i've had my set up since i purchased my car in 91. just recently, i've been noticing that the bass of my sub lowers itslef intermittently. it doesn't go away completely but i need to push the gain up for it to sound the way i like it. then after a couple of minutes, it goes loud again so i need to adjust the gain to lower the sub volume. i have an mtx amp with one of those remote controls to be able to control the volume of the sub. and have a jl 12 inch sub.

note: the bass doesn't go away completely, the volume of the sub just gets lower. so, i'm almost positive it's not a connection issue. could my amp be going bad? or do i need a cap cuz maybe the alternator can't keep up with the amount of power the amp requires? suggestions, comments, plz.

 

I'm assuming you are running a step down? Or is this off of a aftermarket headunit..?

 

What kind of head unit it do you have....you are probably having voltage fluctuation. Check the charging system...at worse, you could add a capacitor.

 

I had a problem with my step down, where it was causing the same problem.. I just added a different headunit so I never dug into the root cause of the problem..

 

i'm still using the stock headunit. but see, i've been having this problem only recently. i used to have a 12 inch mtx which blew so i replaced it with a 12 inch jl audio w3. and i think the issue began when i started using the w3. do you guys think the sub requires significantly more juice than the mtx sub therefore demanding more work from the amp? i may try a cap and see what happens.

 

It's very possible.. What amp are you running on the JL?

 

A 12W3 should get atleast 300 watts to it.

 

it's an MTX mono amp. i think the model 4250D. i think it pushes 200w rms.

 

Check your ground wire.

 

thats actually a pretty cool amp...i had it pushing 2 12" 6000's and it was bangin

 

Check your ground. Check your charging system, change your head unit if nessasary. Amp outpul fluxuation will be due to available voltage or signal. Voltage can be effected by charging/alternator and also the continuity of your ground....(your power is only as good as what your ground is able to take)