audio situation still in the works

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 17, 2010 | 04:06 PM
  #1  
badteddy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: H-town
Exclamation audio situation still in the works

So, i bought my car used, and the previous owner blew out pretty much all of the speakers. i have replaced the 4 speakers with kenwoods and the factory sub. i have also added a diamond amp. i went to a cheap installer for the amp and hi-lo converters and i get feedback noises and engine whine. i turned down the gains in order to ease the engine whine. had it like this for a while.

next i read about sound processors and installed one myself thinking that this would restore some bass. i got the mtx req5. in order to install, i removed my hi-lo converters and tapped into those wires. it does boost some lower sound but its just not strong enough.

so time passed, i got another amp (kenwood 1000 watt) and 2x12 type E subs installed by bestbuy (one that i work at). so he says the cheap guy who previously installed it used crappy wires and did a piss poor job. he re-wired, and re-positioned my amps. made me a amp rack and made it look really clean. i have to admit the bass im getting is exactly what i want. a deep powerful sound that doesnt annoy. however now he after all his work i get a major whine. so he told me that he would install ground loop filters and a bass nob.

three weeks later, he finally gets time for me (customers get priority and not employees). he keeps insisting that its my sound processor that is giving the whining noise. and i told him that there was no whining noise before. but he says now that i have two amps that thats the reason why. i still dont believe him.

so this time he says he rewired my sound processor and added the bass nob. did not install the ground loop filters. and now there is less engine whine noise. but it is still there. i honestly do not know what to do now.

cliffs: replaced factory speakers myself. had cheap installer install amp and hi-lo converters, had engine whine, turned down gains. later got mtx req5 sound processor to replace hi-lo converters. later later, got an additional amp and 2x12 subs from best buy, he rewires everything. sounds great except now got major engine whine. later later again, he re-wires, less whine, and says that its my sound processor and i dont believe him. what now?
Reply
Old May 17, 2010 | 04:17 PM
  #2  
justnspace's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 86,293
Likes: 16,291
Engine noise/whine/feedback is due to a bad ground and or RCA's not being shielded/being too close to other wires/electrical components.

in the 08's you have a noise canceling mic that caused the feedback, but not so much in this case.

I would go back over the wiring. Also it wouldn't cause any harm to take out the sound processor to see if it's the culprit.
Reply
Old May 17, 2010 | 09:33 PM
  #3  
badteddy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: H-town
thanks for the advice. i will try that. i have an '06 btw
Reply
Old May 31, 2010 | 07:33 PM
  #4  
05TLbase's Avatar
Instructor
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 126
Likes: 4
Im not familiar with your sound processor but keep all your rca's as far away from any power wires as you can... re-ground everything that might help.

Does the noise get louder when you hit the gas or is it just constant static unless u turn the volume up high?
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2010 | 10:11 PM
  #5  
badteddy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: H-town
Originally Posted by 05TLbase
Im not familiar with your sound processor but keep all your rca's as far away from any power wires as you can... re-ground everything that might help.

Does the noise get louder when you hit the gas or is it just constant static unless u turn the volume up high?

it does get louder as i hit the gas. im now regretting my purchase from onlinecarstereo.com. they are horrible service as i've read from other reviewers. I will have to be w/o my sound processor for 4 to 8 weeks.
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2010 | 03:27 AM
  #6  
05TLbase's Avatar
Instructor
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 126
Likes: 4
Best advice I can give is rip everything apart... run the wires the right way... power on drivers side, rca's and speaker wire on passengers... dont go in the middle in the front to close to transmission (major source of noise) and if ur amps/processor are sharing a ground with any stock components, ground it by itself
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2010 | 09:49 AM
  #7  
badteddy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: H-town
thanks for the advice, i will surely re-wire it.
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2010 | 11:48 AM
  #8  
badteddy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: H-town
i also looked this up and maybe will try this as well http://www.g8board.com/forums/showpo...87&postcount=5
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2010 | 12:50 PM
  #9  
badteddy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: H-town
wait, so im confused now. was i supposed to install the sound processor before the factory amp or after? i have been reading around and some people install after factory amp?
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2010 | 01:02 PM
  #10  
princelybug's Avatar
LIST/RAMEN/WING MAHSTA 짱
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 22,453
Likes: 210
From: Orange, CA
After.
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2010 | 08:32 PM
  #11  
05TLbase's Avatar
Instructor
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 126
Likes: 4
after so you wont lose any functionality of the stock stereo like bluetooth voice commands and so on
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2010 | 09:22 PM
  #12  
King of Pain's Avatar
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 5
From: IE Baby
Originally Posted by 05TLbase
after so you wont lose any functionality of the stock stereo like bluetooth voice commands and so on
Let me help.

All functionality is in the Head Unit. If you do before you need a line driver to boast the signal. If you go after you need a Line out converter to drop the signal.

Normally you run you power line on the driver side and speaker/RCAs on the passenger side. This is due to cost. Noise from crossing power and audio cables is a myth.

You can run you RCAs and speaker wire down the middle too since the transmission resides in the engine compartment not the middle of the car.

I am not familar with you processor but usually this noise happens from:

1. You do not have something (maybe your processor) ground properly
2. You have an exposed wire somewhere.
3. Your ground point it not good enough
4. Bad component
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2010 | 10:28 PM
  #13  
badteddy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: H-town
wow... im retarded. so now i gotta re-wire the processor. line driver as in line output converters?
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2010 | 10:18 AM
  #14  
King of Pain's Avatar
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 5
From: IE Baby
A line driver and a line output converter are two different devices.

A line driver will boast the signal coming from your head unit to something that is acceptable to your aftermarket amps.

Head unit----->Line Driver----->Aftermarket Amps

A line output converter (LOC) will reduce a signal coming from your stock amp to something that is acceptable to your aftermarket amps

Head unit--->Stock Amp--->Line output converter---> Aftermarket amps

I strongly suggest you take your car to a professional audio shop and avoid any more headaches. I have found that the TL, with the properly install equipment, will be able to output more than enough bass without additional processors such as the MTX.
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2010 | 10:11 PM
  #15  
05TLbase's Avatar
Instructor
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 126
Likes: 4
Noise from power cables is def Not a myth... shielded RCAs might minimize this but Id rather be safe than sorry. (true with whole transmission thing too)

I thought I seen the HFL going into the stock amp figured it controlled all that thanks for correcting me king
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2010 | 10:43 PM
  #16  
King of Pain's Avatar
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 5
From: IE Baby
No worrys 05tlbase,

I just redid my wiring in my trunk. Switching from passive crossovers to active crossovers and a DSP unit. My power comes down the driver side. My RCAs go down the middle and the speakers wires come down the passenger. My power cable, ground, speaker cables and RCAs all come togther in the trunk. Zip tied everything together. No noise from the passive setup. switched to the active crossover/DSP and now i get a little noise. Trying to get it fixed before an MECA meet this weekend. I don't think I'll get it done in time. Still gotta tune the dumb thing and play with the crossover points
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2010 | 06:33 PM
  #17  
05TLbase's Avatar
Instructor
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 126
Likes: 4
the love/hate tuning relationship....

not to highjack or anything but I was wondering if someone else had the same problem I do...

I turn the bass up a tad and the enclosure for the 3rd brake light starts smaking the back window like crazy. I havent tried any fixes yet really 20% tint on the back itll still show if I stick a bunch of foam or something up there. Any ideas?
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2010 | 04:29 PM
  #18  
badteddy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: H-town
Originally Posted by King of Pain
I strongly suggest you take your car to a professional audio shop and avoid any more headaches. I have found that the TL, with the properly install equipment, will be able to output more than enough bass without additional processors such as the MTX.
because i took it to the "professionals" its why im in this situation in the first place. the first guy i took it to, put LOC's before the stock amp. the second guy was clueless but questioned it. but he still just worked off of their work.
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2010 | 04:30 PM
  #19  
badteddy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: H-town
Originally Posted by 05TLbase
the love/hate tuning relationship....

not to highjack or anything but I was wondering if someone else had the same problem I do...

I turn the bass up a tad and the enclosure for the 3rd brake light starts smaking the back window like crazy. I havent tried any fixes yet really 20% tint on the back itll still show if I stick a bunch of foam or something up there. Any ideas?
dont worry about hi-jacking. i should check on my brake light too. after i re-wire everything myself.
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2010 | 08:57 PM
  #20  
King of Pain's Avatar
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 5
From: IE Baby
Originally Posted by badteddy
because i took it to the "professionals" its why im in this situation in the first place. the first guy i took it to, put LOC's before the stock amp. the second guy was clueless but questioned it. but he still just worked off of their work.
Sorry, What I mean to say was reputable. Many hacks call themselves Professional that don't have a clue what they're doing.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2010 | 04:01 PM
  #21  
badteddy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: H-town
Originally Posted by King of Pain
Sorry, What I mean to say was reputable. Many hacks call themselves Professional that don't have a clue what they're doing.
indeed. many which are most of them. no one specifically specializing in my TL around here that i know of. it's ok. i am taking this all as a learning process.

king of pain is there a thread on your setup if i may ask?
nvm i found it.

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-audio-bluetooth-electronics-navigation-94/finished-my-audio-upgrade-finally-593417/

Last edited by badteddy; Jun 18, 2010 at 04:04 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2010 | 08:48 PM
  #22  
King of Pain's Avatar
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 5
From: IE Baby
The TL is hard to work on. There is so much audio/navi integration in this car. Plus dealing with the HFL and the 5.1 dvd audio just adds to the headaches. I have 5 years working on this car and I'm still learning. Or screwing it up and trying to fix it. I'm just a hack compared to some of the other TLs in this forum. JPTL05's TL comes to mind. He is the real master with his set-up.

I've changed some things around since then. but I haven't posted any pictures yet.
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2010 | 05:20 PM
  #23  
badteddy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: H-town
King of Pain, i really appreciate your input. i really can't wait to get back my sound processor *SIGH* then hook everything back up.
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2010 | 06:51 PM
  #24  
badteddy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: H-town
so guys, onlinecarstereo.com has finally decided to replace my unit. im going to re-install the sound processor, but should i re-install it back inside my car where it was last time or should i re-wire and install it in the trunk?


i had it installed underneath the passenger seat. I do live in texas so the car gets extremely hot inside. i just thought that my last unit may have malfunctioned due to the heat. i've did some research and the inside of a car becomes like a greenhouse and that would be bad for a sensitive electronic equipment like this sound processor. has anyone else run into a problem like this?
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2010 | 07:34 AM
  #25  
turbocivic94's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 437
Likes: 1
From: CT
King of Pain- where do you have your amp remote wire running?
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2010 | 07:48 PM
  #26  
badteddy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: H-town
so i got a replacement sound processor, and it still makes the noise. i am going to have to try to rip everything apart and try to check all the wires. i did notice however, some wires were just taped together, which totally pissed me off. i rewired them with wire connectors, and still very loud feedback noise. i also notice that when i turn on my headlights, a high pitch noise comes on as well. since i have two amps, i think they share power wire or something. i'll take pics of it later.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mada51589
3G TL Problems & Fixes
80
Jan 9, 2025 04:40 PM
Yumcha
Automotive News
9
Feb 25, 2020 09:57 AM
sockr1
Car Parts for Sale
22
Oct 1, 2015 01:31 AM
acurajj
Car Parts for Sale
5
Sep 19, 2015 03:47 PM
DiamondJoeQuimby
Car Parts for Sale
1
Sep 10, 2015 11:40 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:56 PM.