Subwoofer Distortion at Low Volume and Minimum Amp Gain

[haysuess]

I just finished hooking up my stuff and everything seems fine, except when I turn my stereo volume up over about 40%, the subwoofer distorts badly.

I have:

Boss R1100M Amp: R1100M | Boss Audio Systems

Boss Boss D10F PHANTOM Subwoofer: Amazon.com: Boss D10F PHANTOM 10-Inch 4-Ohm Flat Subwoofer: Car Electronics

Not the best stuff I know, but should be more than what I want in my truck.

It's hooked up to a PAC unit to the stock head unit in my 2009 Silverado Amazon.com: PAC Amplifier Integration Interface for GM Vehicles: Car Electronics

Everything is hooked up properly using an 8AWG wiring kit, which is all this setup should take.

The settings on my amp are as follows:

• Bass Boost: 0dB (off)
  
• Low Pass Frequency: 12 o' clock
  
• Mode: Low Pass
  
• Level: Minimum
  
• Sensitivity: 2-8V
  
• Remove Subwoofer Level Control: Not Connected
  

I have a 40hz test tone playing, and am supposed to turn the stereo up to 75% and slowly increase the Level until I hear clipping, then back it off a bit.

The problem is that even with the Level at Minimum, I can only get up to about 40% on the stereo volume before clipping occurs.

If I switch the Sensitivity to 100mV-2V, I can only turn it up to about 10% on the stereo before clipping.

It seems as if I need MORE leeway on the sensitivity, but I can't turn it down any lower.

I've tried connecting the remote level control and turning it all the way up and down, changing it from low pass to full range, and the sensitivity change mentioned above.

Do I need to adjust the levels on the PAC unit or something?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

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[DFW40 10+ year member]

It sounds like something could be wrong with the PAC converter do you have a another amp to try or sub just to test. You could take a voltmeter and put it on AC mode and see what the amp is putting out voltage wise, I think it should be around 26 volts at full tilt into 4 ohms. You could play that test tone and see if the voltage is jumping around. You could also try moving the ground wire for the amp around to see what happens. It seems like the amp is getting too many volts on the input or not enough. Not sure it is a process of elimination. Try the other set or rca jacks coming out of the PAC converter to see what happens. Also do you have the fader on the factory radio set in the middle? Is the bass too high on the factory deck? You could also try grounding the PAC unit other than the factory ground location.

 

[haysuess]

After some research, I think I need to adjust the PAC unit outputs. They default at about 50% and some people are saying they had to turn them down to about 25%

Like you said, I think the amp is getting too many volts and I figured the PAC was plug and play but it probably needs adjustment. I'll open the dash tomorrow and try it out and report back.

 

[Beatin' 10+ year member]

you bought boss products. That's what you get.

 

[haysuess]

The problem was with the PAC Unit output levels. They were too high for any amp. I turned them all down 50% and now everything is perfect.

The manual for my PAC Unit is terrible and makes no mention about adjusting the output levels. It just assumes you know to do that apparently.

I know Boss products are bottom of the barrel, but I didn't want to spend more than $200. Wit the 125 or so RMS the Boss amp puts out, the sound is actually pretty good. When my new amp arrives, I'll be pushing 400w RMS and it should be great.

Thanks HAVINGFUN for contributing to the forum.

Thanks Beatin' for showing the world that you're an unhelpful ****. My issue had nothing to do with Boss products.

 

[accuab 10+ year member]

Thanks Beatin' for showing the world that you're an unhelpful ****. My issue had nothing to do with Boss products.

You will learn that no matter what product you buy, someone on here will knock you for it. As long as you have an understanding of the expectations of the lower end products and are happy with them, that's all that really matters. Glad to hear that you got everything going the right way.

 

[wickedwitt 10+ year member]

Seems as though you found the problem before I was able to help. GL in the future with your system.

Ignore morons that want to bash you merely for the brand of equipment you chose. Some people have a budget they cannot surpass, and besides install is significantly more important the brand.

 

[haysuess]

Yep, I know it's about as low end as I could get, but I've had $1,500+ systems before and knew what to expect. ***** just gotta be called out.

Thanks for the help //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Beatin' 10+ year member]

Ignore morons that want to bash you merely for the brand of equipment you chose.

OP had a PAC problem, alright, but numerous times people having problems are compounded by the junk brands they buy.

 

[haysuess]

You're just destroying your own credibility with comments like the original one you made. A knowledgeable (or even un-knowledgable person in my case) would realize that mine wasn't an issue with the brand of products, but with how they were set up.

 

[Beatin' 10+ year member]

You're just destroying your own credibility with comments like the original one you made. A knowledgeable (or even un-knowledgable person in my case) would realize that mine wasn't an issue with the brand of products, but with how they were set up.

who cares? congrats on your setup. Hope you enjoy it.

We always read about people having problems with junk brands so I always blame the product.