Component Speakers Sound Like Crap?

[Knowmadic 10+ year member]

So I just got some Alpine SPR60C speakers the other day and installed them. Have them installed and running off the rear channel of a Kenwood Excelon X450 (100RMS they are rated for 110RMS) and with a KD X40 headunit. I have the RCAs split with a Y splitter to the 4 channel amp and the sub woofer on an independent RCA. Right now overall everything about this speaker sounds pathetic. The highs aren't very loud, stock speakers had more midbass then these and they are getting drowned out by some underpowered 6x9s? Whats going on here? I set the gains properly with a DMM and am experiencing popping in the front speakers (subtle quiet pops but semi often)...

Using KnuKoncept RCAs, Wires, etc..

Click to read more...

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

bad install ,no deadening material on your doors, out of phase could be any of these

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

How are they installed? Are the doors deadened? The y splitter may have some to do with it...

 

[Falcons 5,000+ posts]

lets see pics of the install.

 

[AxT4430 10+ year member]

check your high pass filter..

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

Pops are a bad sign. Your install job is probably no good, but popping points to different, bigger issues. Issues either in electrical or your signal chain.

 

[Knowmadic 10+ year member]

Double checked for phase on each of the speakers, those checked out. I have them mounted on a 1/2" MDF speaker bracket but no deadening on the doors due to most likely a new car soon so didn't want to invest and lose out. I'm thinking it might be the Y splitter as well or the RCA's, I've heard some negative thing with KnuKoncept RCA's. I'm trying to get a different headunit right now that has 6 channel so I can run an independent RCA for Front/Rear/Sub. I didn't have pops with the previous speakers I had before upgrading to these so I'm confused.

 

[murph 10+ year member]

Either the amp or the Head unit sounds to be at faulty with the signal.

 

[Knowmadic 10+ year member]

Either the amp or the Head unit sounds to be at faulty with the signal.

Any headunit recommendations? Looking at upgrading to the Alpine PDX F4 amp. Also need a suggestion for new RCA's.

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

I've been happy with audio technix RCAs so far. They cost more than knu but I think you get what you pay for

 

[Knowmadic 10+ year member]

I've been happy with audio technix RCAs so far. They cost more than knu but I think you get what you pay for

Didn't you write a review on Knu wires a little while ago? I remember reading it, did those turn out to be a bust?

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

Didn't you write a review on Knu wires a little while ago? I remember reading it, did those turn out to be a bust?

From an SQ perspective, yes, but the average listener would never pick up on it. They perform as well as a 8-dollar pair of RCAs should be expected to perform. I'll keep the pair on my sub channel, but I'm ditching the pair on my comps in favor of the AT.

 

[Knowmadic 10+ year member]

From an SQ perspective, yes, but the average listener would never pick up on it. They perform as well as a 8-dollar pair of RCAs should be expected to perform. I'll keep the pair on my sub channel, but I'm ditching the pair on my comps in favor of the AT.

So I take it you got the high quality AT ones ($50 or so for 4 channel)?

 

[Knowmadic 10+ year member]

Would it be more beneficial or would I even be able to have the RCA for the front speaker channel go directly to the amp while the rear channel and sub get to share an RCA and get split (One pair to 4 channel amp and other to the sub amp)?

 

[sjv13 10+ year member]

@Knowmadic; for headunit recommendation, you should definitely go for the Pioneer DEH-80prs. It is the best single din (other than the $1200 pioneer stage4) and is on sale for $260 on bestbuy.com ($90 off). If I had the money I would already have one. Most audio-feature loaded headunit you'll find. You can easily run active with it (basically what it's made to do).