Need a bit of help with installation

[Josh2k44]

Hey guys, just joined recently.

I have installed a Pioneer GM-A6604 760w 4 channel amp into a BMW E36 coupe. I wanted no physical modifications done so I have Alpine Type R 5.25" coaxial 2-way for the front and 6x9" for the rear deck in 6x9 adapters, running no sub for the time being. I have an old JVC G646 head unit also.

The problem with setup mostly is the volume. All speakers tend to distort easily or it sounds as if they aren't getting enough power. The amp is grounded well to the chassis, the speaker wires and power/ground are separated. I've had guys at the shop play around with the gain and I've played around a lot with it myself, but they never sound full or sound like they have much depth. The sound is very centered. I've also made sure 100% the phase is right on all the speaker wire.

I've had the amp replaced with a new one. I don't know much about car audio, but I have the 2 front speakers running on channel a, and the two rear on channel b, with 4 RCA cables running from the amp to the head unit.

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[fly_marlin]

I don't understand what you mean by channels a and b. You have a 4ch amp and 4 speakers - you just run 1 speaker to each channel. Can you elaborate further as to what you mean?

 

[michaels214]

I think he just means the front outputs and rear outputs - 4 channels separated in 2 groups, and used generic terms "a and b". But what do I know...im just hanging around waiting for help LOL.

 

[Josh2k44]

I don't understand what you mean by channels a and b. You have a 4ch amp and 4 speakers - you just run 1 speaker to each channel. Can you elaborate further as to what you mean?

Yep 4 speakers running to a 4 channel amp. 1 speaker for each channel.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

Did you just throw the speakers in without doing any sealing of the doors?Dynamat,ect? What are your settings on HU, and amp?Those coax dont take alot of power,not sure the model # on 6x9s. Did you build any baffles around the 6x9s even?Or are they Free air in trunk spacing.More info

 

[Josh2k44]

Did you just throw the speakers in without doing any sealing of the doors?Dynamat,ect? What are your settings on HU, and amp?Those coax dont take alot of power,not sure the model # on 6x9s. Did you build any baffles around the 6x9s even?Or are they Free air in trunk spacing.More info

Doors are sealed with Dynamat, yep. Settings on head unit are +2 bass (more then this and they distort hard), +1 middle, +2 treb. Amp frequency 60hz, low/high pass off, gain 2.5v each channel. Kicker CS series 6x9's. The 6x9's free air in the trunk spacing. This is how the BMW speakers in it were originally and they sounded good.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

Not the best amp to have, as I see that you have only two options for either LPF or HPF,and Off(assuming that would be Full position)Id place both there/OFF, Bass Boost 0,and set gains from there and tune it in with HU settings and gain adjustments.

 

[Josh2k44]

Not the best amp to have, as I see that you have only two options for either LPF or HPF,and Off(assuming that would be Full position)Id place both there/OFF, Bass Boost 0,and set gains from there and tune it in with HU settings and gain adjustments.

The speakers aren't as clear/loud as I would have imagined connected to the amp

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

Doors are sealed with Dynamat, yep. Settings on head unit are +2 bass (more then this and they distort hard), +1 middle, +2 treb. Amp frequency 60hz, low/high pass off, gain 2.5v each channel. Kicker CS series 6x9's. The 6x9's free air in the trunk spacing. This is how the BMW speakers in it were originally and they sounded good.

Your 5.25 are 70htz-29khtz..you should be set higher than 60 htz...more like 80 and up on those..You are not going to get much of any BASS response out of those speakers..More of Mid to Highs range per specs.Kicker CS,or KS series 6x9s?You should get a little bass response out of them, but dont expect them to shake the mirrors but just more of a bump unless sealed off from the trunk space rather than free aired.Stock speakers may have been 2 ohm as well.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

you are going to have to make adjustments on your HU as well as fine tune without Clipping/distorting at max volume on HU and set gains properly, or those speakers are going to be ruined if they arent already from distortion/high levels volumes, clipping..Read on how to set gains on here.I cant tell you how to fine tune, as i am not present

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

The speakers aren't as clear/loud as I would have imagined connected to the amp

That amps specs state 60 rms @4 ohms x 4..Yet the TDH is 0.05% which is not as clean as the old zeds I run that are mainly @0.01% TDH..And that amp is rated @60 rms x4 at 4 ohms and most likely @14.4 volts, and Im sure you are not at 14.4v constant,and I would expect that the amp is only shelling out approx 60% at best..Really not alot of power for the 5.25 alone at the rms range.Let alone the 6x9s.Ive been dealing with amps for a very long time,and can say that the last Pioneer amp that I know of that was actually well made was back in the 90s/early.- mid.Id get another quality made amp..Like an MQ quart, or even Power Bass would be much better than the amp you have atm.100x4 min

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-MB-QUART-ONYX-OA600-4-600W-4-CHANNEL-CLASS-SQ-AMP-CAR-AUDIO-AMPLIFIER-/271835138354?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f4aa30932

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

New PowerBass XAX 4160FD 640 Watt Class D 4 Channel Car Audio Mini Amplifier Amp 823871003976 | eBay

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

PPI,amps are great,American Bass,JBL,several others..Just need to find a budget and find a good quality amp for your budget.I think you need a better quality amp,and you will be happier than what you got going on at the moment

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

Pioneer GM H44 4 Channel Amplifier Works Great | eBay