connecting 2 amps

by tangofox
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here is my problem. i have a kenwood head unit (kdc-119), which has one set of rca's a front l/r speaker hook up and a rear l/r speaker hook. I have it in a 78 f250. i have a dual voice coil speaker in the dash hooked up to the front l/r of the head unit. i have a 5 1/4 round in each door hooked up to the rear l/r of the head unit. all that works fine. i have a memphis audio amp ( 16-prd 1000.1) which i have powering 2 10in subs. the subs are wired together so only two wires come out of the sub box. i have that sub hooked to a rockford fosgate punch amp ( 201s) which i am tring to power two 5x7s. the sound quality is very poor at best low. i have tried 3 sets of speakers and the same thing happens. i also tried hooking them up to the memphis amp ( yes I unhooked the subs) and still the same sound. i hooked the 5x7s to the head unit to test them and they sound great. why won't either amp work with my speakers? I have adjusted the gain have the 201s amp on high pass dont know what else to try help please.


Replies (11)
swez on 06/24/2007 00:33:54
Hum, am not tracking well on this one at all tango. (Very confused here) On the surface, this plan seems very out of whack with common practices we recommend to our readers. Too little detail and the information really jumps around. I cannot get a decent mental picture of this at all. (Help us out, so we can help you better OK?)

Can you break things down into short, logical paragraphs?

Example:

1. HU is a Kenwood KDC-119 CD player (A hyperlink to specs, features and would be most helpful) The install and user's manuals are most helpful. Most current models are easy to find. This one seems pretty old and a link to the Mfg's manuals are most helpful. (Am NOT going to waste time searching for a needle in a haystack)

2. Same thing with all the speakers (Make and model #'s are helpful, and a hypelink to them is even better) I/We have no idea what you have here, based on present info. (We cannot read minds and are not good at "Remote Viewing" either... more info please)

3. Found some info on your RF 201s and Memphis amp via a Google search. Helpful to a degree, but WOW... this Memphis amp is a monster power amp. (1000 watts RMS @ 1 ohm, 40A x 4 fuses) No stock electrical system can handle this amp well)

4. Subs used: Same thing with subs (Make and model #'s are helpful, and a hypelink to them is even better) I/We have no idea what you have here and how they are wired, based on present info.

5. We also have no info on the wiring scheme and wire gage used for your amps. In this case, w/o adequate wire gage feeder lines to each amp and good grounding, it's hard to tell if these amps are getting what they need to power the speakers. (Underpowered amps can sound terrible, even if they are good)

6. In this vintage truck, 5x7" and/or 6x8" factory speakers were the norm. There are some fine options available in 6x8" speaker mounts, but only fair options in 5x7" formats. Coaxial speaker are fine for the rear speaker locations. However, if you want quality sound in the front doors, 5 1/4" Comps are the way to go and amped as well. (That RF 201s would be very useful in the front door speakers)

7. If your Kenwood HU does not have enough RCA preout for outboard amping, we have a few options to fix that. A better solution might be a newer HU with features you like and more RCA preouts. (No, you don't have to spend big money here either, but since this HU seems to be very old and has some definite limitations, consider a modest upgrade if funds permit) The RCA preout noted... is it sub only, rear/sub combo or other? (I have no clue & cannot get adequate details on this HU Model. Can you find them and provide a detailed link to this HU model?)

Finally, what is your personal goal for this system in general? It seems like the amps are suspect or cannot get enough power from the electrical system presently. What kind of budget are you willing to put oy to bring things into a workable configuration?

Swez

PS I want to steer you in a good direction. However, the info noted initially is missing a lot of key details. As I read the post several times, the more I read, the more confused I became and don't know what solutions would be appropriate w/o more details and in an organized manner. That's why I gave a format to follow. Yes, I am a whiz at pulling rabbits out of a hat and offering workable solutions, but you have to help too.)

In short, help us to help you OK?


tangofox on 06/25/2007 09:50:28
sorry swez, here is much less info. how do i hook up two pdx 10 " subs and the two 5x7 pioneer (ts-a6870r, 220w max 50 w nom 4 ohms). I have 4 awg to the memphis amp and 10 awg to the 201s amp. the subs are hooked to the memphis amp and work fine, the door and front speakers are hooked to the h/u and work fine. just cant get the 5x7 to work on either amp( they sound muffled) but i tested them with the h/u and they work great.


201S specs
Maximum Power Rating All Channels 600 Watts
Continuous Power Rating (RMS) -
4次 Load Per Channel 50 Watts x 2
2次 Load Per Channel 100 Watts x 2
4次 Load Bridged (Mono) 200 Watts x 1

head unit specs
Specifications
Specifications subject to change without notice.
FM tuner section
Frequency range (200 kHz space) ............87.9 MHz 每 107.9 MHz
Usable sensitivity (S/N = 30dB) ....................9.3dBf (0.8 米V/75 次)
Quieting Sensitivity (S/N = 50dB) ...............15.2dBf (1.6 米V/75 次)
Frequency response (㊣3 dB).................................30 Hz 每 15 kHz
Signal to Noise ratio (MONO)..............................................70 dB
Selectivity (㊣400 kHz).......................................................≡ 80 dB
Stereo separation (1 kHz) ....................................................40 dB
AM tuner section
Frequency range (10 kHz space) ...................530 kHz 每 1700 kHz
Usable sensitivity (S/N = 20dB) .............................28 dB米 (25 米V)
CD player section
Laser diode ....................................................GaAlAs (竹=780 nm)
Digital filter (D/A)......................................8 Times Over Sampling
D/A Converter .......................................................................1 Bit
Spindle speed...............................................500 每 200 rpm (CLV)
Wow & Flutter........................................Below Measurable Limit
Frequency response (㊣1 dB).................................10 Hz 每 20 kHz
Total harmonic distortion (1 kHz) ......................................0.01 %
Signal to Noise ratio (1 kHz) ................................................96 dB
Dynamic range ....................................................................93 dB
Channel separation..............................................................85 dB
Audio section
Maximum output power

KDC-119.................................45 W x 4
Full Bandwidth Power (at less than 1% THD) ................22 W x 4
Tone action
Bass : ...............................................................100 Hz ㊣10 dB
Middle : ..............................................................1 kHz ㊣10 dB
Treble : .............................................................10 kHz ㊣10 dB
Preout level / Load (during disc play)....................1800 mV/10 k次
Preout impedance............................................................≒ 600 次
General
Operating voltage (11 每 16V allowable) ..............................14.4 V
Current consumption.............................................................10



swez on 06/25/2007 12:51:22
Better info and thanks!

These pdx subs, are they Sony products by chance? I cannot find much detail or specs on this listing detail. Sony DSR PDX10 is a digital camera...???

This HU preout seems to be for rear channel and/or sub only applications. Some HU's have a menu select that tells the internal HPF/LPF filters where to allocate Full Range or low frequencies to the RCA preouts. Does yours have this menu feature?

Based on scant details so far, I would consider the following steps:

1. Use a 2 channel LOC, (Line Out Convertor) that converts HU speaker levels to RCA level to feed your RF 201s amp and front speakers

2. Run the rear speakers off the rear HU amps and see if that is enough

3. Ditch the DVC speaker up on the dash ****

4. If the bass engine works OK as is, leave well enough alone

*** If you really want to upgrade performance in the future, consider a newer HU that has internal amps and 3 RCA paired preouts. This gives much more system integration options and amp upgrades as well.

If you must keep this HU, we need an operations manual to figure out what this HU can and can't do. W/o this info, we are pretty much flying blind.

I think that this HU may be the reason your RF amp is not playing full range off the RCA preouts. It may be set for subs only and not pass Mid/Highs to the amp or speakers tapped on that preout. If the HU can be set to deliver full range signals from the RCA preout, then it would be usable by both amps mentioned. (Y-splitters)

One simply uses the amp based filters to feed the proper frequencies to full range speakers, (201S) or sub amp. (Memphis 1000.1D)

Comments?
Swez


tangofox on 06/25/2007 13:31:53
i have the manual for the head unit but cant link it here, email me and i will attach it in my reply. the subs are made by power bass. thanks for all your effort. tangofox29@aol.com


swez on 06/25/2007 22:54:40
Done deal... I shot you an e-mail and you can either link the .pdf file or copy the manual and send that way.

Swez

Bass_bass_10 on 06/26/2007 22:50:30
solved yet another problem swez, i should come visit you some day so you can help bring my system to life.. u got a shop or sumthin? :P i live in windsor.. right across the river from u lol like 10 min drive to detroit

swez on 06/27/2007 10:02:07
Not sure we've resolved this one just yet as it has several options to be considered first. The HU seems to be an older one with some limitations. Am waiting for Tango's response to the options list I gave him by e-mail.

Bb-10, at the moment, my garage/shop is in overflow mode and no real space to work on things of any real magnitude right now. If you're in Windsor, ON... that's about 30 miles as the crow flies, due west past Dearborn, MI. If we can get things in order by fall, it might be worth a trip if you need some help in that time frame.

Swez

tangofox on 06/30/2007 03:05:02
swez, dont be mad but the rockford amp was bad the whole time. i hooked a different one up and everything worked great. my sub box only has one pos and one neg lead coming out of the back, can i wire my pdx es10d's (2) (made by powerbass) at one ohm or must i do it at four ohms.

POWERBASE PBX EVOLUTION ES-10D SPECS:

DUAL 4 Ohm Voice Coil
Rubber Surround
Rugged Die Cast Aluminum Basket
Non-Pressed Kelvar Composite Spruce Pulp Paper Cone
Chrome CNC Machined One Piece Bumper Back Plate
Extended Pole Piece
High Temp Black Anodized Multi-Layered Dual Aluminum Voice Coil
70 Oz Magnet
Designed for Sealed or Ported Enclosures
Black Conex Linear Spider With High Current Woven Tinsel Leads
Freg. Response: 25 - 750 Hz
SPL Sens 1w/1m (dB) : 87.4
SPL (2.83V/1m: 93.2
Mounting Depth: 5.25"


thanks again,
tango



swez on 06/30/2007 08:59:45
Tango, am not upset and glad you isolated the problem to the RF amp. Good work on that one! SMILE

The POWERBASE PBX EVOLUTION ES-10D are rated at 400 watts RMS per sub. (Key detail not noted in the specs above)

The Memphis 16-prd-1000.1 is safe for 1 ohm loads and delivers 1000 watts RMS at full power to a 1 ohm load. You can wire all sub coils in parallel for a 1 ohm load with the subs mentioned and be good to go with a little care in gain settings for your amp.

If using ported encloure, knowing what the port tuning frequency is, use the subsonic filter to block out signals below port tuning frequency to protect your subs. If the subs are in sealed enclosures, the subsonic filter is not needed.

To set the amp gains properly on your Memphis amp, we use an AC volt meter to set the gain adjustment to the proper voltage the subs need for proper power range. For a 1 ohm load, the amp output voltage target is 28.2 volts AC with the subs connected.

For the proper steps in setting the amp gain of any amp used, refer to this video"

http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/gains_video.php

If we don't have dummy load resistors handy, (Most do not) we can still get a pretty accurate reading when using the subs as the load and test tones between 50-60 Hz. and the HU setup as noted in the video.

For full range speakers with crosovers, this method does not work very well due to the crossover circuits used. Here, a full range speaker of the same ohmic load as your installed speakers will do the job. (In most cases, it's a simple 4 ohm speaker that is used to set amp gains on your full range amp. (50 watts RMS @ 4 ohms equates to 14.1 volts AC) A common test tone used here, is 1000 Hz., or pink noise is even better. Just be sure to set your amp HPF to the proper range the speakers are able to handle. (5x7" speakers don't handle Midbass very well)

The initial HPF setting might be 150 Hz for the gain setting tests. After target voltage is set, one can adjust the HPF lower, (80-100 Hz.) and listen for cone noise at rated power. If the cones are popping, slapping or sound stressed, either decrease gain settings or raise HPF filter settings as needed for adequate power and a clean sounding speaker.

Got all that?
Swez COFFEE

PS What is there to be mad about? You are a newbie and we don't expect you to know everything. Just answer our questions to the best of your ability and we'll go from there. No biggie!

tangofox on 07/1/2007 18:29:05
i will set the gains on mon after i find the ported freq my box is that i made from the specs the tech support at powerbase gave me. if i run into problems i will let you know. thanks you have been a big help. I downloaded the 50 hz tone( i think) from the link you gave me above. dont laugh but i didnt hear anything, i shouldnt should i ? (windows media player played something for 30 sec but i didnt hear anything). so i burn a copy of that tone play it in my head unit and turn the gains up to the volt meter reads 28.2.

tango


swez on 07/1/2007 22:01:11
If you have tiny computer speakers, they won't deliver much sound at 50 Hz. (they cannot due to size)

Yes, a burned CD of that and other test tones can be very helpful when dialing in our gear. You may need to use the CD repeat function or burn several tracks of 30 sec tones here. It take a few minute to dial in your gains on the sub amp and 30 seconds may not be enough time unless it repeats for up to 2 minutes.

Wear hearing protection if your subs are close to where you will be working. This much SPL can be harmful to your hearing at close range for more than a few minutes w/o hearing protection.

Swez

PS I would guestimate your ports are tuned between 30-40 Hz. SQ subs are often tuned low. SPL subs are generally tuned a bit higher. Either way, when using ported systems, make sure to set the subsonic filter to enable mode. This blocks ultra-low harmonics and such, that can harm ported subs. (~30 Hz., is usually a good number here)



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