bigdadi

Subaru sunroof mechanism is flimsy so quite easy to have problems ... one of reason I bought Subaru Gold Plus extended warranty 7yr/100k/ded$100 at $1,200 ... I heard that it costs like $1,200 for the sunroof repair.

JL site re how to 'set your gain' (pdf file - download) http://mobile.jlaudio.com/pdfs/gainSetting.pdf Download Test Tones http://www.ronelmm.com/tones/ http://www.eminent-tech.com/music/multimediatest.html More on Clipping http://www.bcae1.com/2ltlpwr.htm What I found in SoundSolution site ... Most audio equipment dies for one simple reason. Most people push their equipment beyond its limits. Whether it is the amplifier, subwoofer or full range speakers, clipping is the number one cause of failure. To prevent clipping, use this tutorial. To figure out what voltage you should set the gains to, multiply the RMS power of the amplifiers output by the impedance of the speaker, then find the square root of that number. If you are using an amplifier that has an RMS rating of more than your speaker(s) can handle/rated for, then use the RMS rating of the speaker (instead of the RMS of the amplifier) to determine the voltage to set your amp to. This is also referred to as gaining down. Gain Setting Equation Voltage of the output = sqrt(RMS Power X impedance of the speaker) Example Say the amp provides 100WRMS into a 4 ohm speaker: Voltage = sqrt(100W X 4 ohms) Voltage = sqrt(400W*ohms) Voltage = 20V Again, that was only an example, use the ratings of your amp to figure that out. Setting the Gain(s) To set the gain(s), you need two things: 1. A DMM (digital multi-meter) that is capable of measuring AC voltage (needs to be able to measure up to a range of 200V). 2. A test tone CD to use to set the gains at the correct setting. Now, to set the gain(s): 1. Start the vehicle, and pop the test tone CD in the head unit. 2. DO NOT hook up the sub(s) or speaker(s) to the amplifier while doing this, just leave the outputs unused at this time. 3. Now, time to set up the head unit. a. If the loudest you listen to your music at on a regular basis is 22/35 with bass @ +3 and treble @ 0 with MX (or any other sound processor) on, use those settings. NEVER turn the headunit above 3/4 of the maximum volume. b. Remember to have the car turned on. c. If you want to use bass boost on a sub amp, set it prior to setting the gains on the amp and use the center frequency of the bass boost (45 Hz for most amps) as your test tone. d. Please remember that if you have a subwoofer volume control on the headunit and/or a bass knob for the amplifier, set it to the maximum before you set the gains on the sub amp. 4. Take the leads from the DMM and but them on the outputs from the amp. 5. Set the gain so that the outputs of the amplifier equal the voltage you found above. This is a MUST. **************************************** I think this is an easier / more generic way to adjust your sub ... If you just bought it, you'll want to break it in. From what I've been told, the gain is usually set around 2/3. Play at medium volume for 20-40 hours till they're broken in (usually takes a week or two). Then you turn your stereo up till its as loud as you'll play it and turn the gain up til you hear some sort of distortion of the sub then turn it down till it's back in control then turn it down a little more to be safe. That should ensure you keep your sub in good working order. Someone correct me on this if I'm wrong. **************************************** More on HOW TO SET GAIN http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp~TID~85479~PN~1 **************************************** How to Set Your Amplifier's Gain Correctly (sounddomain.com) http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/65167/page/1/fpart/2 **************************************** Youtube - Car Audio Amp Tuning [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doWVsaU0ydI]YouTube- Car Audio Amplifier Tunning : RMS Test and Gain setting for Sub Woofer with DMM[/ame] **************************************** Youtube - Adjust Your Gain Properly [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG-KU_LYypM]YouTube- How to adjust your gain propperly[/ame]

If you use the HID on Fog as above suggested link, use the 35 Watt lumens for the fog as its housing cannot stand too much heat.

The important thing to have success on the 20 clicks method in the first try is "WAIT FOR THE FIRST SEATBELL BEEPS", then start the 20 clicks process. It has to be real click process in seatbell - not just keep pressing the seatbelt button and push in and pull out the buckle 20 times.

If you have no luck to find your parts ... try http://car-part.com/ Best place to find used / recycled parts.