Too much watts or something?

[cardumb]

I installed a new HU yesterday to the JBL Premiums in my 1993 Ford explorer. I got done late so I didn't test it real good, sounded good enough. So when I woke up, I took it for a run and turned up...when i hit about 37 db it was almost all static...i know little about audio, so what's the problem here?

 

[Dopler174]

I read an earlier post that you had. You said that you factory speakers were still pretty good. You own a 1993, factory speakers are paper. Think about a 2 week old news paper. Your speakers are more than a decade old. Go to wal*mart, get you a nice set of lighting audio 5X7 speakers. They are $30 or so a pair. Best bang for your buck. That's what I did. As far as the rear JBL woofer, unplug that bad boy. With new door speakers, you won't even think twice about it. I promise.

 

[cardumb]

Yeah, I was close to buying 4 way speakers...but my cousin (who does a lot of this type of stuff) recommended to just keep the speakers since they were JBL and in good condition. I'm trying to spend as little money as possible on my sound right now (i've only had to buy speaker wire for twelve dollars...someone gave me the kickass cd player for free) since I have more, urgent and important problems to fix (my horn, cruise and back windows don't work properly).

I was just trying to find out exactly why it was making that rattle; and you say you think it definatly is the speakers? Or could it just be that the cd is giving out more power than the speakers are made for? I mean it gets really, really, really loud; but once i hit that mark the vocals get real distorted..idk?

 

[thewishkah]

Distortion will occur on almost any speaker at HIGH volume with out being amped
I would suggest playing with your bass/treble settings till you can make it sound a little better and leave the volume at a reasonable level untill you can get some better speakers which won't destort as easy as the stock paper ones. I would also suggest holding off and saving for good speakers rather then buying say the wal mart specail(no offense to anyone), something like a pair of alpine,infinity, or something of that sort.

One more thing, you said this is a jbl system? if you put an after market head unit I would bypass the amp in the back and let your radios amp do the work it will sound a lot better IMO. Good luck, Jon

 

[cardumb]

yeah, thats what we did. we bypassed the amp for everything but the back "sub"...which is actually a speaker, but it sort of acts like a sub.

Anyway, in your opinion; can I add any more speakers without buying an amp? There is actually a slot in each back door for extra speakers....would it be ok to wire from the existing speakers into the new ones? or would that #### up the sound? I'd have 7 speakers in my ford

 

[thewishkah]

you could do that, you would just have to cut the panel out and get some covers so no one kicks them. As far as sound goes you would likely have a rear bias (more sound coming from behind) if you were to do that, but it might equal out the sound also since right now the front gives most of the sound. Yes you can just hook them up to the existing door speakers with no problem just make sure your connections are good. If you need any other help just let me know and I'll help you out the best I can, Jon

 

[Dopler174]

Distortion will occur on almost any speaker at HIGH volume with out being amped
I would suggest playing with your bass/treble settings till you can make it sound a little better and leave the volume at a reasonable level untill you can get some better speakers which won't destort as easy as the stock paper ones. I would also suggest holding off and saving for good speakers rather then buying say the wal mart specail(no offense to anyone), something like a pair of alpine,infinity, or something of that sort.

One more thing, you said this is a jbl system? if you put an after market head unit I would bypass the amp in the back and let your radios amp do the work it will sound a lot better IMO. Good luck, Jon

Wal mart special? Lightning Audio is a subdivision of Rockford Fosgate. I'm 99% sure that isn't a low quality company. This isn't road gear. :thumbdwn: As far the extra holes in your doors, I don't think the magnet will allow the window to roll down. Could be wrong.

 

[thewishkah]

Im not saying they are garbage but there is a reason they are only $30 a pair, such as cheaper materials then rockford, and yes name does have some factor in the price but a nice pair of infinitys or even pioneers will sound better then the Lightning audio. I have had experience with L.A subs (not mine) and I wasnt impressed even for the price. I got a 12" power acoustik 800/1700w sub for just like 40$ more and havent been able to blow it with 850 rms going to it.

But enough about that, your window should still clear the magnet and if it doesnt you can always go to a junk yard and pull out a pair of the speaker mounts from the front doors of an X.

P.S. I am not trying to put down your speakers, I was just saying He should hold off till he can get something he would probably prefer. No disrespect at all, Jon

 

[cardumb]

the hole for the speakers are well below where the window goes. The hole is actually made for another speaker too, so I dont think ford would have been that stupid to put a hole where the window wont work if you fill it.

 

[thewishkah]

Like I said it SHOULD fit with no issues of clearence but if it is an issue, you know with the front doors how they have the speaker mount to pull the speaker out of the door a bit, you could just get those and bolt them in and be set(if clearence does become an issue).

 

[cardumb]

ah...i see what your saying. your telling me it might be an issue if i simply just shove the speakers in there, right?

 

[thewishkah]

It MIGHT but not likely I would give it a shot (dont cut the hole in the panel) just do a test fit and see if the window opens. Then you will know, it shouldnt be more then a 2 minute job to check.

 

[cardumb]

right...ok. so lets say the window does open; should I cut a hole in the doorpanel? or will the sound be ok just letting it be? (the hole is behind "carpet" material")

 

[Dopler174]

I would make sure that the speakers you put there has a grill for them. Use the grill to "pretty" up the hole that you cut. I thought the back doors had the mount in them and the front door speaker just mounted in the door in front of the window track? That's how mine are. By the way, I was never offended, I've owned a lot of speakers in my day, I was just saying, best bang for buck. You really should take a look at the lightning's next time your at wal mart. They are a lot nicer than you think. Three way speakers, 91 DB I think. Good ****. I mean, no they are nothing compared to some pioneer premiers, but a lot better than factory, Or pretty much anything older than ten years.

 

[cardumb]

I was thinking only the back doors have an extra slot for speakers; but I may be wrong.In other words, you think I should cut a hole and put a grill on the two doors where my 6th and 7th speakers would be? How would it sound if I didn't do that? If I just let them transmit sound through the carpetish material on the doorpanel?

 

[Dopler174]

LIke This :mflmflmflmflmflmflmflmfl: It will make noise, but not near enough. think of listining to people talking in another room by putting your ear to the wall. That's about the best way to describe it.

 

[Brandons]

I wouldnt even bother adding two extra speakers to the back doors. I cant see any real point in putting a speaker right near the floor, especially if its one of the ford premium 2 way speakers. As far as i know the only JBL in the premium set is that subwoofer at the back. But again if your bored, have the extra speakers, and some time go for the extra door speakers.

 

[cardumb]

they all say JBL on them actually...could be AM though. How do I go about adding a grill?

 

[Brandons]

Then i am mistaken, as for adding a grill i have no idea lol, never done it yet, id presume you could find one you can screw on or something.

 

[cardumb]

i think its kind of amazingly stupid how ford did that. there is literally a slot for a speaker...but then you gotto drill a grill hole? wtf.