Dual speakers in original location sound like crap!

[RShaips]

I bought a dual speaker to replace my original under the dash from LMC, and also a USA-1 stereo. I hooked up the stereo tonight and the front speakers sound like Sh$t ! I do not have rear speakers hooked up yet and I did not expect great sound from these but this is ridiculous ! I can't even turn them up loud enough to hardly hear them and they are total distortion. Anybody else have this problem? Also when I run the truck I have major engine whine coming thru, whats the best noise filter to buy ? Thanks

[Longhorn Man]

for the electrical noise, try a better ground on the head unit and any amp used. You have what's known as an electronicly dirty ground.

[shifty]

If the noise is around all the time, listen to Longhorn. If the noise goes away or subsides when you turn the base all the way down (if that's possible) go get what is often called sever names: "bass blocker", a "PAC filter", "capacitor", "caps".

There are noise filtering caps and there are power caps (capacitors). Be sure you get the right one. Any reputable stereo shop can tell you what the microfarad value of your caps will need to be. You need one for each speaker - just solder or butt connect it into the POSITIVE line (it's worthless on the ground line).

Basically, this will allow you to cut all bass frequencies out of the line without using a crossover. (a cap is like a manual crossover).

Just my 2¢. caps only cost a few cents.

[Green Machine]

If you could return it I would and try to get one that has dual voice coils. It is a single large 6x9 with 2 coils on the same speaker. Seems like a better idea to me.

[kwmech]

Yeah I know --tried the same thing. Plus it has problems fitting with factory AC. I ended up going with the kick panel speakers.

[RShaips]

If you could return it I would and try to get one that has dual voice coils. It is a single large 6x9 with 2 coils on the same speaker. Seems like a better idea to me.
Thats what I got ! I have the ground going to the bottom of the dash. Its not really a whine just a very bad static noise that goes up and down with the engine speed. Thanks for the help

[shifty]

Sounds like electrical noise caused by a bad ground or possibly a ground loop in your truck. What exactly is the stereo grounded to? Is there *ANYTHING* with power going to it that's near your speaker or the speaker line? Running speaker wires too close to a power wire can introduce interference and cause the symptoms you see. Usually, it's due to poor grounding, missing ground straps, crappy or old wiring to/from the battery, alternator (this includes bus blocks in the engine bay), poor grounding (including body/frame ground straps being missing) and creating ground loops in the car (google: "ground loop" alternator whine )

[Green Machine]

Ah Ha, you have the infamous audio tach problem right ? A whine that changes with engine speed ? You just need to put a filter/choke in the power wire that feeds the stereo, that will clear up most static caused by ignition too.

[neonlarry]

Yes, those speakers sound tinny. I have the CAS dual voice coil one and they aren't worth s**t. I'm going to see if I can fit a pair of good (infinity or BA) 4" in there, it will be difficult with the A\C. But that speaker has to go, even with a good pair of 6 x 9's in the doors it still ruins the sound.

[newin72]

sorry those suck for you, but on the bright side at least I and others know now so we won't waste our time or money too!

Thanks for the warning.

Probably should put a post on the review board!

[Willy Prost]

I mounted a pair of JBL coaxial 4X6 speakers on a piece of 3/8 plywood and mounted that where the original speaker was. I won't mistake them for subs but they sound pretty good.

[motocrosschump]

I bought some sony Xploid 6x9 and they sound awesome and were cheap.

[RShaips]

Hey Shifty, I did a complete frame off on this truck all wireing is good, but...I do not have any ground straps that I can remember putting back on. Where do they go ? One from the block to the frame I know..any others ?

[shifty]

Originally Posted by RShaips

Hey Shifty, I did a complete frame off on this truck all wireing is good, but...I do not have any ground straps that I can remember putting back on. Where do they go ? One from the block to the frame I know..any others ?

I'm not sure, I've seen a couple of posts in here talking about ground straps - I know there's one from cab to frame, one from battery to the block, maybe more, I don't see it in the FAQ forum.

[blazerparts]

Should be 4 body/frame grounds, i think

[shifty]

I had the number 4 stuck in my head too, blazerparts. I just can't figure where the other ones are. I thought there were definitely two visible in the engine bay area, I know there's one from the cab to frame, never really knew where the fourth would be.

[farside847]

I agree, even installed correctly they distort with high volume. I have one too, soon to be replaced with a custom box.

[RShaips]

Yeah it sucks! I did a search on Google for grounds and found where GMC Pauls said that there is one from the frame to inner fender, back of both valve covers to the cowl,frame to right front passenger cab mount and frame to rear cross sill on a wood bed. I don't know if I really need all of these but I know that I have lots of ststic in the radio so I may have to put them all on.

[Orange Truck]

Read all the comments that I sincerely appreciate. I bought that same dual speaker from LMC about 3 years ago, but never got around to mounting it or purchasing the radio. I did call them a few months back and ask who made the AM/FM radio that was offered. I had not hear of the manufacturer so I ruled it out as there is a Pioneer and Kenwood both available to fit the dash slot complete with logo of Chevrolet. May look my receipt and see if LMC will refund. Thanks for all the great comments.

[RShaips]

Well I think I have another problem causing my sound and distortion. I bought a set of 6x9 pioneer speakers and they sound like crap also. I have hooked up the frame to fender ground ,no difference. I think for some reason I am not getting good clean power to the radio, as soon as I get a chance I am going to run it straight to the battery to see if it helps. I triaed another stereo I had before I bought this one and it sounded the same. So I think it must be my power source or ? not the stereo. It has been a few years since I put in sound equipment but it just ain't that hard, somethings going on!

[shifty]

I can agree, it's the power source - or the place you're grounding the radio. First hook the positive wire to the battery. If it still makes noise, hook the ground to the battery.

Make sure your battery terminals are clean and making good contact also.

Try tapping from another source for power.

[69 Short Fleet]

You might want to check how much voltage you are getting at the head unit (wiring harness). Do you have any additional amps or an EQ hooked up? It sounds like a pretty weird problem. Doug

[farside847]

Are you testing it with a radio station? Could also be your antenna. I had to replace mine, it was full of water and rust even though it looked perfect from the outside.

[RShaips]

I thought of that, but I have a new antena. There are no amps or anything else just the stereo unit. I am going to hook it up directly to the battery when I get home, hopefully it will work correctly, then at least I will know somethings up with my voltage at the fuse box.

[shifty]

Just another thought: Hook up to an outside speaker also. I wonder if a power line or something underneath the dash might be causing the problem (interference caused by the speaker wire passing over a device with power.