popping noise problem, solution needed

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=111032
Printed Date: September 16, 2025 at 10:03 PM

Topic: popping noise problem, solution needed

Posted By: gv200
Subject: popping noise problem, solution needed
Date Posted: January 27, 2009 at 6:14 AM

Hello,

Here's my setup:

JVC KD-AR5500 HU, JL Audio 300/4 amp, 2 sets of Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.1, Audiobahn ATB10AT powered sub.

The problem I'm having is a popping sound coming from my speakers when I change tracks, change sources on the head unit, powering up and down of the system. The system's grounds are done properly, no issues there.

Other then this the system sounds great. I've done searches on the problem already, I just can seem to find the proper solution.

Anyone have any ideas?

Replies:

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: January 27, 2009 at 8:21 AM

Have you tried turning the gains down on your amplifiers?

Posted By: 04nata
Date Posted: January 27, 2009 at 9:00 AM

also make sure your RCA'a are plugged all the way in, I had the same exact problem and it was a loose RCA

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2004 Hyundai Sonata
Kenwood KDC-X599 HU
2-Sundown X-18D4
2-SQ Q4500.1
2-SQ Q90.4
1-Massive DBX4
8-Niche 5.25 mids
8-Niche Tweeters
4-Skar 8" mid-bass
OhioGen 220a alt
OhioGen 350a alt
156.0

Posted By: gv200
Date Posted: January 27, 2009 at 9:33 PM

I turned down the gains on the amp and although it did help reduce the level of the popping it still pops. The RCA's were all corrected properly as well.

I am wondering if this can be related to the RCA shields on the Head Unit not being grounded properly.

Anyone else have any ideas?

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: January 27, 2009 at 10:04 PM

Usually if the shield of the RCA is not grounded, engine noise is the most noticeable of all issues. But you could still have that problem. Perform the test at the top of This Page.

Posted By: gv200
Date Posted: January 28, 2009 at 9:54 PM

i am an idiot wrote:

Usually if the shield of the RCA is not grounded, engine noise is the most noticeable of all issues. But you could still have that problem. Perform the test at the top of This Page.

I tried the test you recommended but I'm not totally sure about its results.

I did as the tutorial asked about setting the mulitmeter to the ohms setting and then I touched the unit's RED tester to the HU's case and the BLACK tester to the RCA's connectors without the RCA connected. Also the radio and car were turned off.

The reading I got when I touched the black tester to the RCA connecter was 28.2

Is this a bad RCA shield ground?

Posted By: gv200
Date Posted: January 30, 2009 at 4:11 PM

To anyone who has followed this thread, my problem with popping sounds has been solved.

The solution was to ground the Headunit's RCA's to the Headunit's metal case. A tutorial can be found here - https://bcae1.com/images/rca/temporaryrcashieldrepair.html

Thanks to everyone who offered their advice. posted_image

Posted By: joch1314
Date Posted: January 30, 2009 at 5:27 PM

I had a feeling that once "i am an idiot" got his "hands" into this thread, that he'd take care of your problem! Why hasn't he gotten the "i" under his name yet mods? He ALWAYS gives very reliable information! ok...sorry.....rant over!

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...half of the truth can be worse than a lie. <----Roger Russell said that..