First install, some major issues

[jaw22]

I'm installing a new system in my 1996 Lexus ES300, and we've run into a couple issues. Its an Alpine IDA-x300 HU, JBL amp and a 12" kicker sub.

1. As soon as everything was connected, we noticed that the volume control for the speakers was messed up. The speakers are stock and connected to the car's factory amp, but when I turn the volume to 5 it sounds like it should when it's at 20. The speakers themselves cut out when they get to around 11-12. It would be bearable, but the subwoofer and amp seem to be at the level they should be. At level 5 there is very little bass, even though the speakers are blaring.

2. The iPod connection through the HU doesn't work. I plug it in and it says "device error." Its a 5th generation iPod video 80gb, I have no idea why it wouldn't work.

3. When we gave up for the day, we unplugged the amp and I drove home. The radio was on through the new HU and factory speakers. When I accelerated, i noticed a whistling sound. The harder the acceleration, the louder the whistle. I shut off the radio for the rest of the drive.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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[allout13 10+ year member]

can you turn down the gain on the factory amp? its possible that the preout voltage was much lower on the stock hu than the new one.

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

1. You will either need to bypass the factory amp and possibly replace the speakers or buy an interface for factory amp if they make one for your car.

2. You probably have to update your ipod via itunes.

3. You have a ground loop. Check grounds, possibly ground headunit to battery or amp ground. check routing of rcas and all connections.

 

[jaw22]

how would i go about turning down the gain?

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

you cannot it is not a possiblity with a factory amplifier....do what mokedaddy said

 

[skittlesRgood 10+ year member]

i was told those amps run differantly that any amp you would buy. i forget what its called. but if your amping the speaker wires from the HU then your amping 14v and your sub amp is amping 4v, or less, from your RCA. make sences now why your speakers are so loud?

if that noise was comming from the speakers hooked up to the factory amp it could be the same problem. too much amplification.

bypass that factory amp 1st thing.

 

[hrtbrk1 5,000+ posts]

whaT?!

 

[dman4486 5,000+ posts]

i was told those amps run differantly that any amp you would buy. i forget what its called. but if your amping the speaker wires from the HU then your amping 14v and your sub amp is amping 4v, or less, from your RCA. make sences now why your speakers are so loud?
if that noise was comming from the speakers hooked up to the factory amp it could be the same problem. too much amplification.

bypass that factory amp 1st thing.

whaT?!

x2

 

[SethPhillips 5,000+ posts]

can you turn down the gain on the factory amp? its possible that the preout voltage was much lower on the stock hu than the new one.

you cant do that to a factory amp..//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

it's more then likely a common ground factory amp system.

you are going to need to bypass the factory amp if you want good sound.. no doubt about it.

moke sure you ground the headunit to a good spot behind the headunit.

 

[skittlesRgood 10+ year member]

the HU is putting out higher voltage to the speaker outs than the rca rite? so if your running that higher voltage to an amp then your amping the high voltage. if say 4v rca turns to 14v after the amp then if the hu puts out 14v to its speaker wires then your running 14v to an amp and amping 14v. so i would bet at the other end of the amp your getting way higher than 14v. that means more power. thats why the volume is so high on those speakers and just rite on the subs that are using the rca outs.

is that any better? it makes sence to me lol.

 

[bass-aholic 10+ year member]

the HU is putting out higher voltage to the speaker outs than the rca rite? so if your running that higher voltage to an amp then your amping the high voltage. if say 4v rca turns to 14v after the amp then if the hu puts out 14v to its speaker wires then your running 14v to an amp and amping 14v. so i would bet at the other end of the amp your getting way higher than 14v. that means more power. thats why the volume is so high on those speakers and just rite on the subs that are using the rca outs.
is that any better? it makes sence to me lol.

 

[SethPhillips 5,000+ posts]

the HU is putting out higher voltage to the speaker outs than the rca rite? so if your running that higher voltage to an amp then your amping the high voltage. if say 4v rca turns to 14v after the amp then if the hu puts out 14v to its speaker wires then your running 14v to an amp and amping 14v. so i would bet at the other end of the amp your getting way higher than 14v. that means more power. thats why the volume is so high on those speakers and just rite on the subs that are using the rca outs.
is that any better? it makes sence to me lol.

what????

 

[bad_trip 10+ year member]

ooooooohhh shit. LAWLZ OMFG!

that was funny.

 

[skittlesRgood 10+ year member]

wow... i see im talking to the wrong people lol.

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

the HU is putting out higher voltage to the speaker outs than the rca rite? so if your running that higher voltage to an amp then your amping the high voltage. if say 4v rca turns to 14v after the amp then if the hu puts out 14v to its speaker wires then your running 14v to an amp and amping 14v. so i would bet at the other end of the amp your getting way higher than 14v. that means more power. thats why the volume is so high on those speakers and just rite on the subs that are using the rca outs.
is that any better? it makes sence to me lol.

what you are saying is essentially correct you are just over-complicating it....