Socrates

This is my first stereo install, and I did alot of searching on the 'net before I started, but it doesnt seem to be working. I am hoping that I can borrow some of your expertise, in leading me in the right direction.
-First, here is what I am working with: Pioneer deck, MB Quart component set in the front doors and one RE HC 15 sub. Alpine two-channel amp going to the tweeters, Phoenix Gold M50 amp going to the mids and Phoenix Gold M100 amp going to the sub. Clarion 3-way active crossover, PG distribution blocks for fuses and ground and a PG cap. Under the hood I have an Optima and I upgraded the main 3. Also I am using 2 gauge power wire.
I hooked everything up today and the sub seems to be working though not very loud(I didnt want to turn the deck up loud), and some sort of scratchy noise was coming from the right speakers, and nothing from the left speakers (I couldnt hear any music out of the mids or the tweeters).
My question is, where should I start for troubleshooting? What are the main things I should be looking at?
This is my first install (in the past I had friends do it for me), so I would greatly appreciate any help.

[ May 23, 2004, 02:11 AM: Message edited by: Socrates ]

PEI330Ci

Man, I feel for you. That sucks.

Oh...yeah...you want some help.

Try running your RCA from your deck direct to your midrange amp. (no X.O.) It won't hurt it, so don't worry. Make sure the gain (volume) on the midrange amp is turned down to around 1/4. Now starting with your deck at Zero volume, play a cd and gradually increase the volume.

Let me know if you get sound from that, and I'll take you step by step along the way to getting good sound out of your system.

Adam

Socrates

Okay, I tried that, (putting the RCA from the deck directly into the midrange amp) and the mids worked perfectly. What next?

As a note, I only have 1 RCA out on my deck, should I split this into 3, to go into the 3 RCA inputs on the crossover? The Clarion instructions say I can just have the 1 RCA going into the high pass input, so thats the way I have it now.

PEI330Ci

Do you have a model # for the Clarion X.O. so I can check out it's specs?

I'm thinking from what you've said that you have a X.O. problem. It could be the settings, connections, or the X.O. being defective. Don't jump to conclusions though, let's find out what is going on step by step.

Let's start with the model # and go from there.

Adam

Socrates

Model #MCD360 3-way electronic crossover with remote subwoofer control.
I just bought it last week from A&B sound for $185 plus tax.

Here is a link to the installation manual:

http://www.teamclarion.com/sharedweb...c?OpenDocument

(And by the way...I REALLY appreciate your help here).

[ May 23, 2004, 10:42 AM: Message edited by: Socrates ]

Socrates

...If you look on page 12 of that manual at the '3-way system' (configured for single channel
input with dedicated amplifiers for tweeters, midranges and subwoofer)...thats exactly how I have mine wired up.

Socrates

Well I fixed it. Damn is this embarrassing, but when I was finishing up the wiring underneath my amp board, I hooked up the crossover remote to the ground wire, and the crossover ground to the remote.
Haha, I guess my first install couldnt have gone perfect. Anyways, that is fixed and everything sounds awesome now.
A big thanks for your help PEI330Ci, as your advice is what got me looking at the crossover in the first place.

PEI330Ci

Good to hear...not the first time it's happened to anyone either.

Happy listening,

Adam