I recently purchased and installed Audiobahn's top of the line 5x7 plate speakers in my 92' Towncar. The model number is ACX680P, and it came standard with 2 crossovers, one for each speaker (high-pass for tweeter, lowpass for 5" woofer"). I replaced all wiring going to the front speakers with 12 gauge wire, and all my power/ground connections are as good as one can make them (2 gauge wire from battery terminal to (1) 2 gauge to (3) 4 gauge distribution block, good mechanically solid 4 gauge ground connection, etc.). So I know my wiring is up to par, but my concern now is that my speakers are getting to much power. Audiobahn says that the ACX680P speakers need 110w RMS each (total power to + - on crossover), so I'm giving them all of that (I have a Audiobahn A240lT amp hookeup to them right now).
Everything should work great right? Wrong. There's an excessive amount of clipping no matter what gain/volume level is used, even though I'm using all the specified equipment and it's all hooked up right (I've checked polarity and all that multiple times). I know that it's clipping for a fact because there's actually 6 blue circular "clipping" lights on the Audiobahn amp that light up whenever clipping occurs, and whenever the volume is turned up the speakers distort like a b****h. I'm thinking that my next option is to get some in-line resistors or something to drop the power getting to my ACX680Ps. I was thinking they can probably only handle about 1/2 of what they're getting.
Let me know your opinion on this matter, and if anyone has any similar problems or experiences/advice with powering Audiobahn interior speakers.
Replies (3)
Swez on 08/17/2003 18:03:16
You are right.. Bahn rates their speaker as pairs in power handling. So, each plate can take 55 watts RMS well. I just learned of this recently too as I was reading the specs and tech notes on Bahn speakers and amps etc.
About the clipping on your amp, dial way back on your gain controls on the amp. Depending on your HU used, it supplies anywhere from 1.0-4.0 volts per channel to the RCA's. These clipping lights... are they a string of lights that go on as clipping gets heavier? (Ie: 1-2 short blinking lights is light clipping, 4 or more on continually = heavy clipping?)
Also, most HU's begin to clip at ~60% of full output. If a large amount of bass EQ is used in the HU, this will make the clipping start even sooner.
Read the FAQ on tweaking your sub for success in our FAQ section. This should help you eliminate most of these isues.
Swez
BigJMan on 08/17/2003 18:32:11
Thanks for the quick reply - I wish Audiobahn would learn how to spec their equipment properly, this is a real pain in the ass - I paid good money for an amp twice as powerful as I need - Thanks AGAIN. I should say that I think the equipment is actually good, if it's used in conjuction with what it's supposed to be used with, and installed properly. I'm pretty sure that If I turned sh*t up on my amp, I would probably literally explode my front speakers.
And guess what, my amp for my rear speakers (ACX693) is twice as big as it needs to be too. F*CK!
Swez on 08/18/2003 05:54:08
Hang in there Big J,
This is why this forum is here... to help people sort out these issues as they crop up or better still, avoid them completely up front.
The good side of having a larger amp, more non-clipped SPL signals to your speakers.
Also, I have doing a bit more research on Bahn products these days too as more people ask about them. They are a relative new comer to this game and have some bugs to work out in their technical support schemes off the web.
The problem is not so much that they do not supply the info, it's where to get the straight answers quickly w/o digging through piles of files and links.
But as far as product performance, they seem to have their act together. I have a pair of 6x8" plates in my inventory and after looking at the design, crossovers and general quality of this kit, I have to say... NOT BAD DAD. Just have no place to use them for now, or I would give a critique on same. Next vehicle maybe...
Swez
PS I understand your frustrations here... could happen to a seasoned Vet too, but all is not lost. Oh, we do run a PG site here and please... avoid the "colorful" language OK? TKS
I know... I know... get the urge to purge my pent up frustrations w/ some folks that just don't listen... but I am trying to be a gentleman too. Can taste the blood in my mouth as I bite my tongue too. GRIN
Everything should work great right? Wrong. There's an excessive amount of clipping no matter what gain/volume level is used, even though I'm using all the specified equipment and it's all hooked up right (I've checked polarity and all that multiple times). I know that it's clipping for a fact because there's actually 6 blue circular "clipping" lights on the Audiobahn amp that light up whenever clipping occurs, and whenever the volume is turned up the speakers distort like a b****h. I'm thinking that my next option is to get some in-line resistors or something to drop the power getting to my ACX680Ps. I was thinking they can probably only handle about 1/2 of what they're getting.
Let me know your opinion on this matter, and if anyone has any similar problems or experiences/advice with powering Audiobahn interior speakers.
Replies (3)
Swez on 08/17/2003 18:03:16
You are right.. Bahn rates their speaker as pairs in power handling. So, each plate can take 55 watts RMS well. I just learned of this recently too as I was reading the specs and tech notes on Bahn speakers and amps etc.
About the clipping on your amp, dial way back on your gain controls on the amp. Depending on your HU used, it supplies anywhere from 1.0-4.0 volts per channel to the RCA's. These clipping lights... are they a string of lights that go on as clipping gets heavier? (Ie: 1-2 short blinking lights is light clipping, 4 or more on continually = heavy clipping?)
Also, most HU's begin to clip at ~60% of full output. If a large amount of bass EQ is used in the HU, this will make the clipping start even sooner.
Read the FAQ on tweaking your sub for success in our FAQ section. This should help you eliminate most of these isues.
Swez
BigJMan on 08/17/2003 18:32:11
Thanks for the quick reply - I wish Audiobahn would learn how to spec their equipment properly, this is a real pain in the ass - I paid good money for an amp twice as powerful as I need - Thanks AGAIN. I should say that I think the equipment is actually good, if it's used in conjuction with what it's supposed to be used with, and installed properly. I'm pretty sure that If I turned sh*t up on my amp, I would probably literally explode my front speakers.
And guess what, my amp for my rear speakers (ACX693) is twice as big as it needs to be too. F*CK!
Swez on 08/18/2003 05:54:08
Hang in there Big J,
This is why this forum is here... to help people sort out these issues as they crop up or better still, avoid them completely up front.
The good side of having a larger amp, more non-clipped SPL signals to your speakers.
Also, I have doing a bit more research on Bahn products these days too as more people ask about them. They are a relative new comer to this game and have some bugs to work out in their technical support schemes off the web.
The problem is not so much that they do not supply the info, it's where to get the straight answers quickly w/o digging through piles of files and links.
But as far as product performance, they seem to have their act together. I have a pair of 6x8" plates in my inventory and after looking at the design, crossovers and general quality of this kit, I have to say... NOT BAD DAD. Just have no place to use them for now, or I would give a critique on same. Next vehicle maybe...
Swez
PS I understand your frustrations here... could happen to a seasoned Vet too, but all is not lost. Oh, we do run a PG site here and please... avoid the "colorful" language OK? TKS
I know... I know... get the urge to purge my pent up frustrations w/ some folks that just don't listen... but I am trying to be a gentleman too. Can taste the blood in my mouth as I bite my tongue too. GRIN
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