Well I read through all of the articles and searched through a bunch of thread on how to set my gain.

I have some diamond audio d361 speaker

Type: Component
Size: 6 in.inch Mid 1 in.inch Tweet
Power Handling NOM/MAX: 60/120 watts
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 91 dB SPL
Freq. Response: 54-20
Mounting Depth/Diameter: 2.5 in. / 5.4 in.

and a diamond audio D3400.2 amp

Type: Full Range
Channels: 2
RMS @ 4 Ohm: 100 x 2
RMS Mono: 400 x 1 @ 4 Ohm
THD: 0.05%
Crossovers: Low Pass, High Pass

I used a volt meter to measure the output to each speaker and I set the gain so that 20 volts was the output. Is 20 volts the correct amount? Well the problem I'm having is when I turn the volume up a little pass have way, I get some really weird noises. Like cracking and thumping noises.. Am I give the speakers to much power or is it another problem? I've also checked all of my grounding.
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I have never heard of anyone tuning an amp with a voltmeter...

The "really weird noises" you're hearing is clipping. Not good.

The general old-school way of tuning is to set the volume on the deck at normal (or above normal) volume, then adjust the gain until you hear distortion, then back it off a little until said distortion ceases.

 

well, used this article to set my gains

http://forums.caraudio.com/vb/...63933

 

I'm not going to read the entire thread, but the first post boils down to what I said.

However. If that formula that is discussed is giving you a result that is causing distortion, you don't really need a thread on Honda-Tech to tell you to turn the gain down, do you?

I mean, it could be something else, (like you're overdriving the input on the amp with too much signal from the deck) but it's probably just that the gain is set to high... :shrugs: