Why Do My Speakers Sound Bad at High Volume? | Car Audio Q & A

Watch as Brendan and Allyn answer why car speakers might sound bad at high volumes.

This video is a part of our Q&A Series, be sure to check out the Q&A playlist to see them all!

Want to have your question featured? Submit your questions here:

Sonic Electronix always strives to be the premiere online shopping destination for car electronics and other consumer electronics. Our slogan is "The X-Factor When Shopping for Electronics" and it is our goal to be just that. We're here to help you find solutions and great prices without sacrificing service.

Sonic Electronix Facebook:

Sonic Electronix Twitter:

Sonic Electronix Instagram:

[badgers-jz.]

Real answers. Real questions. Best car audio Q&A

[fudge]

I might also have some insight on this issue that wasn't mentioned in the video, as I had a similar problem in my car with a Kenwood head unit and Rockford Fosgate speakers. My popping was only noticeable at high volumes, but I think it happened at low volumes also, but it just wasn't really noticeable. I am going to outline the troubleshooting procedure that worked for me. 

First, do what the video said. Check all your wiring, and make sure your EQ is flat, no bass boost, etc. It could definitely be the solution to your problem, however, it turned out to be a different problem for me, which is why I felt the need to comment. 

Second, fade your head unit to each individual speaker and see if only one of them is crackling/popping. If so, it is probably an issue with that one speaker. This also did not solve my problem, because the popping happened on all of my speakers. 

Third, try another mode on your head unit. Such as, if you are always using your iPod via USB, then try plugging it into the AUX input and see if the speakers still pop and crackle. If they stop popping when you do this, then the problem is with your iPod or iPod cable. This was the problem that caused my speakers to pop and crackle. Cleaning them both with an air spray can temporarily fixed the problem, but it eventually returned. I ended up just moving all of my music to a USB drive. 

If all of this fails, you may have an issue with the head unit itself, or you may just not have enough power to properly run the speakers, as mentioned in the video. Also, remember to never turn your head unit up past 3/4 of its max volume, because it usually introduces a lot of distortion into the music. 

Hopefully this was helpful, and if all else fails, take it to a professional and have them identify the issue. 

[Chris]

Ya know, I come here for answers to my questions. Not social hour.

[ionlybluffAA]

hey guys, question: speaker level calibration. how would i go upon setting the best speaker level or how would i properly adjust it manually..? thanks

[markuk]

I have a bowl of rice crispies and they're driving me mad... how can I make them stop.

[JuniorzProductions]

Another thing to add, he can fade the sound of the deck to filter more of the power towards the rear speakers (it's a setting I found to be useful) But definitely need an amp if the deck does not have a built in amp most after market deck amps that are 200 watt are 4ch which is 50 watt per speaker (saying there is 4 speakers total) best bet for power is a cheap 300 watt sub with a cheap amp for a average car stereo system. My information is based of personal experience, not expert experience.

[bradnaylor]

I have a few Pioneer DEH-X9500BHS in a 1992 Acura integra... I also have 4 very low end Pioneer 6.5 inch 2 way speakers. I want to replace them for components up front, and some coaxial in the rear, since there's no tweeter holes in the rear. Maybe an amp too. really happy with the head unit, just want the mids and highs louder before I install a sub...

[everss]

Sounds like a factory amp that needs to be removed.

Same issue I had when I removed all the bose in my altima, remove the bose amp and all is well.

[glawton]

Hey guys, I have a 2014 Silverado with a factory radio. I'm experiencing the same issues, but I have Infinity 6x9s, 6x5s, and tweeters. I also have two Rockford Fosgate 10" subs with an LC5i Pro. The system sounds good, except when I turn it up, then the popping starts.

[TeeJay-ripl]

I just got some installed but litterally the same day the started sounding different. For about 30 mins they sound great cranked at max valume but after awhile the sound starts to sound fuzzy and volume decreases overall and gets echoed. Now I took the speakers back to get looked at n they sounded fine for both 35 mins but 5 mins after I pulled off the lot they did it again. Happens with all music rap, country, rock

[IndAudio]

Why my car sound distorting when i turn my bass knob on on high volume i have factory radio in my car and tuned it to -7.5db?

[Sovereign_]

I have a question. I’m sure you’re busy so I’ll try to provide all the info you would need here.

Currently I’m using my stock Camry stereo. Non JBL package.

JL Audio 400/4 amp. 4ohm. 75watts per channel.

Kicker Component Set. 4ohm. 10watt minimum. 100w RMS. 300 max rms.

Kicker component speakers, but the crossover was separated from the pair, as, according to the terrible installer I went to, it was pulling too much power from the woofer and causing it to be low volume. So the woofer was wired directly to the amp, and the tweeters were spliced in as well. So the amp is powering both. Without a crossover.

My problem is twofold now. 1. My tweeters are distorting, they tried to remedy this by adding a capacitor. It’s not working. 2. My tweeters are much louder than my mid woofer. And I need to push the volume HARD to get my mids to really shine through the rest of the mix, and at the point my tweeters are distorting, and uncomfortably harsh. Plus, I know that without a crossover they’re likely to die.

My plan is this. 1. Install an Alpine ILXW650. 2. Keep or remove the capacitor but, take that crossover that was intended for both speakers, and connect it in line AFTER the splice that connects the woofer and tweeter to the amp, but before the tweeter. I do this in the hopes that 1. The crossover works as intended, and will effect JUST my tweeters and 2. If it does in fact drain power, and I know a passive crossover does, then maybe it will bring the tweeter volume into balance with the woofers.

Can you, or anyone else hear with knowledge advise if this makes sense?

[koolkevin]

I purchased 2 amps for my car. A sony XM-1S for my RE SEX 12D4 and a XM-4S for my RF components. I ran a 4 gauge Monster cable from the battery into a distribution block and one 4 gauge goes to the xm-1s and one 8 gauge goes to the xm-4s. Is that power gauge enough juice to be running everything at its highest efficiency?

[tonyfourpaws]

Hey guys, I really appreciate your videos and i have a question.

AMP= Kicker CX A1200
SUB= Kicker 10 inch L7 Solobaric
Speakers= 4x Kicker 6 3/4

Ran well off of my normal truck battery but i was wondering about how long i could run it off of my new 120 AH deep cycle.

Should i upgrade my alternator (I think it's over 100 amp)
and do the big 3?

Thank you again and have a great day.

[timothypalacios]

Thank you so much for your time and info you share. Question, if I have component speakers that run 75 watt rms and it's only getting 50 watts rms from the amp, could this be considered underpowered? You spoke about clipping and distortion in this video and I am getting a little of both at different times in different songs. I'm just trying to rule out a few things to get it straight. Thank you again for your time. Tim

[jordchannel]

Need to remake this one but give the option of a amplifier also.

[tatsumaru]

Two things. If its what I think and its a rear deck? If you mount those 6x9s without the factory adapter straight on the metal, it'll cause it to pop and distort at loud volumes too. Found that out with my first car quick. Second, while you 'can' run speakers off a factory amplifier, I typically don't. You might be better off running new speaker wires to the aftermarket deck. Then perhaps upgrading to an external amp if its not enough.

[regstm]

2007 Impala LT (non Bose) I installed a new head unit and Scosche speakers all the way around, the front speakers are ran through the factory wiring, I had the back going through factory wiring as well but there was almost no noise in the rear speakers besides crackling static, I ran new wires to the back speakers directly from the head unit and that got the speakers to make a little bit more of clearer sound, I then installed a ground loop isolator which knocked out 90% of the static but now it's to the point where the front speakers are loud and bassy when they're not supposed to have that much bass and the rear sound like just treble.. confused and need help!

[MrAmrmnabil]

I have no idea about some of the terms you used. Would you make a Car Sound System 101 crash course. Great Vid Thanks.

[usernametaken]

is equalizing thru AUX good idea? i got alot of clean bass out of my caoxials by turning bass on poweramp app on android.