New Audio System, Quality Issue

[DatacomGuy]

Just installed 5 channel amp (Kenwood XR900-5), subs (JL CP208LG-W3V3), and PAC AmpPro. I have the 8.4 with factory alpines. I planned on using factory speakers for now.

I'm getting some major crackling and distortion when I turn the volume mid way or so and have to turn the gains way down to avoid. Unfortunately it means my min volume is around 18 on the deck, and when I get to 24 and beyond it sounds horrible. The adjustment knob for the PAC is in the middle. If I turn it down it turns down the subs. I've tested with the knob all the way down but still have the same issues.

Is this a stock speaker problem? Amppro issue? Sound quality is great in the narrow window but volume is low due to turned down gains. ? where do I start?

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[johnparjr]

Stock speakers suck and are the same even in the more expensive system I would start there

 

[Jeepmonster]

Are you powering just the add-on subs with the 5 channel amp? Which PAC AmpPro model are you using? I'm using a PAC APSUB-CH41, and it works great.

 

[DatacomGuy]

Are you powering just the add-on subs with the 5 channel amp? Which PAC AmpPro model are you using? I'm using a PAC APSUB-CH41, and it works great.

I'm running all factory speakers and the subs. PAC Amppro AP4-CH41.

 

[Jeepmonster]

I'm running all factory speakers and the subs. PAC Amppro AP4-CH41.

I'm not sure if it will help for your situation, but for my set up, I disabled the EQ so that I could adjust the gain for the add-on sub independently with the PAC knob. Then I adjusted the factory bass setting mid-way on the EQ (from head unit), basically keeping the level low and not overworking the factory sub. I's very possible your factory speakers can't handle the additional power.

 

[dcmdon]

Its not the speakers.

They wouldn't all fail at once. So if the noise is coming from more than one, then its something besides the speakers.

How is your amp grounded? Have you tried driving your amp with something like a phone with headphone to RCA cable?

This could be a good troubleshooting step since it removes the entire factory head unit from the picture. If the noise is still there, its the amp. If its gone, then its something upstream from the amp.

https://smile.amazon.com/UGREEN-Auxiliary-Splitter-Compatible-Smartphone/dp/B088GR2Z2G

 

[Jeepmonster]

@DatacomGuy , is the bleow configuration how you have your AmpPro and amplifier set up? What is hooked up to the outputs of the 5-channel amp? Did you say you have the subs and factory speakers hooked up to the amp?

 

[DatacomGuy]

Its not the speakers.

They wouldn't all fail at once. So if the noise is coming from more than one, then its something besides the speakers.

How is your amp grounded? Have you tried driving your amp with something like a phone with headphone to RCA cable?

This could be a good troubleshooting step since it removes the entire factory head unit from the picture. If the noise is still there, its the amp. If its gone, then its something upstream from the amp.

https://smile.amazon.com/UGREEN-Auxiliary-Splitter-Compatible-Smartphone/dp/B088GR2Z2G

Good thought on the speakers. It's definitely coming from all the speakers (don't think from the subs).

Thank you, I'll check out your suggestions and I'll check out the ground too. Where is everyone grounding successfully? Perhaps I'll start there.

 

[DatacomGuy]

@DatacomGuy , is the bleow configuration how you have your AmpPro and amplifier set up? What is hooked up to the outputs of the 5-channel amp? Did you say you have the subs and factory speakers hooked up to the amp?

Yes correct.

PAC T-Harness with speaker line in harness. T-harness to the amppro with RCA out. RCA's to the 5-channel amp. Speaker out from the amp to the speaker line-in harness in the t-harness. Sub out from the amp directly to the aftermarket subs.

 

[dcmdon]

Good thought on the speakers. It's definitely coming from all the speakers (don't think from the subs).

Thank you, I'll check out your suggestions and I'll check out the ground too. Where is everyone grounding successfully? Perhaps I'll start there.

I'm a hack. I'd just ground to the frame.

Google "avoiding ground loops" to make sure you do it right. I actually don't remember the best way.

I do know enough to know what I don't know. ha.

 

[Jeepmonster]

Yes correct.

PAC T-Harness with speaker line in harness. T-harness to the amppro with RCA out. RCA's to the 5-channel amp. Speaker out from the amp to the speaker line-in harness in the t-harness. Sub out from the amp directly to the aftermarket subs.

If I understand correctly, the only things the aftermarket amp is powering are the aftermarket subs, correct? The factory amp should be powering the factory speakers. I'm curious where the cracking/distortion is coming from.

 

[dcmdon]

If I understand correctly, the only things the aftermarket amp is powering are the aftermarket subs, correct? The factory amp should be powering the factory speakers. I'm curious where the cracking/distortion is coming from.

No the Ampro converts the factory output whatever it is to RCAs to drive the amp. Based on his description he's driving all the speakers with the amp.

 

[DatacomGuy]

If I understand correctly, the only things the aftermarket amp is powering are the aftermarket subs, correct? The factory amp should be powering the factory speakers. I'm curious where the cracking/distortion is coming from.

No the Ampro converts the factory output whatever it is to RCAs to drive the amp. Based on his description he's driving all the speakers with the amp.

Correct - Driving all factory speakers (minus factory sub) and aftermarket subs with the amp. Amppro converts canbus to a clean usable preamp out signal; 5 channels. Sub channel non-fading, and front and rear.

 

[dcmdon]

Correct - Driving all factory speakers (minus factory sub) and aftermarket subs with the amp. Amppro converts canbus to a clean usable preamp out signal; 5 channels. Sub channel non-fading, and front and rear.

I'm not up on all the new car audio stuff. But are you saying that the head unit communicates with the factory amp via canbus? That's crazy.

 

[DatacomGuy]

I'm not up on all the new car audio stuff. But are you saying that the head unit communicates with the factory amp via canbus? That's crazy.

Thats my understanding. Don't quote me, I could be wrong - but that's the whole reason that the amppro is needed. Canbus/uconnect doesn't provide a flat usable signal.

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