Sound Problem in ICE Setup

2nd June 2009, 18:07

Namaste Guruji(s).

Given below is the ICE setup in my new Ford IKON.

- Kenwood 6539 HU
- Front 5 1/4" JBL component speakers
- Rear 330 W 6" GTO series oval Speakers.

The sound is crystal clear with minute details in the low to mid volume level. (settings are with mid bass and fader level set to 2)

But when I pump up the volume on highways, the speakers tend to make a "grrr" "grrr"

sound. It completely turns me off what I enjoy in the mid volume.

Could any of the gurujis advice me on the problem and course of action?

B.T.W i got the ICE setup done bu Autoshop in Koramangala.

Thanks in advance

-Vinay

panky12345 · 2nd June 2009, 18:44

Just install an amp and you'll be all set!

2nd June 2009, 18:53

Well pankyji, that addresses my course of action. but I am unable to understand the problem

. Help me in understanding the problem [tech stuff also will do

]

m4ugr8 · 2nd June 2009, 18:54

Hi,

Does your HU have HPF/LPF Feature?? If yes check at what settings these are set at, If the settings are THROUGH, Take the HPF to 80Hz and the voice will not crack at high volumes. Take all the EQ settings to FLAT!!

EDIT: Its a 6539, lovely, just set the LPF and HPF and you should be good to go.

Sam Kapasi · 3rd June 2009, 15:29

Vinny,

The reason you have those sounds is because you are overdriving the puny amplifier inside your head unit.
If you really want to play loud, an amplifier is your only answer.

DerAlte · 3rd June 2009, 17:05

(Sam's answer is quite complete, but still...) At the volume level you are using, the internal amplifier of the HU (usually 18W RMS) is going into 'clipping', which is producing harmonics which were not there in the original music. The speakers are faithfully reproducing these unwanted harmonics. External amps, which are capable of handling at least 40-50W RMS, do not go into clipping at such volumes. Not that such amps are slouches, if you intend to go still louder, you will need to put in amps which can pump closer to the safe wattage of the speakers (say at least 80W RMS).

8th July 2009, 13:52

Thanks deralte and sam... and also to m4ugr8 for his inputs on handling the noise... As per m4u's inputs, the HPF and LPF settings have helped considerably.... Sound is much better and safe higher volumes... as others have stated and since I am aware of the unavailability of the amp in my car, I have not gone to too much high volumes... will get a amp installed soon...

Anyways, the ICE setup what I have right now keeps me completely happy for what I was craving for...

All the guru's out here.. please suggest me the right amp for my ICE setup...

greenhorn · 8th July 2009, 14:22

if you are not a sucker for bass, reduce the bass levels (via EQ or LPF). You'll get cleaner sound, but with less bass

shreyasma · 8th July 2009, 16:21

@catchvinny, dont play components below 80HZ. components are not meant to produce lower frequencies

13th July 2009, 18:05

@Shreyasma,

I am confused a bit on the part of playing the compos below 80Hz.

Here are the settings available in my HU.

HPF with front and rear settings separately: Through, 80Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz, 150Hz and 180 Hz.

only one LPF option: Through, 60Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz and 120Hz.

Right now the settings are with HPF - front at 80Hz, HPF -rear at Through and LPF at Through.

Now I am not sure what is happening with the LPF setting. Does it apply to front or rear? In anycase what should my settings be with the available options?

Invinsible · 13th July 2009, 20:10

try the front with HPF: 80 / 100hz
This means it will play the frequencies above 80hz / 100hz
For the rear: keep HPF at '80hz' and the LPF should be 'through'.

This should make some difference in sound but as everysaid adding an external amp will deffinitely help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shreyasma

@catchvinny, dont play components below 80HZ. components are not meant to produce lower frequencies

Not true, my Morel comps plays good and clean at even 50 or 63hz.

It all depends how the driver is designed.

shreyasma · 13th July 2009, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Invinsible

Not true, my Morel comps plays good and clean at even 50 or 63hz.

It all depends how the driver is designed.

Well actually, mine plays good at all through and at 63HZ (never tried 50Hz).
But isnt the components supposed to be for mid bass and highs?
For all low frequencies it should be the sub. I may be wrong in my understanding.

Quote:

Originally Posted by catchvinny

@Shreyasma,

I am confused a bit on the part of playing the compos below 80Hz.

Here are the settings available in my HU.

HPF with front and rear settings separately: Through, 80Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz, 150Hz and 180 Hz.

only one LPF option: Through, 60Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz and 120Hz.

Right now the settings are with HPF - front at 80Hz, HPF -rear at Through and LPF at Through.

Now I am not sure what is happening with the LPF setting. Does it apply to front or rear? In anycase what should my settings be with the available options?

Post #11 by Invisible is fair enough and should make difference. Try that out and see if your ears feel good

thelord · 15th July 2009, 01:20

@catchvinny
Kenwood 6539 has 3-RCA out, for front,rear and sub-woofer respectively.
I am not sure but I think the LPF setting comes into play when you have configured the HU to a Subwoofer (with an amp of course).

I'd say keep the HPF for fronts at 80-100Hz depending on your music taste and set the Rear HPF to 'Thru' as you don't have an sub-woofer and you would need some bass from the rear coaxials.

Great HU by the way, Kenwood 6539.

2nd June 2009, 18:07	#1
catchvinny Posts: n/a	Sound Problem in ICE Setup Namaste Guruji(s). Given below is the ICE setup in my new Ford IKON. - Kenwood 6539 HU - Front 5 1/4" JBL component speakers - Rear 330 W 6" GTO series oval Speakers. The sound is crystal clear with minute details in the low to mid volume level. (settings are with mid bass and fader level set to 2) But when I pump up the volume on highways, the speakers tend to make a "grrr" "grrr" sound. It completely turns me off what I enjoy in the mid volume. Could any of the gurujis advice me on the problem and course of action? B.T.W i got the ICE setup done bu Autoshop in Koramangala. Thanks in advance -Vinay
	() Thanks

2nd June 2009, 18:44	#2
panky12345 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 2,697 Thanked: 171 Times	Just install an amp and you'll be all set!
	() Thanks

2nd June 2009, 18:53	#3
catchvinny Posts: n/a	Thanks Panky Well pankyji, that addresses my course of action. but I am unable to understand the problem . Help me in understanding the problem [tech stuff also will do ]
	() Thanks

2nd June 2009, 18:54	#4
m4ugr8 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,291 Thanked: 129 Times View My Garage	Hi, Does your HU have HPF/LPF Feature?? If yes check at what settings these are set at, If the settings are THROUGH, Take the HPF to 80Hz and the voice will not crack at high volumes. Take all the EQ settings to FLAT!! EDIT: Its a 6539, lovely, just set the LPF and HPF and you should be good to go.
	() Thanks

3rd June 2009, 15:29	#5
Sam Kapasi Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai (but wat Posts: 6,997 Thanked: 2,378 Times View My Garage	Vinny, The reason you have those sounds is because you are overdriving the puny amplifier inside your head unit. If you really want to play loud, an amplifier is your only answer.
	() Thanks

3rd June 2009, 17:05	#6
DerAlte Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8,069 Thanked: 2,919 Times	(Sam's answer is quite complete, but still...) At the volume level you are using, the internal amplifier of the HU (usually 18W RMS) is going into 'clipping', which is producing harmonics which were not there in the original music. The speakers are faithfully reproducing these unwanted harmonics. External amps, which are capable of handling at least 40-50W RMS, do not go into clipping at such volumes. Not that such amps are slouches, if you intend to go still louder, you will need to put in amps which can pump closer to the safe wattage of the speakers (say at least 80W RMS).
	() Thanks

8th July 2009, 13:52	#7
catchvinny Posts: n/a	thanks Thanks deralte and sam... and also to m4ugr8 for his inputs on handling the noise... As per m4u's inputs, the HPF and LPF settings have helped considerably.... Sound is much better and safe higher volumes... as others have stated and since I am aware of the unavailability of the amp in my car, I have not gone to too much high volumes... will get a amp installed soon... Anyways, the ICE setup what I have right now keeps me completely happy for what I was craving for... All the guru's out here.. please suggest me the right amp for my ICE setup...
	() Thanks

8th July 2009, 14:22	#8
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,399 Times View My Garage	if you are not a sucker for bass, reduce the bass levels (via EQ or LPF). You'll get cleaner sound, but with less bass
	() Thanks

8th July 2009, 16:21	#9
shreyasma BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bang! Posts: 652 Thanked: 6 Times	@catchvinny, dont play components below 80HZ. components are not meant to produce lower frequencies
	() Thanks

13th July 2009, 18:05	#10
catchvinny Posts: n/a	the confusion @Shreyasma, I am confused a bit on the part of playing the compos below 80Hz. Here are the settings available in my HU. HPF with front and rear settings separately: Through, 80Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz, 150Hz and 180 Hz. only one LPF option: Through, 60Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz and 120Hz. Right now the settings are with HPF - front at 80Hz, HPF -rear at Through and LPF at Through. Now I am not sure what is happening with the LPF setting. Does it apply to front or rear? In anycase what should my settings be with the available options?
	() Thanks

15th July 2009, 01:20	#13
thelord BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 278 Thanked: 5 Times	@catchvinny Kenwood 6539 has 3-RCA out, for front,rear and sub-woofer respectively. I am not sure but I think the LPF setting comes into play when you have configured the HU to a Subwoofer (with an amp of course). I'd say keep the HPF for fronts at 80-100Hz depending on your music taste and set the Rear HPF to 'Thru' as you don't have an sub-woofer and you would need some bass from the rear coaxials. Great HU by the way, Kenwood 6539.
	() Thanks