system installed, but not satisfied
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=73508
Printed Date: May 10, 2024 at 3:47 AM
Topic: system installed, but not satisfied
Posted By: mpdej8
Subject: system installed, but not satisfied
Date Posted: February 25, 2006 at 10:51 PM
Ok, I have a 1999 Dodge Durango with the Premium Infinity sound system. One of my stock front door speakers blew, so I took this opportunity to replace all the speakers and the amplifier. I left the stock head unit, but replaced every thing else. In the front doors I installed Alpine SPR-17LS 6.5in Component system speakers. In the rear doors I installed Alpine SPS-170a 6.5 2-way speakers. I'm pushing all these with an Alpine MRP-F240 4 channel amplifier, running from the Dodge stock head unit. The system just sounds kind of dull. I really expected much more from it. Its almost as if the stock system sounded better. I did install a cheap line level converter to convert the speaker level to RCA going from the head unit to the amplifier. Could this be my problem? Should I just run to the speaker level inputs on the amplifier from the head unit? Do you think it would sound much better than my cheap line level converter? If anyone has any insight or tips, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Matt
Replies:
Posted By: rottenbelly
Date Posted: February 25, 2006 at 11:17 PM
I probably would try using the built in high level input since it has them. On les thing to go wrong with.How about the amp is it adjusted right dont have the crossover set wrong?Just something to check. Is your sound dull as in no bass or highs?
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rottenbellys 05 crew cab colorado.Pioneer dehp 880prs, kenwood excelon in all 4 doors. Bazooka 500 mono Jl 10w3 in coustom center console box.
Posted By: mad550
Date Posted: February 25, 2006 at 11:22 PM
Line level converters can be a problem, but just remember the more circuits inline from the source unit invites engine noise issues i would suggest using the line level converter on the amp but make sure you twist the wires together and keep the wiring as far from any factory wiring as you can usually the tunnel down the middle is a good place to run them.
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WOW Sight and Sound
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Do it right the first time or don't do it at all.
Posted By: brison
Date Posted: February 26, 2006 at 12:10 AM
In that vehicle I think there is a factory amp to run the Premium sound system make sure you bypass it somehow or you will not get the sound you are looking for. you can test for an amp by bumping the speakers with a 9 volt battery. if they make a thump when you touch the + and the - to the battery then there is no amp but if you don't hear anything then you have amp that needs to be bypassed to get good sound. Thought this might help.
Posted By: mpdej8
Date Posted: February 26, 2006 at 7:41 AM
Thanks Brison, I did totally bypass the factory amp. Everything on the Alpine amp is set correctly, gain, crossover, Bass EQ. The sound is ok, it has highs and lows, it just doesn't sound like I think it should. Not as loud as the factory system. Almost sounds like it is playing down in a well. Thanks guys.
Posted By: j_darling2007
Date Posted: February 26, 2006 at 9:41 AM
Are your speakers wired in phase. If you play with the balance and fade does the sound improve? If you can test with a 9 volt, the cone should push out when touched to the battery.
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There are 3 kinds of people in the world, those who can count and those who can't
Posted By: soundzplus
Date Posted: February 26, 2006 at 10:10 AM
Also -- ck to see if the LOC is wired in phase ... this can also cause some strange things to happen just a thought ------------- Soundz Plus, Inc
Complete Custom Car Audio
Warrenville, IL
Posted By: Alpine Guy
Date Posted: February 26, 2006 at 11:20 AM
Could also be that your used to the bad sound the factory speakers produce. Most factory speakers over do the bass so when you put in aftermarket units you miss that overload of bass from the speakers. Fact is your going to need a sub to get back that bass, those speakers are meant to be used with a sub. Definately chuck that LOC and wire the factory speaker outputs to the amp directly. Heck, the output from the factory HU may already be low level so you may be able to put RCA ends on there and plug it into the RCA plugs on the amp! Check it out, see what you can find. ------------- 2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.
Posted By: mpdej8
Date Posted: February 26, 2006 at 11:52 AM
thanks all. I know everythin is in correct phase, I took special care to make sure all "+" and "-" were matched up correctly. I paid for and downloaded the wiring schematic of the Durango so I knew what wires were what. I think I need to eliminate the converter. Matt
Posted By: kirktcashalini
Date Posted: February 26, 2006 at 2:19 PM
you know on this site, you can get pretty good diagrams for free, just for future reference for next time...
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99 Blazer LT. Yellow Top. Big 3. Infinity Kappa Speakers All Around. Jensen CD/DVD flip out. 2 Infinity Kappa Perfect 12DVQs powered by a Alpine PDX600.1 (in one custom box, building a FG box)
Posted By: mpdej8
Date Posted: February 26, 2006 at 7:18 PM
I did download the specs on this site for my '99 Durango, but it did not include the stock amplifier. All wire colors changed leaving the amp and going to the speakers. So, it was pretty much useless.
Posted By: speedwayaudio1
Date Posted: February 26, 2006 at 7:55 PM
Alpine Guy wrote:
Could also be that your used to the bad sound the factory speakers produce. Most factory speakers over do the bass so when you put in aftermarket units you miss that overload of bass from the speakers. Fact is your going to need a sub to get back that bass, those speakers are meant to be used with a sub. Definately chuck that LOC and wire the factory speaker outputs to the amp directly. Heck, the output from the factory HU may already be low level so you may be able to put RCA ends on there and plug it into the RCA plugs on the amp! Check it out, see what you can find.
I agree. need at least a single sub. I also think you need to replace the oem head unit with a nice new Alpine head unit, or what ever brand you like. ------------- Big Dave
Posted By: nismo350z
Date Posted: February 26, 2006 at 9:18 PM
Im personal a firm believer in good quality cables. If your still running the 22 gauge speaker wire that might be something to switch out also.(not saying thats the source of your problem but just a suggestion) Keep in mind also that stock head unit vs after market head unit is going to produce much better sound. especially if you get one with a higher pre-amp outs in order to deliever a stornger signal.
Posted By: tomfin2000
Date Posted: February 28, 2006 at 11:08 AM
mpdej8 wrote:
Thanks Brison, I did totally bypass the factory amp. Everything on the Alpine amp is set correctly, gain, crossover, Bass EQ. The sound is ok, it has highs and lows, it just doesn't sound like I think it should. Not as loud as the factory system. Almost sounds like it is playing down in a well.
I know you believe the gains on the amp are set correctly, but how did you set them? Also, what are the specs on your line level converter?. Gains can be tricky. The preouts on my head unit are rated at 8v, and the minimum gain on my Alpine amp (like yours) is 4v. Based on the specs alone, that would lead you to believe that even with the gains set at the minimum, I would be clipping. However, I actually have the gains set above the 2v mark. Both my ears and my multimeter tell me this is correct. Why? Because to get a full 8v, I would need to be playing TEST TONES with my head unit at full volume. Since the relationship between the volume and the pre-out voltage is non-linear, when I'm listening to MUSIC at normal volumes, I'm only sending around 2 volts to the amp. If I'm only sending 2 volts to my amp with 8v preouts, then you may be sending less than 1 volt to your amp with your stock HU preouts unless your line level converter is giving you more voltage. So what I'm getting at is that you might actually have your gains set way too low unless you've already taken all of this into account. -------------
Posted By: sroberts4927
Date Posted: February 28, 2006 at 12:36 PM
Yes the stock unit is your issue, I have 2005 dodge caravan with mtx 12" pro 4000 that do the same thing it sound better then stock but not good as if you change the head unit out, I have a inline converter on mine sometimes at full volume the head unit shuts down the music I have to turn off and back on and it is fine, there is something with the power output of the unit that causes issues with the converter most can on go to 30 watts input to the filter, replace the unit and you should be happy I know I was
Posted By: peter griffin
Date Posted: March 01, 2006 at 11:46 AM
change out that junk dodge head unit with somthing with better sound control the stock one is made for that infinity system wich you dont have any more
Posted By: kirktcashalini
Date Posted: March 01, 2006 at 11:51 AM
Hey peter, whats up... I was following you timewise on a couple posts. You tell one guy not to install speakers, but install subs and delete the speakers. and now you tell this guy to junk his head unit. Stock headunits, if a good one, can sound great. I would look into a Audiocontrol LC6, It will blow the pants off any LOC, and will be nice and adjustable, and will filter perfectly.
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99 Blazer LT. Yellow Top. Big 3. Infinity Kappa Speakers All Around. Jensen CD/DVD flip out. 2 Infinity Kappa Perfect 12DVQs powered by a Alpine PDX600.1 (in one custom box, building a FG box)
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