” and then head to the radio. My tuning is usually 80hz for the front, 100hz for the rears, 80 for the sub. You can tweak it from there but it’s a place to start.

Gains are one of those things that can be tricky. I have a SMD-DD1 that lets me set them very easy, but it’s also pretty easy if you have a digital multi meter. (Also, you just need one of those for life)

The microphone won’t do much without an RTA to hook it to.

 

This is good to hear, I was hoping it wouldn't be all that complicated. I got this rinky dink mic for 10$, can use for other things so its ok. Is it useless even when paired to an iphone app? I know it isn't ideal, but is it a complete waste of time?

Thank you so much for the starting points on the HU, that is exactly what i needed.

*edit* misypted about the mic and gain. Disregard, I understand about the gain now after reading more.

 

I don’t have any experience with that mic, but if it was $10, I wouldn’t expect it to be useful (in comparison, the AudioControl RTA mic for iPhone is $270)

Mics are not useful when setting gains though. Only EQ tuning.
Grab a multi-meter that does AC volts and that will be good enough. Even the cheap one from harbor freight will work

 

Thank you so much, hopefully someone else will find this useful some day.

 

Once you’ve got a DMM and some time, let me know and I can walk you through the process to set gains