so i just installed a new head unit in my 99 tl. i expected it to sound strange without the sub working, but it sound terrible. the speakers have ear blistering highs and any bass distorts. my pos/negs are not crossed. is this normal?

 

You didn't remove the Bose EQ did you.

 

i unplugged it

 

did i have to do anything else besides wire up the HU and unplug the EQ?

 

Well that was unexpected. Mine sounded great before I added my HRU.4 amp. With the EQ completely out of the mix of course.

Make sure the new head unit is FLAT.

 

hmmmmm. perhaps the head unit is damaged? i bought it used so i guess its possible. it cracks and pops randomly as well. it really sounds like the pos.negs are crossed but they aren't

 

Time to bench test. Test the head unit out of the vehicle, with known good speakers.

 

the stock speakers are 2ohm, if you're cranking it, expect it to cut out quite frequently. you need to change out the speakers or jus keep the volume lower.

i suggest keeping the oem bose sub hooked up through the tutorials on this forum, it'll lighten the load of pushing the bass through the oem door speakers...

 

yeah, i considered that. im glad i didn't screw anything back in yet.


soupy- so would you say its normal for it to sound okay at low volume...but cut out and sound bad at lets say...the loudest volume i could go with the stock head unit? i never had a problem cranking the stock unit all the way up....which isnt loud enough for me at all. the new headunit gets real hot if i keep it at a sound level equal to stock at its loudest.

 

yea

 

yea its normal, i got an alpine head-unit. i just set my frequency cutoff on my deck to 120hz so it only get the highs and not any low bass frequencies. sounds soo clear at all volumes but its only until i replace them with components. i also have a sub to take care of the bass the speakers aren't kicking out.

so if your head-unit has the same future as mine just set it to that or until the distortion stops.

 

Most aftermarket stereos aren't designed to push 2ohm loads. The radio won't be able to handle them for long at loud volume. I'd replace the speakers or find a good four channel amp but you'll still have to replace the speakers cause I doubt they'll handle any kind of power.

 

I must be raping my front stock speakers then. I have my Human Reign 4ch amp on them, Active along with a set of Dayton tweeters in the A-pillar. I have them crossed at 90hz, because they simply can't handle bass (you knew that.)

They get loud enough that's for sure.