Thread: Ok found problem, now need suggestions...

Never ran across anything like this...

Installed a new Kicker 4 Channel amp, ran RCA cables, separate speaker wires to the component speakers up front (Boston Accoustics) and of course the Infinity Kappa's in the rear. A 4Ga. Wiring install with a .500uf capacitor. Head unit is a Kenwood, never totally happy with it limited controls but no problems with it either.

ok, so... I hooked up the rear speakers and its good, did same for front and the unit spazzed out. Kinda freaking a little bit. So, I ran a separate 4Ga ground to the amp (about 1') instead of sharing the connection on the capacitor. Still no good. Amp was clipping when it spazzed and there was high pitched squeal, and afterwards there's no bass at all from reads if I hook them back up. Speakers are ok as I've removed the connections and retired it to the head unit and they work fine.

My thoughts are a serious ground loop or bad ground totally with the head unit as I've grounded everything in the rear well. I will be running a separate ground to the head unit later to see if that cures the issue. Just wanted to see if anyone has thoughts on this?

thanks in advance : )

this might be a stupid question but is the amp in 4channel mode? my old rockford amp had a button for 2channel and 4 channel.

Kicker IX500.4

no setting/button for mode, it's channels are auto- based on terminations. I cleared up some of the noise with a separate ground I ran to the head unit. So chipping away. Sounds kinda ok, but like the entire mid-range is gone, driving me nuts...?

the Infinity Kappa's have built in crossovers... Wondering if I should cut them off and let the amp handle that? But the sound is fine when wired to the head unit alone.

havent hooked up the fronts yet, I want to pull the door panels and check terminations/phasing there too.

arrrrgh!

Had an older head unit that I swapped to test that as I couldn't find anything else wrong... Turns out is was the head unit!!! just over a year old!

Looking for suggestions on a new single din head unit... I like my music and will be hooking it up to my new 4 channel kicker amp feeding Infinity Kappa and Boston Acoustic component speakers. All suggestions are welcome : )