No you can't just arbitrarily set the gains to maximum. You can clip the signal and destroy your speakers.

Those four dials are gain, bass increase, and the high and low pass filter points. Suggest you read your instruction manual.

 

gain sets the volume compensation for the amplifier, adjust the gain on the amplifier to minimum, next turn the radio all the way up. then back at the amplifier, increase the gain until you hear distortion, then back the gain on the amplifier a little down, and you're all set.

High pass and low pass are limiters.
A high-pass allows all high frequencies to pass, but limits the amount of low pass frequency, High-pass filters are commonly used for tweeters.

Low pass does the opposite, it allows low frequency to pass while removing higher ones. Low pass filters are used on subwoofers.

for door speakers its best to add a very low set highpass filter, such as 30Hz to block some of the low bass that would overdrive your door speakers, increasing audio clarity.

"bass" is simply a crummy EQ built into the amp to give you that extra punch, but in a good setup should be tuned to 0. And to be honest, thats a bargain amplifier paired with high end speakers.

 

gain sets the volume compensation for the amplifier, adjust the gain on the amplifier to minimum, next turn the radio all the way up. then back at the amplifier, increase the gain until you hear distortion, then back the gain on the amplifier a little down, and you're all set.

High pass and low pass are limiters.
A high-pass allows all high frequencies to pass, but limits the amount of low pass frequency, High-pass filters are commonly used for tweeters.

Low pass does the opposite, it allows low frequency to pass while removing higher ones. Low pass filters are used on subwoofers.

for door speakers its best to add a very low set highpass filter, such as 30Hz to block some of the low bass that would overdrive your door speakers, increasing audio clarity.

"bass" is simply a crummy EQ built into the amp to give you that extra punch, but in a good setup should be tuned to 0. And to be honest, thats a bargain amplifier paired with high end speakers.

I'm glad you posted this, it answers some of the questions I've always had about amp installs. :thumbsup: