my bass starts actin up as i go over bumps and stufff.. it goes from loud to like a med. or low. sounding bass..so i was wondering if that was just because of my cheap rca's movin around or sumthin.. should i buy some high quality ones? and if someone could break down what exactly good rca's do as compared to cheap ones
Replies (6)
ShootuhMcBustaCap on 07/3/2007 18:39:40
That sounds like you still may be having ground problems, try grounding out to the diffferent spot, like the floor of the trunk.
High quality RCA's will always bump up some performance. I have Monster Cable interlink 3's, and some of the technology employed includes "time correction," "Twisted pair" and noise reduction. Also they have "turbine cut" plugs which stick like glue to the plugs. Believe me man these things are meaty as hell, and make a HUGE difference.
Time correction sends 3 different strands of copper, small for high's meduim sized fo mid's and a large low frequency wire through the cable to seperate the paths, and give them time correction, since all frequencies wavelenth's have proper size wire to travel through.
Then the twisted pair wraps the 2 channels closely together, so together they block out some noise. The Noise reduction feature consists od a wicked thick jacket for the cables, a wrap of tin to keep out even more noise, and fills the rest with cotton strands to block out even more noise.
Retail value on these was 80 dollars, I got 4 pairs for free from a freind who grabbed them from his store when they were gonna be discontinued.
Good RCA's in my opinion are the single most important part of any system. I once did an expeirment with my home theater rig with regular DVD player cables, Schosche Walmart cables, Tsunami entry level cables and the Interlink 3, and every step up in rca's being reconnected, was a difference in output, clarity, and overall quality. Plus, the Monsters hold on for dear life, just the tightness of that connection has to make a difference.
Good RCA are by no means cheap, but can make or break the performance of the amplifiers you install, due to the overall quality of the signal recieved by amps, and that less is lost through the length of the cable.
ShootuhMcBustaCap on 07/3/2007 20:32:32
Check out these Pear Audio ANJOU cables. Way expensive, but a great read of where the technogoly of audio cables is headed. They were ranked first out of 24 brands in a comparison review by an Italian internet A/V magazine
http://www.pearcable.com/sub_products_anjou.htm
swez on 07/3/2007 20:36:01
Me thinks you have a poor ground problem here. It could be RCA connects at the HU or amp(s) as well too. Tha amp ground used may not be up to snuff here as well.
1. Quality RCA's transfer HU audio signals to amps w/ minimal signal loss.
2. They are often wrapped in twisted pairs to block out "induced" noise from the vehicle electrical systems.
3. They have robust connectors and jackets that stand up to harsh weather and driving conditions common in most cars.
Tech Tip: If an amp is not properly grounded to the vehicle chassis, the ground will not provide an adequate return drain to the power source, (BAT/ALT) and search for other grounded sources as well. RCA's often provide some ground return drain assistance but are not designed to take heavy current loads. This can burn out your RCA's and HU damage too.
If the main ground is weak or inconsistant, (Like when a car is on a bumpy road) power losses to amp are often the problem and we hear drops in volume or the amp cuts out.
A quick test can tell you if your present amp ground is good or not. Just turn on the system and go back and tug on the grounding wire that connects to the body. If amp power changes, there's your problem.
The same test can be applied to your RCA's.... just wiggle them a bit and see if you get volume drops.
Swez
ShootuhMcBustaCap on 07/3/2007 20:41:47
Funny that it is mentioned though, my amp did a similar popping noise the other day, but I was driving up my parents 4X4 trail up to their house. I did those same tests, and everything seemed fine. Hasn't done it before or since though.
One of the inputs in my amp is loose, so volume drops somewhat, but all it takes is to touch the amp just about anywhere, and it's bumpin out fine again. Fortunately, it is slightly under my seat, which leaves the rca's and amp control knobs easlily accessable.
Bass_bass_10 on 07/4/2007 21:23:24
k thnx i'll try that experiment tomorrow :P and either way i am def. going to look into some nice rca's and grounding that sucker like theres no tomorrow
ShootuhMcBustaCap on 07/7/2007 12:23:57
Sweet, I like the "go forth and doe right" mentality!
A note on grounding, less cable=good. In terms of lenght I mean. Use the biggest meatiest cable you can fit to the amp, and do it up! I love a good ground. It's free performance. I use <6 inches for both my amps, not great for moving them around, but excellent connection and performance.
Remember, a Take No Prisoners approach can be great for improving your system. You spent good, probably hard earned money on your bass, now take time to go over all the little items in the checklist to make it sound not only better, but great. You have the mindset and good enough gear to make it happen, now you just gotta make it happen.
Replies (6)
ShootuhMcBustaCap on 07/3/2007 18:39:40
That sounds like you still may be having ground problems, try grounding out to the diffferent spot, like the floor of the trunk.
High quality RCA's will always bump up some performance. I have Monster Cable interlink 3's, and some of the technology employed includes "time correction," "Twisted pair" and noise reduction. Also they have "turbine cut" plugs which stick like glue to the plugs. Believe me man these things are meaty as hell, and make a HUGE difference.
Time correction sends 3 different strands of copper, small for high's meduim sized fo mid's and a large low frequency wire through the cable to seperate the paths, and give them time correction, since all frequencies wavelenth's have proper size wire to travel through.
Then the twisted pair wraps the 2 channels closely together, so together they block out some noise. The Noise reduction feature consists od a wicked thick jacket for the cables, a wrap of tin to keep out even more noise, and fills the rest with cotton strands to block out even more noise.
Retail value on these was 80 dollars, I got 4 pairs for free from a freind who grabbed them from his store when they were gonna be discontinued.
Good RCA's in my opinion are the single most important part of any system. I once did an expeirment with my home theater rig with regular DVD player cables, Schosche Walmart cables, Tsunami entry level cables and the Interlink 3, and every step up in rca's being reconnected, was a difference in output, clarity, and overall quality. Plus, the Monsters hold on for dear life, just the tightness of that connection has to make a difference.
Good RCA are by no means cheap, but can make or break the performance of the amplifiers you install, due to the overall quality of the signal recieved by amps, and that less is lost through the length of the cable.
ShootuhMcBustaCap on 07/3/2007 20:32:32
Check out these Pear Audio ANJOU cables. Way expensive, but a great read of where the technogoly of audio cables is headed. They were ranked first out of 24 brands in a comparison review by an Italian internet A/V magazine
http://www.pearcable.com/sub_products_anjou.htm
swez on 07/3/2007 20:36:01
Me thinks you have a poor ground problem here. It could be RCA connects at the HU or amp(s) as well too. Tha amp ground used may not be up to snuff here as well.
1. Quality RCA's transfer HU audio signals to amps w/ minimal signal loss.
2. They are often wrapped in twisted pairs to block out "induced" noise from the vehicle electrical systems.
3. They have robust connectors and jackets that stand up to harsh weather and driving conditions common in most cars.
Tech Tip: If an amp is not properly grounded to the vehicle chassis, the ground will not provide an adequate return drain to the power source, (BAT/ALT) and search for other grounded sources as well. RCA's often provide some ground return drain assistance but are not designed to take heavy current loads. This can burn out your RCA's and HU damage too.
If the main ground is weak or inconsistant, (Like when a car is on a bumpy road) power losses to amp are often the problem and we hear drops in volume or the amp cuts out.
A quick test can tell you if your present amp ground is good or not. Just turn on the system and go back and tug on the grounding wire that connects to the body. If amp power changes, there's your problem.
The same test can be applied to your RCA's.... just wiggle them a bit and see if you get volume drops.
Swez
ShootuhMcBustaCap on 07/3/2007 20:41:47
Funny that it is mentioned though, my amp did a similar popping noise the other day, but I was driving up my parents 4X4 trail up to their house. I did those same tests, and everything seemed fine. Hasn't done it before or since though.
One of the inputs in my amp is loose, so volume drops somewhat, but all it takes is to touch the amp just about anywhere, and it's bumpin out fine again. Fortunately, it is slightly under my seat, which leaves the rca's and amp control knobs easlily accessable.
Bass_bass_10 on 07/4/2007 21:23:24
k thnx i'll try that experiment tomorrow :P and either way i am def. going to look into some nice rca's and grounding that sucker like theres no tomorrow
ShootuhMcBustaCap on 07/7/2007 12:23:57
Sweet, I like the "go forth and doe right" mentality!
A note on grounding, less cable=good. In terms of lenght I mean. Use the biggest meatiest cable you can fit to the amp, and do it up! I love a good ground. It's free performance. I use <6 inches for both my amps, not great for moving them around, but excellent connection and performance.
Remember, a Take No Prisoners approach can be great for improving your system. You spent good, probably hard earned money on your bass, now take time to go over all the little items in the checklist to make it sound not only better, but great. You have the mindset and good enough gear to make it happen, now you just gotta make it happen.
Copyright ClubKnowledge 2009 * All Rights Reserved
