| Author |
Message |
WillRB
Samba Member
Joined: October 23, 2020
Posts: 194
Location: Ohio
|
 Posted: Wed May 08, 2024 7:27 pm Post subject: New Speakers Crackling |
 |
|
Installed new speakers (Rockford Fosgate) to replace the originals in my 84 Westy that were “crackling” at higher volume. Figured the 40 year old units had just finally gotten tired. Now noticing that my new speakers have same crackling. They are installed with original speaker wires and a basic pioneer Bluetooth stereo (no cd player).
Not super concerned about perfect sound quality. Just looking to have some speakers that can be played loud enough with windows down on highway.
My brother mentioned I might need to adjust the gain on my head unit?
_________________
1984 Vanagon Westfalia w/ Subaru Conversion (99 Legacy 2.2 Phase II) 2WD 4speed 4.57 R/P (.828 straight cut 4th) GT TBD |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
TopBud
Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2004
Posts: 1115
Location: Flagstaff AZ
|
| Posted: Wed May 08, 2024 7:54 pm Post subject: Re: New Speakers Crackling |
|
|
mine crack also sometimes. It was recommended that I look at an amp. I just haven't yet.
_________________
86 bostig SYNCRO
66 convertible Karmann Ghia |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dublife13
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2021
Posts: 94
Location: washington
|
| Posted: Wed May 08, 2024 8:20 pm Post subject: Re: New Speakers Crackling |
|
|
| WillRB wrote: |
Just looking to have some speakers that can be played loud enough with windows down on highway.
|
Haha! I have some component speakers with crossovers and amplified which I cannot hear with the windows down above 35 miles an hour.
If you have the factory wiring you should run new wires from the head unit to the doors, it would probably help. Is the crackling sound from all speakers at all times and volume? If so I would start with the ground for the head unit and then check all the other connections, if it is more intermittent I would check the speaker connections/wires. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ahwahnee
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 9834
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
|
| Posted: Wed May 08, 2024 8:50 pm Post subject: Re: New Speakers Crackling |
|
|
| I believe the original set-up used a common ground to the rear speakers. This was fine with the original head but most replacements will want a discrete ground to each speaker. I had a crackling sound and ran an extra wire to provide a separate ground - and all was fine. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
WillRB
Samba Member
Joined: October 23, 2020
Posts: 194
Location: Ohio
|
| Posted: Thu May 09, 2024 5:21 am Post subject: Re: New Speakers Crackling |
|
|
| Ahwahnee wrote: |
| I believe the original set-up used a common ground to the rear speakers. This was fine with the original head but most replacements will want a discrete ground to each speaker. I had a crackling sound and ran an extra wire to provide a separate ground - and all was fine. |
Would the lack of an independent ground impact all the speakers or just the rear? I am hearing it upfront, but could be in rear too just haven’t got back there to listen yet.
_________________
1984 Vanagon Westfalia w/ Subaru Conversion (99 Legacy 2.2 Phase II) 2WD 4speed 4.57 R/P (.828 straight cut 4th) GT TBD |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
squeegee_boy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2008
Posts: 766
Location: Langley, BC, Canada
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RoryGirl
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2016
Posts: 824
Location: WestWorld Nanaimo BC
|
| Posted: Thu May 09, 2024 11:12 am Post subject: Re: New Speakers Crackling |
|
|
| WillRB wrote: |
My brother mentioned I might need to adjust the gain on my head unit? |
| TopBud wrote: |
| mine crack also sometimes. It was recommended that I look at an amp. I just haven't yet. |
Though it may or may not be the actual issue...these people are most likely suggesting you're experiencing what's referred to as "clipping"
. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
VicVan
Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2015
Posts: 1875
Location: Vancouver Island, BC
|
| Posted: Thu May 09, 2024 1:26 pm Post subject: Re: New Speakers Crackling |
|
|
| WillRB wrote: |
. Just looking to have some speakers that can be played loud enough with windows down on highway.
|
I don't think that's possible without an amp, and decent quality speakers and tweeters.
My van came with a shitty amp and stock speakers.
I upgraded with better 4" speakers. Quality was a better, but volume level was the same.
I upgraded to a modern receiver (nothing fancy, a medium-range $100 Kenwood USB unit). A bit better
Then, decent Kenwood 6.5" in the doors, with tweeters in the windshield corners. Significant quality increase, both in clarity (tweeters), and level of bass (6.5:, proper install)
Then, sub with integrated amp under the driver's seat (Focal ibus 2.0). Another improvement in quality.
Finally, an amp. Compact Kenwood (M1415 I think?). Only then am I able to comfortably listen to music at highway speed, windows closed.
Windows open at highway speed? I'll need a bigger amp and a bigger sub.
_________________
'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
WillRB
Samba Member
Joined: October 23, 2020
Posts: 194
Location: Ohio
|
| Posted: Tue May 14, 2024 7:38 pm Post subject: Re: New Speakers Crackling |
|
|
Thanks everyone for the advice. Bit the bullet and installed a micro Sony amp from under the dash behind the glovebox. Overall a pretty simple job. What a big difference.
_________________
1984 Vanagon Westfalia w/ Subaru Conversion (99 Legacy 2.2 Phase II) 2WD 4speed 4.57 R/P (.828 straight cut 4th) GT TBD |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
