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alpine amp + speakers, still sounds like crap

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Old 07-29-2014, 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by oth
Make sure the switches on the amp are set correctly - filters should be off, input should be 2-channel,
and input signal should be speaker.
On the headunit, make sure balance, fader, bass and treble are all set to the centered/flat.
How far do you turn up the volume before it distorts?
In general, if the gains are set properly it's likely to be around 75% - that's a good estimate
of when the average headunit will begin audibly clipping, and the goal is to have the amp clip
around the same point to get maximum undistorted volume.
Finally, if it's not an adjustment issue, perhaps you have a mechanical issue such as the speaker
cone hitting the grill.

ok just checked everything:
filters are all off
input is set to 2-channel
and input signal is set to speaker

I usually listen to music at 30 on the factory unit, with the gain turned off or just up a hair rock songs sound good, but most rap songs distort at that volume which is a super pain to keep having to change it

and i dont think the speakers are hitting the grill or anyhting
Old 07-29-2014, 05:56 PM
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How are you inputting the head unit signal to the amp? Are you using a line level converter or does your amp have speaker level inputs?

Explain 'wired this to the stock head unit'

My guess is the output from your head unit is clipping so your amp is amplifying a clipped signal
Old 07-29-2014, 07:21 PM
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Originally Posted by jcianfrani
How are you inputting the head unit signal to the amp? Are you using a line level converter or does your amp have speaker level inputs?

Explain 'wired this to the stock head unit'

My guess is the output from your head unit is clipping so your amp is amplifying a clipped signal
all i did was cut the wires to the front speakers and wire the amp in-between the head unit and speakers, which was only 4 wires, pos/neg left and pos/neg right

then it just required power, ground and switched power
Old 07-30-2014, 02:22 AM
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@jcianfrani - the amp has a speaker level input as mentioned several times already in this thread.

banana, I'd suggest running things with the HU volume much lower and the amp gains much higher. As jcianfrani and oth corrrectly suggest, you want to send the least distorted signal from the HU to the amplifier, and that means a low volume setting on the HU.

Old 07-30-2014, 02:53 AM
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Originally Posted by lovegroova
@jcianfrani - the amp has a speaker level input as mentioned several times already in this thread.

banana, I'd suggest running things with the HU volume much lower and the amp gains much higher. As jcianfrani and oth corrrectly suggest, you want to send the least distorted signal from the HU to the amplifier, and that means a low volume setting on the HU.

Ok i will give that a try when i get home.....

Would getting an aftermarket HU fix this problem?
Old 07-30-2014, 04:13 AM
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Originally Posted by hand banana
Originally Posted by lovegroova' timestamp='1406715777' post='23265576
@jcianfrani - the amp has a speaker level input as mentioned several times already in this thread.

banana, I'd suggest running things with the HU volume much lower and the amp gains much higher. As jcianfrani and oth corrrectly suggest, you want to send the least distorted signal from the HU to the amplifier, and that means a low volume setting on the HU.
Ok i will give that a try when i get home.....

Would getting an aftermarket HU fix this problem?
More than likely, especially when accompanied by a proper amplifier!
Old 07-30-2014, 07:05 AM
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My bad, didnt see the amp had SL inputs. Max out your amp gains 1st, if not solved an after market head unit with rca outputs should do the trick. good luck!
Old 07-30-2014, 07:15 AM
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Any recommendations on a head unit, under $200 with bluetooth streaming?
Old 07-30-2014, 08:10 AM
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Cruthfield.com
Old 07-30-2014, 08:29 AM
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Originally Posted by jcianfrani
Cruthfield.com
Yeah i looked there already, i have it down to either pioneer or Kenwood

Was hoping to get some input here on what people like better since they both get good reviews


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