Ok, im having a problem getting my sub's to work the way i know they should as im fairly new to auto audio installation. The problem is my subs just dont hit hard at all.... sounds more like a soft humming even when the volumes up.
heres my set up,
Subs: Kicker 05dc104 ported enclosure
600w peak 300w rms
2 or 4 ohms
Sub-Amp: Sony XM-sd51x class D
1100 w max
250x1 rms into 4 ohms, 20hz - 300 hz @1.0% thd
500x1 rms into 2 ohms, 20hz - 300 hz @1.0% thd
And i also have an Boss 4 channel amp powering 4 pioneer 6x9's.
I was given the Sony amp so i wasnt sure if it would be adaquate enough power to make the subs hit hard enough, but was told by a few people that it should be.
Im thinking the problem may be the power to the amp..... instead of replacing the 50a fuse at the battery with a dist. block which has 2 50a fuses itself, i added the dist at the end of the 4 gauge in my trunk which divided it into 2 8 gauges powering each amp.
Will havinga total of 3 fuses cause a loss? could it be possible the 8 gauge isnt enough? or is it possible the amp just isnt enough for the subs?
Sorry if this sounds really amateur-ish....
But any help or opinions would be really appreciated!
Replies (6)
swez on 10/26/2005 13:16:23
The number of fuses used is not a problem so much as the wire gage that is used to feed the amps used. What you noted is the correct method of install. However, the fuse at the BAT is a bit small for the pair of amps mentioned. I would suggest an 80A fuse there.
#8 gage wires can handle 50A of current if the wire length doe not exceed 20 feet. Shorter wires (5-6 feet) can handle up to 60A off a larger gage feeder line and D-block. If all amps in the system are fused to 80A, a #4 gage wire is best. (which you have now... #4 wire kit)
If you use dual #8 wires off the D-block, fuse them at 50A per each as mentioned. No problems here. Just an added margine of safety is all.
That sub amp will deliver about 600 Wrms to a 2 ohm load. Your sub enclosure is rated at 4 ohms nominal. That means the amp will deliver 300 Wrms to them. That's a very good fit as the subs are rated for 150 Wrm/ea. This Sony amp will draw about 40A at noted power. Should be fine with a 50A fuse.
TbirdKid on 10/26/2005 14:51:32
Thanx Swez...
But could the 50a fuse at the battery (rather than an 80a) really be the cause of such a dramatic decrease in the subs performance? Although i am still a beginner and this my 1st install, Im almost sure those model subs are capable of more then what is being produced now (like i said, sounds more like a low humming rather than bass hitting)
ttocs on 10/26/2005 15:55:27
It would not limit the amp, it would only blow sooner then if you had a higher rating fuse in there. You could try upgrading the 8 awg going from the dist block to amp, as well as that amps ground.
Are you using the factory radio? Where did you get the signal at?
Another possability is that you have the subs wired out of phase. Try disconnecting one speaker and see if the sound increases, instead of decreases.
TbirdKid on 10/26/2005 16:22:22
No, its actually an aftermarket radio (JVC, either 45 or 50w x4). I have the remote wire from the sub-amp actually connected directly to the remote port on the other amp (where the remote wire from head unit is connected) rather than splicing the wire closer to the radio. Could this be the problem?
I doubt the subs are wired wrong (or atleast hope they arent), as i bought the entire enclosure pre-wired from circuit city.
swez on 10/26/2005 17:41:00
Your remote system as noted is fine. If both amps turn on, good to go.
About low sub volume, you have to adjust the amp gain to match the HU RCA voltage the HU can deliver. In most cases, that voltage is between 2-4 volts. Check your amp gain control on the Sony sub amp. It should be set initially at 4 (volts) and gradually move it down to 2. That should make a big difference in bass output. Read this:
http://www.clubknowledge.com/Car_Audio_FAQ/?t3
If that does not improve bass output dramatically, there's a problem with the install, the amp or your subs.
Swez
PS Do you have an multimeter voltmeter handy?
ttocs on 10/27/2005 04:45:45
try disconnecting an rca on the amp and see what happens....
heres my set up,
Subs: Kicker 05dc104 ported enclosure
600w peak 300w rms
2 or 4 ohms
Sub-Amp: Sony XM-sd51x class D
1100 w max
250x1 rms into 4 ohms, 20hz - 300 hz @1.0% thd
500x1 rms into 2 ohms, 20hz - 300 hz @1.0% thd
And i also have an Boss 4 channel amp powering 4 pioneer 6x9's.
I was given the Sony amp so i wasnt sure if it would be adaquate enough power to make the subs hit hard enough, but was told by a few people that it should be.
Im thinking the problem may be the power to the amp..... instead of replacing the 50a fuse at the battery with a dist. block which has 2 50a fuses itself, i added the dist at the end of the 4 gauge in my trunk which divided it into 2 8 gauges powering each amp.
Will havinga total of 3 fuses cause a loss? could it be possible the 8 gauge isnt enough? or is it possible the amp just isnt enough for the subs?
Sorry if this sounds really amateur-ish....
But any help or opinions would be really appreciated!
Replies (6)
swez on 10/26/2005 13:16:23
The number of fuses used is not a problem so much as the wire gage that is used to feed the amps used. What you noted is the correct method of install. However, the fuse at the BAT is a bit small for the pair of amps mentioned. I would suggest an 80A fuse there.
#8 gage wires can handle 50A of current if the wire length doe not exceed 20 feet. Shorter wires (5-6 feet) can handle up to 60A off a larger gage feeder line and D-block. If all amps in the system are fused to 80A, a #4 gage wire is best. (which you have now... #4 wire kit)
If you use dual #8 wires off the D-block, fuse them at 50A per each as mentioned. No problems here. Just an added margine of safety is all.
That sub amp will deliver about 600 Wrms to a 2 ohm load. Your sub enclosure is rated at 4 ohms nominal. That means the amp will deliver 300 Wrms to them. That's a very good fit as the subs are rated for 150 Wrm/ea. This Sony amp will draw about 40A at noted power. Should be fine with a 50A fuse.
TbirdKid on 10/26/2005 14:51:32
Thanx Swez...
But could the 50a fuse at the battery (rather than an 80a) really be the cause of such a dramatic decrease in the subs performance? Although i am still a beginner and this my 1st install, Im almost sure those model subs are capable of more then what is being produced now (like i said, sounds more like a low humming rather than bass hitting)
ttocs on 10/26/2005 15:55:27
It would not limit the amp, it would only blow sooner then if you had a higher rating fuse in there. You could try upgrading the 8 awg going from the dist block to amp, as well as that amps ground.
Are you using the factory radio? Where did you get the signal at?
Another possability is that you have the subs wired out of phase. Try disconnecting one speaker and see if the sound increases, instead of decreases.
TbirdKid on 10/26/2005 16:22:22
No, its actually an aftermarket radio (JVC, either 45 or 50w x4). I have the remote wire from the sub-amp actually connected directly to the remote port on the other amp (where the remote wire from head unit is connected) rather than splicing the wire closer to the radio. Could this be the problem?
I doubt the subs are wired wrong (or atleast hope they arent), as i bought the entire enclosure pre-wired from circuit city.
swez on 10/26/2005 17:41:00
Your remote system as noted is fine. If both amps turn on, good to go.
About low sub volume, you have to adjust the amp gain to match the HU RCA voltage the HU can deliver. In most cases, that voltage is between 2-4 volts. Check your amp gain control on the Sony sub amp. It should be set initially at 4 (volts) and gradually move it down to 2. That should make a big difference in bass output. Read this:
http://www.clubknowledge.com/Car_Audio_FAQ/?t3
If that does not improve bass output dramatically, there's a problem with the install, the amp or your subs.
Swez
PS Do you have an multimeter voltmeter handy?
ttocs on 10/27/2005 04:45:45
try disconnecting an rca on the amp and see what happens....
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