Ultimate bass knob showdown!!! PAC-LC1 vs DS18 vs Slam Panda level control review
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ส.ค. 2024
- In this video I will be comparing several bass knobs/ level control units that I have recently used. They are:
1) PAC-LC1
2) DS18 BKVR
3) Slam Panda custom level control knob
Each has their pros and cons, and all serve their purpose. However, I do favor 1 over the other 2. Watch video to find out my favorite!
Please make sure to like this video and subscribe to my channel. Also, don't forget to turn on those notifications! - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
The PAC has been very good to me and NEVER gave me issues 👍
I see that you're answering every one's questions. I just want to say a big thank you for that. Man I always want to be able to to ask a pro for tips of the trade.
I try to do my best. Thanks
Damn dude, I paid $40 Aud for LC1 supporting local shop, just looked online and I can get for $15aud free shipping everywhere. Its all good to support local but damn dude I spent 2 hours driving to shop and back when I could have gotten it for 1/3 of price and sat at home with the extra bonus of having the excitement of a package arriving!
I feel ya there lol.
Greg l dang... yep. Online prices are hard to beat
10$ bucks bro you still got robbed at 15$ pac lc-1 are crap but useful for beginners I almost blew my amp and I did blow 3 18s dc audio xlm2s because of the pac pic-1s.... peice of shit spl cartel too crap equipment I’d stick with slam
It’s funny when I first started I went to my local shop too to be supportive yeah they take advantage of the customer never again I paid 40$ for my first pack-1 too and 40$ for my first stinger volt meter never again that’s bullshit
Same I’m shopping online rather than shops
Just added a DSP to my system left my eq in because I like the quick up and down volume I want to take it out so I looked into knobs and this video couldn’t been a more perfect explanation
Just made a demo bass knob from the PAC lc1 to a Jordan jump man logo bass knob.its dope af
That’s cool
Just gotten the LC1 off Amazon for $11 so far so good
Solid unit!
Based on the video, the $10 one is the one worth buying. I want a bass knob, not a voltage meter nor a shut off for my amps.
AdrenalineHigh absolutely, if you did not want or need a voltage meter. They tried and tested PAC LC1 can’t be beat
Is the PAC-LC1 isolates the base from the audio? So of full Gain you only hear the base on the PAC-LC1 out to you amp?.. I want to use this to isolate the base to be connected to a mini amp for some bass shakers under the seat.
Hello. That DS18 accurate on the reading? I know you can calibrate it but I’m wondering if it’s spot on accurate right when you install it. Thank you.
For me it was pretty dang close. like 0.1 or 0.2 off from a multi-meter reading off the battery. it was so close i did not even bother adjusting it lol.
The DS 18 looks nice. Do you know if it will work on an NVX line out converter going to a Taramps smart 3K amp?
Absolutely, it is universal so it will work no problem
I know this video is a bit older now but do you still use the DS18 knob?
I might want to get something similar just without the voltage meter since I already have one. I was wondering what the ratings on the pot meter would be so I can just order a pot and make a knob myself that I'll integrate into an unused accessory slot
I am still using the DS18 and has been working great! if you are going to do a custom job/ fabrication... i would use the PAC LC1 pot. very reliable true and tested and cant beat it for price as you can find units new for under $10
I use a slam panda and love it but it's bright AF
I was just looking at the panda last night.
Wilfredo Jimenez is a good knob, just not right for my application for the time being.
How do you use a bass knob to control your super tweeters,or even your mids? You said you have one controlling your supertweeters in one of your videos, and it would be cool to control my super tweeters so I can bring the volume down if it's too high,maybe even one for my mids, amplifiers that I will be running on for my super tweeters and my amps all come with bass knobs and the amps are full range as well.(ds18 gfx3k2)
Just run it inline with your RCA’s going to your amp for your tweeters, just like you would for your sub amp. Done. Great feature to have
You need to make a video on that a pac-1 won’t work good if you’re running more that 5k rms & why or some people will get mad because they won’t get the results that you’re talking about in the video. You’ll need a LC-2. Great video. I just make my own custom LC-2….
Odd. Ive seen a billion people, including myself using a pac on WELL over 5k. The voltage the amp put put has zero effect on any input knob. The pac just controls the incoming voltage. Simple. That would be like saying some head units have a hard time with 5k and up amps. The volume knob on a source is the same as the pac. Take the incoming voltage and controls it. That is it.
Also, the lc2 is a line out put convertor, with a knob. No rca level in.
Edit- Who the fuck wants that.
Hey i was shopping for some for mids highs and bass and i thought of the panda for my bass but i need to knw which bass knob is better for mids and highs clip or no clip light.. jst wanted to knw so i can order them peace
The pac LC-1 are solid. If gains are set right no need for clip indicator. I run similar ones for my mid and high, then the panda for my subs ;)
Learn something new here question since u have power wire right next to the rca do they pick the noise up or how do you prevent that
Have not detected any noise from it with this Knob. Very small gauge/ low draw.
Do you use an aftermarket bass knob or do you use the one that comes with the amp you have ?
Depends, but in my current setup I’m using all aftermarket ones. I like the fact they tie into your rca cables
@@NextLevelCarAudio adding to the above question a bit. Seems now a days everything has a knob, which device is best? Clarion EQ? CT audio amps? Line level convertor? So after this install I have 4 knobs to choose from! I'm thinking the Clarion mcd360 one might be best? Thanks
The clarion is a great unit. Lots of adjustability. And quality made
Sweet I didn't know you were local to Washington I live in tenino myself I'm looking to purchase a base knob maybe you can point me in the right direction😎 the ds18 looks like a great choice
Awesome. Yeah the DS18 was the right choice for me. i bought mines off ebay. here is link to it. cheapest one i found with free shipping.
www.ebay.com/itm/DS18-BKVR-Universal-Car-Amp-Volume-Remote-Bass-Knob-12V-Amplifier-RCA-Volt-Meter/184216320435?epid=20018037159&hash=item2ae425f9b3:g:xwQAAOSwt6heE7Ly
Thank you so much I'm going to order it today
Do we have meets up here? I’m in Lacey. 🍻
Not that I know of.... that would be sweet tho.
Hey, is these knobs universal? I have a hifonics brutus 2000 & wanted a bass knob that has a clip light on it. Please let me know
Good video.
I will be adding a DSR1 as well as upgrading my RCAs at the same time and was wondering about the bass knob/voltage meter combo.
Didn't know if there were draw backs other than the fact of the RCAs attached to them may not be the same quality as the stingers, but with the combo only having like 4 inches of RCA. That is a good thing.
However I'm left with a question. Do I install it between my head unit and DSR1 or between the DSR1 and amp?
At the start of the video you said you were going to mention the best place to mount it, but must have gotten side tracked. Thanks for the knowledge!
I love the combo with the voltage reading. Does exactly what i need it to do. I probably did get sidetracked in the video. it happens a lot to me lol. But as far at to where to install the knob, it would be after the DSR1 before the signal goes into the amp. Since the DSR1 will act as a preamp, it should go after the DSR1 like you would if you were using a aftermarket head units preamp outputs without a inline DSR1 or any kind of DSP. Hope that helps
One bad thing is you cant turn down the brightness of the voltage read out yes can be a pain its bright at night
Maybe you could put some window tint on the display? Just a random thought that popped up in my little brain. 😅
What's the difference between these and the ones with the telephone style connector?
My amp has the one with that connector
These just tap into your RCA cables before they go into the amp. Either work fine... does the same thing. Just personal preference really
The pot on my bass knob does the same thing. For such an expensive bass knob to have problems with it like making my music cuts up-and-down is horrible!!!
yep... i know the suck lol
Shoot I'll take the blue one!😂 sky high has a few sweet ones similar. But $75-$100!
the blue one is a sky high one
@@owenrook6467 yeah, I got one. Its got slam panda internals. I think they all do. But its on my channel if ya wanna check it out.
@@1ohmwrecker hell yea sick bro ima check it out right now 👍🏼
Did you connect the DS18 power wire to the battery or to the amp power?
I connected it to my 12v+ amp turn on wire. That way it comes on when my a Amp does without having to wire any relays or such.
are these better then the stock ones that come with amps with the telephone cord
It depends, some manufacturers have some decent ones with built in volt meter and clip indicators. But the basic ones that most amps come with are garbage compared to inline RCA controllers.
So if I ran this on my taramps smart 3 would I turn down the bass boost on the amp or set like normal?
Set everything like you normally would then use this. These don’t boost signal, only attenuate it. Having these knobs all the way up would be like not connecting it at all
Hi I need help wondering if i will be able to install a universal bass knob or not since my stereo does not have rca inputs.
You can get a LOC which converts your speaker outputs to rca and then install a universal rca Knob like normal
@@NextLevelCarAudio thanks, very much appreciated
When you turn off the ds18 knob can you still read the voltage meter? Just wondering cause when I turn off my ds18 knob the voltage meter stays on don't know if that's normal or am I connecting something wrong.
Everything turns off on mines
i bet you you got a polarity reversing pot. Good for inverting speaker signal when needed.
I install the LC1 on motorcycles and side by sides. I do not recommend them for one issue that no one talks about. When you install the LC1 the music drops down in volume. I noticed this when installed one the other day on a motorcycle.
That’s weird, I never had that issue. Hmmm
You can simply check the voltage coming out of the pac with a meter. Ive yet to see any of the billions ive seen in use ever do that.
Edit- probably why no one talks about it.
Have a question. As far as the voltmeter, where is the best place to hook up the power of the voltmeter to get the most accurate levels of your voltage?
For car audio, at the amplifier power/ground. That will be the most true reading of how much voltage your amp is seeing
@@NextLevelCarAudio awesome!! Thanks and good videos.
@@NextLevelCarAudio what happened with the slam Panda Bass Knob?
Gain pot broke. Had to swap it out with s as lc1 pot. I still have it, sitting in my shop in a drawer 😂
@@NextLevelCarAudio so they didn't fix it?
Good luck with that slam panda full year and I never got mine replaced. I thought I was the only person that had exactly same issue sense day one . I finally threw the thing away cause when i got in contact the Last year they acted like it's impossible for there product to be a pile of Donkey poo. I ended up going to radio shack and built one the same way besides mine actually works like it should and it cost me a total or 11 bucks for ev we everything
Thanks for sharing
Anyone know if the digital sundown salt bass knob is compatible with the nvx digital bass knob....and since I think the nvx xad16 8000w rms is a copy of the sundown 8000watt rms amp....both use the telephone cord style of connection .....just want to confirm this with anyone since this sundown bass knob is better
I. Got an amp that has a spot for a knob but that knob cost $20 could I just get the pac-lc1 or would it be best to get the knob it’s designed for
pac lc-1 has been trid and tested. cant go wrong if its easier for you
the only bass control knobs that I could find online is the basic RCA one (PAC-LC1). Where can I find other knobs?
-Down4sound website
-limitless lithium website has a bunch.
-I have a nice one for sale brand new I can send you for $100 even with free shipping. Here is a link to it if interested.
www.down4soundshop.com/down4sound-metal-bass-knob-with-voltmeter-green/
I went a different route in my other vehicle and don’t need this one.
Pacs the best
Very basic... but tired and tested throughout the years. And does have a solid pot.
Do you still sell them?
Not anymore. Sorry
Where do you wire the amp kill switch to the amp?
In have it ran inline with the remote turn on wire. So I can turn it in/off at will. Besides the head unit powering it on/off
How you know I’m running the LC1??🧐
Can I get the lc1 from you. I got the rp2000 and the knob that came with it takes away power. I’m bummed
MOPAR 300 are you local to Olympia, wa?
NextLevelHummer I’m in Kent Washington. Damn didn’t know you’re from Washington
I’ll sub to your channel
MOPAR 300 cool man, if you ever make it down to the Lacey/Olympia area let me know. I’ll hook you up and give you a demo if you want :P later
NextLevelHummer hell yeah bro. I might be heading down to DuPont on Saturday. How much you want for it? I’ll let you know if we’re heading down there
I bought an identical bass knob other than its sky high branded, but slam panda internals. I got it on my channel. But it doesn't work for some reason. The led and volt meter work tho. Its breaking my heart. I think they forgot to solder something.
I just seen I wrote a comment 8 months ago, and now I finally have one. But 😔
That sucks man!!!! I know the feeling lol
@@NextLevelCarAudio I took the rca's apart, cuz they're like the tiffany style, and only 1 wire is soldered on all 4 of the rca ends. So I pushed the wire to the correct spot and it works, so instead of trying to exchange thru amazon and all that, I think I'm just gonna solder them on. I just cant believe they forgot that on every one of the rca's.
Wow...., that’s crazy. That’s kinda a important part of the wiring lol
@@NextLevelCarAudio since all 4 of em were like that, I thought it was supposed to be like that. But I searched how to make rca's on youtube and what they show is it should be soldered on lol.
I noticed that all of the knobs have rca’s and not the phone line style. Why?and which is better?
Rca. They are inline and control level before going into the amp. One w exception is if you are using one that has built in volt meter and clip light. Like the sundown salt series knobs for example that are amp specific
Which one of these can I use with a lc2i ?
Anyone will work honestly. As they tap right into your RCA outputs
What’s better, wiring a bass knob to the LOC or to the amplifier? I have the lc2i and it does not turn the bass all the way off at the lowest setting...which is a setting I would like to have.
In your situation, either way will yield you the same result. Just preference and/or what’s easier for you
@@NextLevelCarAudio Awesome thank you I appreciate it. You should do a video on how to set up your line out converter. I’m having trouble getting mine tuned and just write
I’ll try to add it to the lineup
sad how such simple gadgets are not available in my country. I want one for my subs but the shipping cost (in relation to actual cost) puts me off. Might have to ship in a bundle.
Herman Lenana that sucks. They really are very useful. Hope you can find one!
same here bro
@@ninobro1347 It sucks man
@@NextLevelCarAudio I did eventually import one from amazon lol
Cheap pots used will not be balanced from left channel to right channel.
I agree
Always test before you sell.
how much was the panda knob and what's the link?
Had to contact him directly through his Facebook page. No link. Was about $125
Were can I find the DS18 BKVR
If the ds18 website is out of them, then I’m not sure....
This is not a review he is just giving his opinion with no data or testing to back it up
I installed one of these PAC LC-1 in my truck on an alpine sub amp and i'm getting humming tru my subs can some one help ?
RCAs probably specifically if you have cheap ones!
Where’s your shop at ?
In don’t have a shop, I just do freelance work here and there.
Damn if had one I would definitely take my truck to your shop just cuz theirs a lot shops that they try to sell you stuff that ain’t worth the price love your reviews keep up the good work 👍
Awesome man. Thanks for the feedback ;)
Wold you sell me the sundown custom bass knob my friend
I don’t have it anymore… sorry :/
Shit I went through like 10 pac lc-1s I have the ct sounds universal one too that ds18 looks like they copied them I’ve ran the spl cartel gernades had issues with them will never buy there crap again and now I really n a custom made 180$ slam panda no acrylic I don’t like those no volt meter I can’t stand that on the knob but I got a metal casing with my custom l.a. on it and my name downer with some broads and clowns on it it’s bad ass can’t complain
Link to Slam panda?
John BassHead Work you gotta contact them through their Facebook page. No external link
John BassHead Work you gotta contact them through their Facebook page. No external link
You can get them here if you're still looking. On sale too fulltiltaudio.net/collections/bassknobs
try out SPL Cartel bass knobs. you'll change your mind
paul Leys I would have liked to try one to compare to the ones here, but did not have one. The DS18 was my favorite just based off the three here I had to sample. Thanks for the recommendation tho.
@@NextLevelCarAudio order one through full tilt audio dot net if ya ever wanna give one a try. Damn good guy to get your power wire, rca cables and accessories from too. 🤘
@@NextLevelCarAudio how's the experience with the Ds18? The wires are thinner than I thought. Easy to solder?
@@ICXCONE wires are super thin!!! and short. those were my only complaints. put functions great! no complaints there! does the job well
Lc1 junk don't know about the others tho
By a Kenwood or any upper line head unit you wont need none of these !
How come?
"bad pot" thats not a bad pot that's him wiring it wrong
Panda has zero customer support