Speaker Interference

[mickydoo]

I've just started to update the audio in the Cerb.

Nice Alpine CD player with bluetooth etc, so a reasonably decent head unit, and a pair of Alpine 2-way speakers with separate tweeter units (mounted top of dash). All sounds pretty good, enough bass considering the doors won't take immense bass ;-)

I've yet to replace the rear 4" speakers, and the passenger side one has some engine interference. It isn't there with the engine off, but there is a gentle whine/crackle which can be heard easily at low volumes. The drivers side rear speaker is fine. I plan to replace them both, but knowing that it isn't a speaker problem makes me wonder where the interference is coming from. It's unlikely to be the earth is it not, as that would affect everything?

Help please! What can I do to test/check/replace?

[Tomej]

just check the terminals to that one speaker.

as it's fairly isolated I'd try both ends of that speaker cable first.

[mickydoo]

I'll have a look, but it's unlikely as it was there before and after replacing the head unit and spider cable.

My guess is either a power cable nearby or there's a bare strand hitting earth...now to find the fecker

[camel_landy]

Audio???

Speakers???

Nope.... Still not getting it?

M

[Tanguero]

The main power from the battery/alternator to the fuse box runs down the passenger side sill then up past the speaker and across to the fuse panel in the boot. The speaker is probably picking uup parasitic interference from the alternator. Pulling the speaker cable and replacing it with something with an earthed shield would probably cure it. Alternatively turn the ICE off and open the window...

[mickydoo]

Thanks Tanguero - that makes perfect sense. It is certainly an alternator type whine, rather than the sparks creating interference. I'll run in a new shielded cable tomorrow and test.

[1Dog74]

camel_landy said:

Audio???

Speakers???

Nope.... Still not getting it?

M

Me Neither...........

The lower my windows go the better the stereo sounds

[mickydoo]

Ran in some new cable along the door sill under the carpet and up into the rear speaker pod that was affected.

With the replacement Alpine setup, music now sounds mint - although there is a TINY bit of interference on the driver side rear now - but not enough that I can notice it with the music at anything about super quiet, so for now it will stay.

Time for a spin and some rockin' tunes I think, interspersed with some blat & pop sounds from the rear!