Distortion Detector DD-1

So I used this to set the gains of my Alpine 5 channel amp. This thing works great but what's great is that they give you a CD of test tones with varying levels of gain overlap. If you set gain to the optimum level equally across all your channels like most people do, then you will be generally happy with the sound after you further 'tune-in' your system in. I did that and then proceeded to adjust the levels and EQ on my HU (head unit). The problem is my component mid woofer fires into my lower leg, the tweeters are in the dash and the subwoofer is behind the rear seats. When you set all the gains the same, you inevitably ended up adjusting the subwoofer and equalization every time a new song comes on. So I experimented with the gain settings using a little more gain overlap with the mid woofer and even a bit more for the sub. The tweeters remain set to the initial (cleanest possible) gain setting. Guess what? HUGE IMPROVEMENT! I now run my HU's EQ completely flat. I no longer need to adjust the subwoofer bass knob for every song...I even have the sub boost on the amp at zero/flat…but most importantly, the mid woofer blends beautifully with the tweeter. On songs with very little bass content, I get a nice sub-bass ‘fill’…on songs with heavy bass, I get bodacious bass that’s never peaky or boomy. On everything else, it’s perfection. This was worth the cost of entry for me and this was my first car audio install. It’s more than just setting gains safely…it’s about exploiting the very best from your system.

I have installed a number of systems in my cars in the past and most of them have resulted in distortion or the system not sounding decent. After using this on my most recent install with a Kenwood excelon 901 amplifier, I have to say it is probably the best system I have ever heard or installed. With this tool I was able to tune my system perfectly. Without it it would have just resulted in another system that was sub par. I cannot emphasize enough that this is the tool for every audio installation in the car. If you're on the fence go ahead and get this thing because it produces amazing results.

I can't tell you how many times I've adjusted the gains on my 2 amps in the past 2 years. Just always second guessing what my ears are hearing, or not trusting the Digital Multi-Meter method. I wanted to finally set them right, be done with it, and move on to other aspects of the system. The DD-1 allowed me to do that. What I found to always be the issue was that I thought I had more room on my head unit's volume knob. It all starts at the signal. Since I thought I had that room, my amps were always off. The bad domino affected the rest of the system. Now I know exactly how far I can turn up the stereo, and where to set the max amp gains from there. No more guess work. The process is simple and quick. It may take you longer to access your amps, than it takes to set them. The directions are easy to follow and clearly laid out. Tons of videos out there to choose from to quickly learn how to use this tool correctly as well. Bottom line, my stereo sounds better than it ever has, and I fidget with the DSP settings frequently. Getting those gains right made the most impact in a post install tuning process. I could have gotten this months ago, instead of wasting all that time adjusting other settings. Getting gains right proved to be an important and crucial step. If that's not done right, the rest is going to be off. Now that I'm done with it, I can help my friends with their systems too. Sure I could sell it and try to recoup the cost, but it's something I'd like to keep around. I don't think I'm done with mobile audio just yet. I figure I'll need it again sometime. That leads me to the overall value of this product at it's price point. How much use you get out of it, is one of two main justifications of it's price. For an installer, this seems like a must have tool. Something that would be used time and time again. Definitely worth it without question. If you have a group of car stereo buddies that can maybe pitch in and get use, again, it's worth it without question. As a DIY'er that's just using it for one stereo, it's seems kind of steep. That's when justification 2 really shines. It does a good job at what it does, and a job that's crucial. How much is your peace of mind worth? It was worth it to me. No regrets. No more second guessing. Happy with the results. TIP: If you use multiple sources for your media, or a source other than CD, test with that media. If your stereo has a form of Source Level Adjust control, it's a bonus. For example I mostly listen to music via a USB flash drive connected to the head unit. So I obtained the test track files for the DD-1, and used the USB as the source. In addition of using the CD. Per the CD I could safely turn the volume up the 29. Switching sources, and adjusting the Source Level Adjust on my Pioneer HU, I could bump it up to +3 before distortion was detected. This way I know my limit is still 29, and yet I'm not holding back anything when using USB. Similarly do the same if you stream with BT as your main source. Do the CD first. Get your magic #. Then stream the tracks from your phone and make adjustments to your source level. For reference details, this was used on a Pioneer 6100 Nex head unit. 2 amps were also dialed in. A 4 channel (JL XD400/4) amp powering aftermarket front passive components, and rear co-ax's. As well as a mono sub amp (JL Slash 600/1) powering a 10" ported sub (JL 10w3).

I’ve been doing audio for 30 years, and I’m good at tuning by ear, but this is way more reliable for mids and highs, and is really necessary with multiple components that have gains. I’m running an LC5 pro loc and it made it way faster and easier to get everything tuned. I should’ve bought one years ago.

Great product and would recommend to any Audio Installer to save time and make money. Only thing I like to suggest is for such a great product it should include a 9V battery, your instruction say to use a good quality one so include you this would be awesome. I will order more SMD products (CC-1) soon

Great product. Easy to use, little expensive for the 5 minutes it takes to set gains but can’t complain when your spending $1000s on speakers.

Worked great with my cadence q5000 amp and pioneer 4 way 80 rms speakers. A bit expensive but fantastic technology that will last forever

I'm not a professional sterio installer, but I can now turn volume all the way up and there is only good sound coming out...I wish it had alligator clips to connect to speaker wires instead of output of amp which is sometime difficult to access FYI, there was a $72.09 custom/duty charge

This thing made my system so much louder and clear! Just be warned, i ordered it shipped to Surrey B.C and there was a $42 import charge on this unit i wasn't expecting.

Really simple operation. Makes setting your gains incredibly easy, highly recommended!