Need some help diagnosing..

[Shogen 325]

So I've had my setup for a bit now... I am currently powering my front stage with a Boston Acoustics GT2-125 ... Sounds great and strong... Only issue is that when I set the gain between the 8v and 4v setting (closer to the 4v setting) the speakers seem to emit a static/hiss noise when paused or during quiet segments past the volume of 30 which I'm almost always at ... I've pretty much noticed if the amplifier gain setting is at 8v it is perfect but very very low....

Not sure if this has anything to do with it but I have this tweeter set in the dash and this 6x9 set in the doors ... So the amplifier is currently seeing a 2 ohm load.... Should I ditch that setup and get a decent 2-way component set ? Is the amplifier an issue or is it my particular choice/setup causing this hiss? Should I disconnect the tweeters and see what happens as far as the hissing noise? Just looking for some direction here....

[edouble101 314]

This could be a hu issue assuming your amp is 2ohm stable and the install is correct.

Since this happens at level 30 or higher I would adjust the gain on the amplifier that level 28 on the hu is max. Is the noise gone?

If the problem is still there I would say it is the amp or ground loop. Speakers do not emmit noises on their own. Unless it was a mechanical noise which this isn't. So repacing the speakers will not remedy the issue.

[onebadmonte 235]

This could be a hu issue assuming your amp is 2ohm stable and the install is correct.

Since this happens at level 30 or higher I would adjust the gain on the amplifier that level 28 on the hu is max. Is the noise gone?

If the problem is still there I would say it is the amp or ground loop. Speakers do not emmit noises on their own. Unless it was a mechanical noise which this isn't. So repacing the speakers will not remedy the issue.

Well said. Only other area I'd look is the RCAs. Bad RCAs tend to make funny noises. Good luck, let us know what turns out to be the culprit.

[edouble101 314]

This could be a hu issue assuming your amp is 2ohm stable and the install is correct.

Since this happens at level 30 or higher I would adjust the gain on the amplifier that level 28 on the hu is max. Is the noise gone?

If the problem is still there I would say it is the amp or ground loop. Speakers do not emmit noises on their own. Unless it was a mechanical noise which this isn't. So repacing the speakers will not remedy the issue.

Well said. Only other area I'd look is the RCAs. Bad RCAs tend to make funny noises. Good luck, let us know what turns out to be the culprit.

If it was an RCA issue the noise would be present regardless of hu level or gain position.

[jcarter1885 995]

I wouldnt rule out speakers either, you could of been pushing them to their limits as well. If the noise doesnt go away check your speakers individually and make sure all are working properly. The noise may be from a tweeter thats almost blown from being abused, I been there before.

[Shogen 325]

This could be a hu issue assuming your amp is 2ohm stable and the install is correct.

Since this happens at level 30 or higher I would adjust the gain on the amplifier that level 28 on the hu is max. Is the noise gone?

If the problem is still there I would say it is the amp or ground loop. Speakers do not emmit noises on their own. Unless it was a mechanical noise which this isn't. So repacing the speakers will not remedy the issue.

Amplifier is 2 ohm stable (could the amplifier not be as good at 2 ohms)

Wiring for speakers is tight

Will look at gain setting

Ground loop? more specific? I'm not sure how or what to look for in this matter???

[///M5 2,833]

Saying your grounds aren't so hot. Start with the h/u ground as it is usually the culprit.

[Shogen 325]

I just recently grounded the RCAs .. Basically I did this as instructed by Lance to get rid of the whining I got after taking out my capacitor and adding a battery in the rear...

Should I do more? Where else can I ground to?? the cage holding the HU in?? or a random bolt in the dash??? Both???

I somewhat think I didn't notice this hissing soo much before I installed the tweeters... Could maybe the tweeters themselves be emitting this static?

[edouble101 314]

Since the drivers are not emitting audible mechanical distortion or attenuated sound during normal playback I think your drivers are fine. Often a bad ground or ground loop will be recognizable in higher frequencies.

Ground loops issues were common back in the day when equipment was inferior to todays equipment. Manufacturers still recommend grounding your hu at the battery. Ground loops exist when multiple grounding locations are used on equipment within the signal path. Like I said newer equipment are mostly immune to this problem.

Adjust your gains properly. Route your hu ground to the battery. Ultimitley all grounds should lead to the battery or at a point on the frame that is grounded to the battery.

Do you know if your RCA's have a drain wire? If so one end will have the drain soldered to it. This end should be connect to the signal source. With that copper wire grounded to the RCA connections on the hu having the RCA's connected properly could be more of a priority than if the hu wasn't wired that way.

If your drivers are passive with an outboard crossover you could be getting noise through your crossover depending on where the crossover is mounted.

You should have both batteries connected with + and - wires parallel with or without relay or solenoid depending on batteries used.

Lots of things to consider. Good luck!

[Shogen 325]

OK... gotta see if I can run ground from front battery to rear battery... I think I have enough wire.

[Notorious97200 339]

Adding a tweeter will not give you a final load of 2 Ohms, if the mid is a 4 Ohms speaker.

I was always told that tweeters are to "light" to change the load for the amplifier. But it could be wrong !

Maybe you should ground the h u to a better point on the frame, or on the battery (won't be easy !).

I'm sure you can find someone to fix your h u for a poor $20 !

good luck

[Shogen 325]

yea... I was looking at your other response... My tweeter reads 4ohms and so does my Alpine coaxial.... I'll see about the pico soldering...

[jcarter1885 995]

So correct me if Im wrong, you didnt have this problem until you put the tweeters in right? This can be heard only when your passed a certain volume on your radio right?

Take the tweeters off the amp and play the Alpine's by themselves at this normal listening volume and see if you still hear the hiss. If so then you have to solder your pico fuse in headunit. If not then your tweeters are hissing because of too much power or bad crossover settings, other wise your Alpine's would be hissing too since they have a high frequency driver on them as well.

Usually when I had a ground loop problem or alternator whine, it was either constant and could be heard at all volume levels or it got higher as you turned the volume knob. You could also just hook up an ipod to your amps rca's and use this as your source to see if hiss is still there. If hiss is still there then pico fuse is needed to be soldered or you need a better h/u ground. Just my .02

[Shogen 325]

lol jay.. Just did the phone method and tested with Alton...

So no his or sound at all from any speakers at any volume or gain setting ... sooooo this puts RCAs and HU into the circle.... correct???

[jcarter1885 995]

lol jay.. Just did the phone method and tested with Alton...

So no his or sound at all from any speakers at any volume or gain setting ... sooooo this puts RCAs and HU into the circle.... correct???

It definitely does play a role now, thought it could be a simple fix. The pico fuse is usually the #1 problem solver with the Pioneer units, more or better grounds can help as well. Check out this thread as well:

Noise Troubleshooting Guide

[Shogen 325]

will try running a new set of RCAs first when I have some time....

[Shogen 325]

lol jay.. Just did the phone method and tested with Alton...

So no his or sound at all from any speakers at any volume or gain setting ... sooooo this puts RCAs and HU into the circle.... correct???

It definitely does play a role now, thought it could be a simple fix. The pico fuse is usually the #1 problem solver with the Pioneer units, more or better grounds can help as well. Check out this thread as well:

Noise Troubleshooting Guide

I followed that guide with Lance for my "whine" that I had previously... grounded RCas and noise gone but noticed the hiss/static later on... might actually be the pico caca

[Jay-C76 333]

So correct me if Im wrong, you didnt have this problem until you put the tweeters in right? This can be heard only when your passed a certain volume on your radio right?

Take the tweeters off the amp and play the Alpine's by themselves at this normal listening volume and see if you still hear the hiss. If so then you have to solder your pico fuse in headunit. If not then your tweeters are hissing because of too much power or bad crossover settings, other wise your Alpine's would be hissing too since they have a high frequency driver on them as well.

Usually when I had a ground loop problem or alternator whine, it was either constant and could be heard at all volume levels or it got higher as you turned the volume knob. You could also just hook up an ipod to your amps rca's and use this as your source to see if hiss is still there. If hiss is still there then pico fuse is needed to be soldered or you need a better h/u ground. Just my .02

Nice!

Process of elimination will find your problem.

Like he said, unhook and hook up different pieces in configurations so that eventually you'll find what's causing the noise.

If it's still there, try different Xover and gain settings to try to find the cause.

I know it's a lot of work playing with it all, but if it's annoying as you say it is you'll find the issue and fix it for sure.

[jcarter1885 995]

will try running a new set of RCAs first when I have some time....

You really dont even have to run them if your limited on time, just take plug them in headunit then run the rca's over the seats and plug them into amp. This will see if rca wire is the problem or not, so you dont have to rip your car apart taking the old rca wires out if there not the problem.

[Jay-C76 333]

I've also had the rca jacks in amps break the solder on the board and cause bad connections too.

Gently wiggle them up, down, left, and right to check too. (if you don't want to disassemble the amp.

Most of the time I've ever corrected any engine whine was by finding good ground locations & not sure

if this is true but, I've been told by several mechanics here in my town,

that antenna grounds and spark plug wires can even cause the engine whine noise.

[Shogen 325]

will try running a new set of RCAs first when I have some time....

You really dont even have to run them if your limited on time, just take plug them in headunit then run the rca's over the seats and plug them into amp. This will see if rca wire is the problem or not, so you dont have to rip your car apart taking the old rca wires out if there not the problem.

that's what I meant... lol ...

I've also had the rca jacks in amps break the solder on the board and cause bad connections too.

Gently wiggle them up, down, left, and right to check too. (if you don't want to disassemble the amp.

Most of the time I've ever corrected any engine whine was by finding good ground locations & not sure

if this is true but, I've been told by several mechanics here in my town,

that antenna grounds and spark plug wires can even cause the engine whine noise.

will see about the connections being loose but they're inset into the amplifier with only enough room to plug the RCAs in ... but will try

Thank you fellas... very helpful