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JBL amp install didnt go as planned...after Alpine amp would work

Sopher

Sopher

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JBL amp install didnt go as planned...after Alpine amp would'nt work

I couldn't get my Alpine KTP 445 to work... maybe a too low of a voltage from the radio (needs 2v )
So I I got a JBL MS-A1004 4ch 400w amp. Wired it all up with 8gauge power and 16guage wires from the speakers. The sound was horrible! Not sure why... feedback, groundloop isolator was probably needed.

So what to do?
 
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CRAPPY SOUNDING STEREO

Sopher, you're question " What to do ".......Buy the $ 125 stereo like I told in the first place.......:shemademe_smilie:.......:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:.....mike......:agree:
 
noise filter

you might want to try a GOOD noise filter. my system sounded bad, first time start up. dwg said use better rca cables, and a good noise filter. show nuff, that cured it, sounds good.:yikes:
 
Is it just poor sound coming from the amp or is it not turning on ? Voltage from your source unit will play a part in the sound quality and clarity of the sound coming from the unit but no offense unless your building a SQ vehicle or anyhting like that your output voltage form the source really doesnt matter. IS there a whine that goes up and down with the RPMS if thats the problem check your ground , then check where your RCA's are ran they could be to close to your distributor and your plug wires . We need more info than just it isnt working . Not working to me means I need to bust out the voltmeter and see wether you have 12v, ground and remote turn on . IF the sound quality is junk then theres other things you many need to get/do .
 
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I replaced the stock speakers about a year ago. Pol audio marine grade. see my posts via a search.
I replaced the stock speaker wires to just the fronts (for now) with 16guage monster cable (I got on sale from YDI electronics ; its really You Do it Electronics, but we call it You Blew It; your going their 'cause you blew somethin' up!)
I installed 8guage blue power wire with fuse from Red+ to the amp.
I installed 8guage silver ground wire from Gnd- to the amp.

The amp comes with wire to RCA adapters. I connected the fronts to RCA adpaters and then to amp; both left and right.

Now the AMP comes on even without the ignition key on; now hold on here... I tested this amp on my bench with a 13a 12v DC power supply. It did not turn on unless you either used the remote turn-on wire (most amps have this) or it also senses voltage in on the speaker level inputs to also turn on or off. So I was surprised as hell when the AMP was on when wired up to the bike battery. no remote sence wire and no speaker inputs were conencted at that point in time. No explain that please!

anyway, with the two fronts connected I went to turn on the bike, and the radio (FM and AUX) sounded real bad. lots of distortion. no wine, but it sounded like a $2 radio. I removed the speaker inputs and speaker outputs and connected them back together and the sound was back to it original self.

Am I breaking new ground; hasn't anyone installed an AMP befor in a spyder?
Some help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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as for the amp turning on with the "volatage sense " Ill get to that later. As for it sounding like crap at a normal listening volume it sounds like crap ? Did you try and tune it a little ?WIth the speakers I will assume that they are all 4 ohm which can effect the sound by not putting the correct laod on the amp thus not producing the "rated" power " and that can also make them sound bad. Also did you wire the speakers incorrectly ? by that I mean reverse polarity ? you will notice a lack of bass with that and a lack of "decent sound". with 2 speakers hooked up reverse one speaker swap neagative and postive . ( another way to double check to make sure polarity is correct is to take a 9volt battery tap the speaker leads to the corresponding leads to the 9v battery if its correct your speaker cone will push up, if its not the cone will push down .). your install sound fairly straight forward but 18 years of installing mobile electronics I got a little used to that . Now for the amp turning on by it self with no voltage or anything like that did you have anything plugged into the RCA or high level inputs ? We will get ya all figured out no sweat my friend .
 
And I wouldnt sweat reverse polarity it happens to the best of us .. and even a auto maker used to do this for a sort of time delay and different speaker placement and that was Mercedes !!!!! Crazy first mercedes I did with this I thought I messed up .. try locating that when your a wet behind the ears installer FREAKING OUT ha .
 
I was thinking either reversed polarity on speaker wires or wires out of rt's radio may not be speaker level but signal but what you have described added 2 more elements, RCA adapter and amp. I thought you were using an amp that accepts speaker level input thou.

Anywho, may be you can isolate and eliminate each possibilities.

Check speaker wire's polarity couple of times.
Connect speakers directly to radio and see if it plays ok.
Test amp with another head unit or mp3 player
Connect directly to speaker level input without RCA adapter.
 
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speaker wires going from your H/U to a speaker defines and speaker level input or High level . Your RCA's are low level. Now I have also seen a DIY'ER install everything FLAWLESS and then come to find out that something internal in the actual RCA converter /Or a different style source for input be wired incorrectly from the factory ... Now trouble shoot that the RCA adapter was all messed up inside !!!! Could be BRP wires up their stereos like the Mercedes used to . try swapping One speaker + for the - and see what happens ... Assuming you are using 2 speakers to "test out " to make sure its not the amp or source unit or speakers, basically the products fault . Sorry if I am asking alot of questions but I am not and will never be the installer to just swap parts when something doesnt work right ... cause you will be right back asking the same questions later. I like to get to the real problem and fix it right the first timeso you can enjoy YEARS of what ever you have. :doorag:
 
UPDATE

I Got the JBL working and quite well. I'll create a new thread that other may want to follow.
 
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