Just got some Sony 6 1/2" speakers installed, but there is some static when listening to radio stations...and it's not just one station. I'm still using the stock stereo in my 01 Maxima (non Bose), and I know this makes a difference, but should there be so much static from Sony speakers? Would replacing the tweeters help out?
Replies (11)
swez on 08/31/2005 10:55:18
If you replaced stock speakers that did not have tweeters, the static may have been there all along, but not heard until tweets were added. Tweeters are very efficient in most coaxial and Component speakers and they will reproduce noise that is often not heard in non-tweeter systems.
Also, does the static go away when you listen to the radio with the motor off? If it does, then you are picking up some engine induced noises as well. This is very difficult to overcome on any HU if stations you listen to are distant, low signal strength or reflections off buildings, mountains etc.
Noisey radio signals are the norm on AM stations and less a problem with strong FM signals. If you have a cassette or CD player in the HU, what happens when you use either of these?
Swez
donkazak on 08/31/2005 11:42:47
The car has tweeters which I did not replace yet...these are the ones I was thinking of working on next. I just installed the Sony's in the front and rear doors.
My AM stations actually sound the clearest, but the local FM stations pick up the static.
CDs sound pretty good. Occassionally, though, if the music is very soft in the beginnging of the song, you hear and "airy" sound.
swez on 08/31/2005 14:54:59
Just switching speakers (full range or midbass) should not have much to do with noise. As long as the speaker connections are tight and not grounding out on metal panels.
Since AM and CD's are good, FM is a bit noisy, you may have to clean the antenna terminals and grounds. If you have a powered antenna, make sure the mast goes up to full extension.
Which Sony speakers did you choose? (model #)
Swez
donkazak on 08/31/2005 15:11:41
I bought 4 Sony XS-V1630A speakers.
As far as cleaning the antenna, I'm not sure how to do this, because the antenna isn't even visible. How would I clean the grounds?
I was going to buy an aftermarket CD player and tweeters to see if this solves the problem. Do you think I should just have the speaker connections checked first?
swez on 08/31/2005 17:09:20
Hidden antenna? Hummmm, that may be a major part of the problem.
Not familiar with that car model antenna system. OK, did some research and it appears your car has a Diversity Antenna System. Probably hidden under the dash. This is a dual antenna system that switches from antenna A to antenna B in order to locate the best signals possible.
May I suggest you contact Crutchfield on this one. I would lean toward installing an outboard antenna for better reception with either stock or aftermarket HU's. You can go with a fender type mount or even a powered trunk mount version if you like.
There are replacement type OEM Diversity antenna systems out there as well. Some are low priced and some are very expensive. Seems like this is an integrated antenna system that can be used for UHF, VHF, (TV channels) FM, AM an even wireless devices.
You may wish to remove the HU and reposition the present antenna and see if you cannot get a better signal by repositioning this device. It will be connected to the HU.
Hey Pro installers, any inputs for this one?
Swez
ttocs on 09/1/2005 22:02:17
by cleaning the ant he meant to clean it behind the radio. There should be two plugs that look the same, one just a little smaller. If your antenna is bad reception will go quickly, leaving static. Try to jiggle the ant and the hrns on the deck to see if you can get it to do it again, and isolate it.
donkazak on 09/1/2005 22:06:43
thanks for the help so far guys.....is it hard to get to the antenna? I can't find any websites that tell you how to remove the stereo on a 2001 Maxima...any suggestions?
swez on 09/2/2005 00:06:18
I suspect this is an unusual problem, best looked at by someone who has adequate experience with that specific vehicle. Are there any quality shops in your area that have a few talented techs with experience with that car and antenna system?
A few calls to local shops may be helpful to get some details on what to do and how to do it. If the explanation seems beyond your abilities, then it would be wise to have a Pro diagnose and fix the problem.
Yes, you can go to the dealership as well. However, they tend to have very high labor rates and may be more than anxious to sell you an expensive option (gouging) that can probably be handled by a good tech in a local car stereo shop.
I wish I had more options to offer you, but this one (special antenna system) is out of my normal range of knowledge.
Swez
ttocs on 09/2/2005 08:40:31
how did you make the electrical connections. Another possablility is that they might not be insulated good enough. If you can send me a pic of yer dash I can probably help you get it off.
donkazak on 09/2/2005 08:50:35
I haven't touched the stock stereo since I bought the car recently. I thought the static was a result of the stock speakers being crappy, but even after I had the Sony's installed, the static was still there.
I'll try and snap a pic for you sometime this weekend. Thanks again for the help.
swez on 09/2/2005 17:29:43
The noise is probably coming from a noisy engine compartment and being picked up by the antenna or HU. The easiest thing to do initially, would be to clean the antenna lead in connector to radio with sandpaper, fine steel wool or a brass cleaning brush.
While you have the HU out, find the ground wire in the harness, (usually black) and ground it to a bare metal location at firewall or floor pan.
Also, you may note some wires (in radio harness) that have been worked on before. Look for taped wires, crimp connectors or soldering on OEM harness. Take a few pics if you see that. Chance are good, the previous owner may have installed an aftermarket HU and did not reinstall the OEM HU properly. Hense, you have noise problems.
Swez
Replies (11)
swez on 08/31/2005 10:55:18
If you replaced stock speakers that did not have tweeters, the static may have been there all along, but not heard until tweets were added. Tweeters are very efficient in most coaxial and Component speakers and they will reproduce noise that is often not heard in non-tweeter systems.
Also, does the static go away when you listen to the radio with the motor off? If it does, then you are picking up some engine induced noises as well. This is very difficult to overcome on any HU if stations you listen to are distant, low signal strength or reflections off buildings, mountains etc.
Noisey radio signals are the norm on AM stations and less a problem with strong FM signals. If you have a cassette or CD player in the HU, what happens when you use either of these?
Swez
donkazak on 08/31/2005 11:42:47
The car has tweeters which I did not replace yet...these are the ones I was thinking of working on next. I just installed the Sony's in the front and rear doors.
My AM stations actually sound the clearest, but the local FM stations pick up the static.
CDs sound pretty good. Occassionally, though, if the music is very soft in the beginnging of the song, you hear and "airy" sound.
swez on 08/31/2005 14:54:59
Just switching speakers (full range or midbass) should not have much to do with noise. As long as the speaker connections are tight and not grounding out on metal panels.
Since AM and CD's are good, FM is a bit noisy, you may have to clean the antenna terminals and grounds. If you have a powered antenna, make sure the mast goes up to full extension.
Which Sony speakers did you choose? (model #)
Swez
donkazak on 08/31/2005 15:11:41
I bought 4 Sony XS-V1630A speakers.
As far as cleaning the antenna, I'm not sure how to do this, because the antenna isn't even visible. How would I clean the grounds?
I was going to buy an aftermarket CD player and tweeters to see if this solves the problem. Do you think I should just have the speaker connections checked first?
swez on 08/31/2005 17:09:20
Hidden antenna? Hummmm, that may be a major part of the problem.
Not familiar with that car model antenna system. OK, did some research and it appears your car has a Diversity Antenna System. Probably hidden under the dash. This is a dual antenna system that switches from antenna A to antenna B in order to locate the best signals possible.
May I suggest you contact Crutchfield on this one. I would lean toward installing an outboard antenna for better reception with either stock or aftermarket HU's. You can go with a fender type mount or even a powered trunk mount version if you like.
There are replacement type OEM Diversity antenna systems out there as well. Some are low priced and some are very expensive. Seems like this is an integrated antenna system that can be used for UHF, VHF, (TV channels) FM, AM an even wireless devices.
You may wish to remove the HU and reposition the present antenna and see if you cannot get a better signal by repositioning this device. It will be connected to the HU.
Hey Pro installers, any inputs for this one?
Swez
ttocs on 09/1/2005 22:02:17
by cleaning the ant he meant to clean it behind the radio. There should be two plugs that look the same, one just a little smaller. If your antenna is bad reception will go quickly, leaving static. Try to jiggle the ant and the hrns on the deck to see if you can get it to do it again, and isolate it.
donkazak on 09/1/2005 22:06:43
thanks for the help so far guys.....is it hard to get to the antenna? I can't find any websites that tell you how to remove the stereo on a 2001 Maxima...any suggestions?
swez on 09/2/2005 00:06:18
I suspect this is an unusual problem, best looked at by someone who has adequate experience with that specific vehicle. Are there any quality shops in your area that have a few talented techs with experience with that car and antenna system?
A few calls to local shops may be helpful to get some details on what to do and how to do it. If the explanation seems beyond your abilities, then it would be wise to have a Pro diagnose and fix the problem.
Yes, you can go to the dealership as well. However, they tend to have very high labor rates and may be more than anxious to sell you an expensive option (gouging) that can probably be handled by a good tech in a local car stereo shop.
I wish I had more options to offer you, but this one (special antenna system) is out of my normal range of knowledge.
Swez
ttocs on 09/2/2005 08:40:31
how did you make the electrical connections. Another possablility is that they might not be insulated good enough. If you can send me a pic of yer dash I can probably help you get it off.
donkazak on 09/2/2005 08:50:35
I haven't touched the stock stereo since I bought the car recently. I thought the static was a result of the stock speakers being crappy, but even after I had the Sony's installed, the static was still there.
I'll try and snap a pic for you sometime this weekend. Thanks again for the help.
swez on 09/2/2005 17:29:43
The noise is probably coming from a noisy engine compartment and being picked up by the antenna or HU. The easiest thing to do initially, would be to clean the antenna lead in connector to radio with sandpaper, fine steel wool or a brass cleaning brush.
While you have the HU out, find the ground wire in the harness, (usually black) and ground it to a bare metal location at firewall or floor pan.
Also, you may note some wires (in radio harness) that have been worked on before. Look for taped wires, crimp connectors or soldering on OEM harness. Take a few pics if you see that. Chance are good, the previous owner may have installed an aftermarket HU and did not reinstall the OEM HU properly. Hense, you have noise problems.
Swez
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