Speakers cutting out/distorting when bass hits.

[SundownSydrome 10+ year member]

Kenwood DDX470

Hifonics BRX640.4 > Infinity 6030cs (F) / Infinity 6829cf ®

Hifonics BRX1600.1D > 2x Sundown SA-10

KnuKonceptz KCA 1/0

640CCA/800CA battery, just replaced a couple of months ago.

Let me first start off by saying this just started occurring randomly, which makes this all the more frustrating to diagnose. My setup has not changed in 2 years, and has given me zero problems in the past.

Yesterday my speakers randomly decided to start cutting out/distorting whenever the bass would hit. Nothing changed at all between it working and not working. I was blasting it on a long drive as I always do and whenever the volume was higher and the bass would hit, the speakers would get all choppy.

Things I've learned:

There's no issue with the speakers themselves.

It only happens when there's a lot of bass.

The amps are not restarting or going into protect.

The crossovers are fine.

All connections are solid.

All fuses are good.

This happens with Bluetooth, CDs, etc.

I did get to testing my voltages, and I would like to start off with saying that I am aware that I am taxing my electrical system, save the lecture for another day.

The absolute lowest I saw my voltage dip was 11.8v at the amp, however the speaker issue would have even with voltages around 13v or so. To me this indicates that perhaps my amp or even headunit could have an issue.

Has anyone experienced anything similar?

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[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

So your running all that on stock electrical minus the battery?

How's the gains set on the amps?

 

[SundownSydrome 10+ year member]

So your running all that on stock electrical minus the battery?
How's the gains set on the amps?

Correct, just the slightly upgraded battery. The gains were set with a mini o-scope and haven't been touched for the 2 years.

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

So your running all that on stock electrical minus the battery?

How's the gains set on the amps?

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

omg my computer being slow and dumb.

Big 3 done or no?

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

Does it happen on low volume or high volume?

Your starving your electrical....you say save the lecture but people don't understand when adding audio to an existing vehicle the battery/alt and wires can only handle so much before straining it. I don't get why people add audio then completely ignore the electrical part....one of the most important aspects of car audio. You need power to make power.

 

[SundownSydrome 10+ year member]

Does it happen on low volume or high volume?
Your starving your electrical....you say save the lecture but people don't understand when adding audio to an existing vehicle the battery/alt and wires can only handle so much before straining it. I don't get why people add audio then completely ignore the electrical part....one of the most important aspects of car audio. You need power to make power.

I said save the lecture because this happened suddenly. There was no gradual degradation in quality. It worked, and then it didn't. The issue happens with good voltages as well. I'm looking for an explanation to that specifically.

I'm well aware I'm straining my system, as mentioned.

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

Could be alt going bad....but you didn't specify if this was happening on high or low volumes.

 

[SundownSydrome 10+ year member]

Replaced the amplifier and everything is fine now. 3 years out of that Hifonics!

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

Those HiFonics are junk anyhow. What amp did you end up getting?

 

[SundownSydrome 10+ year member]

The exact same amp, except the newer model. For only $99, I really can't complain, and they test great on the amp dynos, so I'm sold for now unless there's a better budget option.

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

The CAB...200 bucks.

 

[SundownSydrome 10+ year member]

I assume you're referring to the CAB-1600.1 which actually does look pretty nice. Granted, I need a 4 channel amplifier, but this might be useful in the future.