Why do my speakers distort.

[atownmack 10+ year member]

In my ride I have a old audiobahn 4 channel that has been with me for about 2 years now, and a power acoustik BAMF 5500 My headunit is a Clarion cz702. Whenever the bass slams hard the highs and mids (powered by the 4 channel,) start to crackle and distort at high volumes. What could be the cause of this? They both share 0 gauge power wire from the battery and 0 gauge ground wire, and then are split into 4 gauge at the amp. Also I have done my "big 3." What could be causing this?

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[1stgen]

What do you have the high pass filter set at for your speakers

 

[CrossoverOre 10+ year member]

That is caused from voltage drop. The sub amp is basically hoarding all the power and the 4ch is suffering from it. upgrade battery or add second or h.o. alt. Band aid fix is a cap. I know everyone will want to chastise me for that but in this situation it will help with the 4ch output from turning to mud, its also the least expensive option.

 

[Side Show 10+ year member]

^this is correct, but get a second batt

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

the distortion can be from a lack of proper high pass filter settings on the speaker amp (set crossovers properly), voltage drop caused by the sub amp (use a volt meter to verify), or the subs can pressurize the cabin and work against the speakers (i.e. rear deck).

 

[1stgen]

Try listening to your normal level with the rcas unplugged from sub amp.

 

[Side Show 10+ year member]

set gains correctly

 

[d77543020 10+ year member]

All the above

 

[michaellane 5,000+ posts]

voltage drop mannn took a newbish member to call it out. get a second batt

 

[atownmack 10+ year member]

That is caused from voltage drop. The sub amp is basically hoarding all the power and the 4ch is suffering from it. upgrade battery or add second or h.o. alt. Band aid fix is a cap. I know everyone will want to chastise me for that but in this situation it will help with the 4ch output from turning to mud, its also the least expensive option.

I think this is the issue as well. I recently purchased a HO Alternator from Powermaxx (Ebay) This thing is a dud and does not do what it says it will. Do you think a battery will be effective in stopping voltage drop with a stock alternator? I have an optima Yellow top, but maybe replacing it with a xs or kinetik under the hood?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

I think this is the issue as well. I recently purchased a HO Alternator from Powermaxx (Ebay) This thing is a dud and does not do what it says it will. Do you think a battery will be effective in stopping voltage drop with a stock alternator? I have an optima Yellow top, but maybe replacing it with a xs or kinetik under the hood?

just add a giant AGM to your trunk, get it from sears, sam's club or even advanced auto or autozone duracells. They are actually hella beefy and waay cheaper then those brand named ones.

 

[CrossoverOre 10+ year member]

voltage drop mannn took a newbish member to call it out. get a second batt

i might be a newbish member but not newbish installer.

 

[Mass Car Audio 10+ year member]

set gains correctly

most likely the problem

 

[michaellane 5,000+ posts]

i might be a newbish member but not newbish installer.

good to know

 

[atownmack 10+ year member]

just add a giant AGM to your trunk, get it from sears, sam's club or even advanced auto or autozone duracells. They are actually hella beefy and waay cheaper then those brand named ones.

Well I asked about getting just one battery and selling the yellow top because I use my trunk, and do not want something else taking up more space in my trunk. (Plus batteries are an eye sore!) I'm very new to running batteries and need some recommendations of batteries that will work for my application. If two batteries are needed, or if a single giant battery becomes expensive, I'll just sell my Bamf 5500 and my Memphis Mojo's and go back to Alpine Type r's or Sundown SA's with a Hifonics 1200.1