New speakers and amp

dragon1952
dragon1952 Posts: 4,899
edited June 2019 in Car Audio & Electronics
I just had my car speakers and amp upgraded in my 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited AWD. It had 4 x 6.5" speakers in the front and rear doors plus a pair of tweeters in the front. I went with the Hertz DCX 165.3's and a Kicker Key180.4 amp. Holy cow what a difference. I know these aren't expensive options but compared to the stock speakers it's just ridiculous. I knew stock speakers were cheap but when I saw what they took out of there I was shocked. The 6.5's weighed about 2 ounces and had the flimsiest paper drivers and the tweeters weighed maybe 1/8th of an ounce. No wonder they sounded so bad.
Having said that, there is an audible low frequency rumble with no source selected and the speaker volume at around 3/4. I'll go back tomorrow and point it out but just wondering in the meantime what might be going on.
2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
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Comments

  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    Sounds like a grounding issue.
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  • codycatalist
    codycatalist Posts: 2,662
    edited June 2019
    Yeah either ground loop or bad connection somewhere. First check engine fuse block, then make your way to the amp. I hate redoing my grounds but sometimes worth it.

    Could also be the RCAs if they are ran near a power wire, can be picking up noise but normally that manifest itself as a whine.

    If your up for troubleshooting remove the rcas from the amp and see if the noise remains, if so it is a wiring issue.
    Just a dude doing dude-ly things

    "Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
    " I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
    "Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
    "Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
    "Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member
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  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,899
    I took it back in yesterday. The tech said it was likely the gain on the new amp being a tad high and that he could adjust it but I'd lose a bit of power. It's not really an issue for me since it's not that loud. Kinda sounds like a fan on low and is not audible at all with music playing. The Kicker Key180.4 amp is only 45 WPC to begin with (speakers are rated for 60 and 80) and I don't want to sacrifice the power. I have the option to trade up to a higher power amp but don't want to give up the DSP tuning this amp offers.
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    Sounds like the tech was being lazy and didn't really want to troubleshoot what was causing it, and instead chose to make up excuses.
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  • codycatalist
    codycatalist Posts: 2,662
    I third the opinion of above. That wasn't the problem at all.

    If you can live with it then go for it but there will be an underlying issue that remains.
    Just a dude doing dude-ly things

    "Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
    " I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
    "Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
    "Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
    "Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member
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  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,899
    edited June 2019
    Well there's a lifetime warranty on the installation so if it is an installation issue I'm covered. This is a stand-up shop with stellar reviews. The tech (which wasn't the installer) said it was the amp's noise floor we were hearing and could be adjusted by lowering the gain. I'm assuming it's like home audio where it's optimal to have the amp and preamp gain matched. I'm using my aftermarket Kenwood receiver which was there when I bought the vehicle. And, again, it's only audible when the volume is up there and with no source.
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
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  • codycatalist
    codycatalist Posts: 2,662
    dragon1952 wrote: »
    Well there's a lifetime warranty on the installation so if it is an installation issue I'm covered. This is a stand-up shop with stellar reviews. The tech (which wasn't the installer) said it was the amp's noise floor we were hearing and could be adjusted by lowering the gain. I'm assuming it's like home audio where it's optimal to have the amp and preamp gain matched. I'm using my aftermarket Kenwood receiver which was there when I bought the vehicle. And, again, it's only audible when the volume is up there and with no source.

    Simple to test, remove the RCAs from the amp and see if the issue remains. Would rule out a wiring issue although I have had many headunit/amp combinations and never had the issue you described.

    Like I said though, if you can live with it screw it and just enjoy the music. :)
    Just a dude doing dude-ly things

    "Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
    " I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
    "Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
    "Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
    "Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    My money is on the grounding point chosen for the amp not having the paint cleaned/scrubbed off before being used.
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  • codycatalist
    codycatalist Posts: 2,662
    Clipdat wrote: »
    My money is on the grounding point chosen for the amp not having the paint cleaned/scrubbed off before being used.

    If it was a ground loop it should be independent of volume and always present...in theory that is. ;)
    Just a dude doing dude-ly things

    "Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
    " I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
    "Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
    "Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
    "Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    edited June 2019
    Not a ground loop, just a bad/partial ground. But yeah, I don't know for sure over the internet. In person I would be able to find the culprit in under 10 mins.
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  • codycatalist
    codycatalist Posts: 2,662
    That’s the beauty of car audio. Simple to troubleshoot, especially compared to home audio.

    That reminds me I should probably fix the wiring issue on my system tomorrow. Been driving me nuts having a thumping sub, just been so dang busy.
    Just a dude doing dude-ly things

    "Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
    " I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
    "Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
    "Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
    "Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member
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  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,899
    So the other day I thought I'd look under the hood and see where they connected the ground. I didn't see it in the engine compartment but while I was in there I disconnected the cable from the + battery terminal and sprayed with electrical cleaner and re-torqued the nut which might have been a tad loose. No more noise
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
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  • codycatalist
    codycatalist Posts: 2,662
    ;)
    Just a dude doing dude-ly things

    "Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
    " I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
    "Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
    "Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
    "Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member
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