Bass loss when driving, sounds good when stopped

[grandam888 10+ year member]

Noticed lately my bass is almost non existent while driving, but when at a light or something, bass hits nice.

System is not the one listed in my signature, running 12" hifonics sub(inverted with phase reversed) on a 300 watt JBL monoblock amp wired at 2 ohms, 1 cube box tuned to 38hz all electrical upgraded including big three. Old school 4 channel planet audio on my highs with jvc headunit.

My voltage at a stop with system running is low in my opinion, about 12.4, not sure why, but driving voltage is near 14 volts. This strikes me as odd as the amp is actually louder on the low voltage as opposed to the 14 volts.

I have zero ground loop noise from what I can tell.

All help is appreciated, thanks

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[BlurredVision 10+ year member]

I was once told that was because I didn't have enough power. I had that same problem. The ground noise is louder than your stereo

 

[grandam888 10+ year member]

I cannot hear any ground noise in my stereo what so ever, but I can try to move my highs over to the stereo and disable the amp I am using for my highs, I guess while I am at it check my connections on my power wires.

Is is possible my alternator is getting ready to go out? 12.4 volts idle is pretty bad in my opinion

 

[lionfamlee Premium Member]

What he is referring to by ground noise is outside noise (road/tire sound, other vehicles, etc) while you are driving.

 

[lionfamlee Premium Member]

Yes, that voltage is not good. It should be at 13.5 (lowest) and up. Make sure it's not your battery not holding a charge. Check the voltage of the alternator by using a DMM on the charge wire.

 

[grandam888 10+ year member]

LOL, I thought he meant I was hearing ground loop noise.

I will check the voltage on the alternator today, I have a spare so changing it out would be free.

As far as the road noise, I doubt it. I have had some small systems in the past and never had this issue. Oddly I have noticed the air conditioner is doing something similar, it blows colder and better at idle. I'm leaning towards alternator as these symptoms are not something I remember having when I installed the system over a year ago.

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

What vehicle?

 

[grandam888 10+ year member]

2000 Jeep Cherokee(not grand cherokee) electrical has 3/0 wire for big three.