So, i've got a problem regarding a set of speakers. When the vehicle is on there is engine noise present, some times the sound gets muffled and distorted, and the music randomly gets loud, then gets quiet again.

Now, where they were first put in, they were loud, now at the same volume they are quieter, but when they do get loud again its like when they were first put in.

My first guess was that it is the amp causing the problem, HOWEVER, with two basic aftermarket speakers hooked up to the amp, there is no problem so far. This has lead me to the conclusion that the speakers are the problem, but I for the life of me cannot figure out why this is so.

Hopefully tomorrow I can come back with some more facts, but that's what I've got so far. The next test I think would be to hook up the problem speakers to the deck and see if the problem persists, but I cannot replicate the volume increases or muffled sound with the speakers hooked up to a stereo in a house.

Can anyone tell me if there is something I should be looking at, or if it is possible for the speakers to the problem?

I've already taken them apart and check ever speaker individually, but I'm starting to think I might have missed something. But if anyone has any ideas/suggestions/solutions please let me know.

 

both side do the same thing at the same time?

 

Um, I'm pretty sure.

I've done a little testing and it turns out that is isn't the speakers...I think. I hooked up another set of speakers to the amp, and while I eliminated the engine noise, these speakers fluctuated in volume and became muffled at points.

I then decided to hook up the original problem speakers to my deck directly, and there was no noise, volume change, or any other problem, so I at least can say the speakers aren't the whole problem.

I know it probably doesn't make sense, but I think the engine noise problem may be due to the sensitivity of the speakers. My next step is to check the connections and swap the amp tomorrow. If that yields no problem, then I'll know the amp is the problem.

 

what kind of amp? it sounds like it's being stressed and is doing some crazy .

 

its a soundigital 400.1. its supposed to to 400 watts at 1 ohm, which is what it should be wired to. It might be higher but there is no way it can be any lower. Even then the gain is all the way down. I'm going to arrange for an amp swap today I hope, so I should have a better idea soon

 

just an idea... could there be a small cut in one of the speaker wires that it might be against metal which would short it out?(sometimes it might be an intermittent short if, lets say it only touches when you hit a bump or something in that order)

good luck

randy

 

This is what i was thinking to, that or check to see if the wires are being pinched between any panels anywhere. Also is it a good gauge of wire and is it old used wire that may no longer be very good or is it new?

You could also re-check your power and ground, make sure there proper sized wiring for the amp and that the ground has a good connection.

 

Well the power wire is my old stinger 8 guage, which I figured was fine for 400 watts, if I was expecting to get the much, but like I said the gain is all the way down. The ground is 4 guage, but its some cheap 4 guage that is really probably just 8 guage in a thick jacket. The speaker wire is exposed from the amp to the speakers so they aren't damaged or anything. I tried to get an amp but couldn't get a hold of my friend and started drinking, so that put everything hold. The connection for the ground seems to be good, so I'm thinking it may be the ground, perhaps even the RCA's, but like I said I want to swap the amp first to see if that is the culprit before I proceed.

 

when in doubt, have a drink

 

Pretty much just keep doing what your doing testing different bits here and there at separate times and eventually you will discover the issue, hopefully lol .