Kicker key tuning

I have been searching for some answers, found some, but i need more .

I installed the key this weekend using the metra adapters, and built my harness exactly how it is recommended. fires up, works great. Super simple to do and fits behind the headunit like a charm.

I did the auto tune, but i feel like i need to do some more adjustments. For example, how should my dip switches be? I read the instructions, so i know that i need to turn Bi-amp off, since im using the stock config. What else do i need to do? Also, how much should i turn up the gain controls? I did it per the manual, but seems WAAAY to much for the taco, and im getting the hissing, so i turned it down.
What do you all have yours set at?

Thanks! I do appreciated it!

 

All dip switches up. Gain can be nearly all the way down

 

so bi-amp is turned on correct?

 

Up is off

 

i see where i messed up now! Dustin, thank you for helping me out! now to get this thing dialed in.

 

i got it set up right now i think. only thing is that the bass is really boomy, like i’m in the bottom of a swimming pool. how do i adjust for that?

my ears also my be really sensitive too...

 

Bass setting on the head unit

 

just tried it, didn’t really do much.

i called kicker a short bit ago, the guy was saying the mic placement is pretty critical? do i really need to use the auto tune?

 

You don’t need to if you don’t want to. In my experience it makes a big difference, but if you like the sound better without it, then roll with it your ears are the most important ears in your truck

 

ya know, i bet if i had the mic placed facing up, that might help...whoops. I just noticed that today. ill do another auto tune tomorrow and report.

 

I had to set my gains all the way down because of the hiss. I've found that when I had Hertz k170 components (sensitivity is 92db) I barely touched the gains and when I went with Rockford Fosgate components (sensitivity 89db) I can turn the gains up a little more.

 

So did you ever figure this out op?

 

The problem with auto-tuning is that it can't think, and it doesn't know if you've stuck the microphone right on a standing wave or a point of cancellation. Then, it will do what it does regardless of whether that would be advisable, like making +/-12dB changes, or moving adjacent points in the opposite direction too far. You really are better off tuning by ear, using a multiplexer, or taking measurements from several microphone locations and using the data to tune (like the home theater Audyssey receivers do).

I can't say if this is the case specifically with the Key, but any auto-tune system I've ever listened to didn't sound right. I'd say keep trying until you get the result you are satisfied with. If you consistently have too much bass, turn the bass up a little and then auto-tune. Logically, it should either turn that down, or not turn it up as much.