Are there any general rules to avoid clippling? I know it's hard to say because every system is different. But what are some general guidelines one can use when adjusting the system.

Thanks

 

The way I do it is: Turn the volume on the headunit to approximately 80% of full volume on the display and then adjust the gains and sensitivities until the audio system is pretty much cranked.

 

In other words, is clipping more so a function of volume?

Meaing, if I keep the volume low at 25% or less, then it's safe to say I avoid clipping no matter how I set the EQ, gains, etc?

 

Yes..."clipping" is a function of volume and how well the components (head unit, EQ, amps, etc.) in your system are matched.

You can tune your system to your liking (i.e. max volume w/o distortion at 25% of your head unit's volume control or at 80%) by adjusting your amp's gain controls accordingly. Most experts will tell you to use the 80% reference. By using 25%, you'd have to turn the amp gains up fairly high thus resulting in more hiss and other noise. Also, the amp will clip sooner than if you had the gains lower.

In the end, you want to have your amp gains as low as possible so that what is being amplified is more signal than noise. Your amp will run cooler too.