SWS8 popping sound with volume turned up

[M3DCTBT]

Setup:

Rockford 300/2
LC2i
Technic Harness
2 sws8xi 2ohm.

Up until recently it's been perfect, both subs random ally blew. So I replaced them. Turned them on last night and they sound OK at light volumes. As you go to medium volume they will pop randomally / distort / crackle. Something not right. Gains on amp went up and down on the LC2i no change same with crossover. Both subs do this.

Help?

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by M3DCTBT

Setup:

Rockford 300/2
LC2i
Technic Harness
2 sws8xi 2ohm.

Up until recently it's been perfect, both subs random ally blew. So I replaced them. Turned them on last night and they sound OK at light volumes. As you go to medium volume they will pop randomally / distort / crackle. Something not right. Gains on amp went up and down on the LC2i no change same with crossover. Both subs do this.

Help?

Funny you mention this, because I am having a similar problem with popping, crackling, etc. and I just installed the LC2i with Technic's harness yesterday.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=623617

[Technic]

Set the LC2i AccuBASS level and threshold to the absolute minimum: http://rs.audiocontrol.com/company_38//LC2i_OM.pdf

There is no need of any AccuBass in our cars.

Also, the LC2i Main outputs can be used, as the inputs to the LC2i are already low passed. That should avoid any processing/adjustment of the bass thru the knobs.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by Technic

Set the LC2i AccuBASS level and threshold to the absolute minimum: http://rs.audiocontrol.com/company_38//LC2i_OM.pdf

There is no need of any AccuBass in our cars.

Also, the LC2i Main outputs can be used, as the inputs to the LC2i are already low passed. That should avoid any processing/adjustment of the bass thru the knobs.

The Main outputs can be used or should be used?

[Technic]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

The Main outputs can be used or should be used?

The popping comes from the Accubass settings increasing bass notes unnecessarily. The Main outputs do not pass thru the Accubass circuitry.

So if you want to use/adjust the Accubass feature then you must use the Bass output.

To me, I use the Main outputs as -stated before- no bass notes needs to be processed in any of the OEM audio systems. The main purpose of the LC2i and the Enhanced Audio system is to handle reliably the 150W/30V peaks of the OEM amp woofer outputs, not to process the bass.

[THE TECH]

Ok. I set all 3 knobs on top to their minimum and the threshold dial on the side to it's lowest as well.

[THE TECH]

Well I did the above and now I have less bass than before.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

Well I did the above and now I have less bass than before.

Of course you do, the AccuBASS was increasing the bass automatically for you and then causing the pops when the level exceeded whatever threshold you were using.

Now you have exactly the same bass level output of the OEM Amp if you are using the LC2i Main outputs, no artificial bump in bass. You have to adjust the bass manually to your particular taste and set it just below the clipping/pop level.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by Technic

Of course you do, the AccuBASS was increasing the bass automatically for you and then causing the pops when the level exceeded whatever threshold you were using.

Now you have exactly the same bass level output of the OEM Amp if you are using the LC2i Main outputs, no artificial bump in bass. You have to adjust the bass manually to your particular taste and set it just below the clipping/pop level.

Odd though cause when I did what you specified, I also upped the gain on the amp figuring I was gonna need it higher but nada. I guess I will have to play with the amp some more and see.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

Odd though cause when I did what you specified, I also upped the gain on the amp figuring I was gonna need it higher but nada. I guess I will have to play with the amp some more and see.

You have many adjustments possible between the iDrive EQ and Bass level, the amp gain, and the LC2i bass/gain/AccuBASS knobs.

Is up to your particular bass level taste.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by Technic

You have many adjustments possible between the iDrive EQ and Bass level, the amp gain, and the LC2i bass/gain/AccuBASS knobs.

Is up to your particular bass level taste.

But I thought you said to keep the LC2i knobs at their lowest levels?

[M3DCTBT]

Originally Posted by Technic

Set the LC2i AccuBASS level and threshold to the absolute minimum: http://rs.audiocontrol.com/company_38//LC2i_OM.pdf

There is no need of any AccuBass in our cars.

Also, the LC2i Main outputs can be used, as the inputs to the LC2i are already low passed. That should avoid any processing/adjustment of the bass thru the knobs.

They have already been 0'd out from the get go. Remember the audio was perfectly fine till we replaced the subs. Same settings. Still popping.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

But I thought you said to keep the LC2i knobs at their lowest levels?

Yes, I just pointing out that there are several adjustments available. How you adjust them is up to you. To me, AccuBASS is unnecessary.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by M3DCTBT

They have already been 0'd out from the get go. Remember the audio was perfectly fine till we replaced the subs. Same settings. Still popping.

If your original SWS-8 blew then by definition your system was not perfectly fine. What your are experiencing now most probably is the same bass level/gain issue that blew your SWS-8 to begin with.

[M3DCTBT]

Originally Posted by Technic

If your original SWS-8 blew then by definition your system was not perfectly fine. What your are experiencing now most probably is the same bass level/gain issue that blew your SWS-8 to begin with.

I played with it forever. Let me explain...

From 50-80hz lp crossover and a gain of 3-8 before on the rockford it would not distort nor pop, ever. It lasted 6 months at gain of 7.

One cold morning (20 degrees) I turned the car on with the music cranked to near max and in a clean boom, both speakers popped. I replaced them and turned the gain back to 1-3 and it now pops every 6-7 seconds. Somethings off.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by M3DCTBT

I played with it forever. Let me explain...

From 50-80hz lp crossover and a gain of 3-8 before on the rockford it would not distort nor pop, ever. It lasted 6 months at gain of 7.

One cold morning (20 degrees) I turned the car on with the music cranked to near max and in a clean boom, both speakers popped. I replaced them and turned the gain back to 1-3 and it now pops every 6-7 seconds. Somethings off.

If the iDrive went to "sleep" it should have turned on at a much-less than-max pre-set volume level, and no excessive bass hit should have been generated by the OEM amp woofer outputs.

So it looks to me that perhaps a spike at car turn on at either the RF amp or the LC2i 12V input may have caused the SWS-8 pop. Which could also mean that either the RF amp or the LC2i may be also damaged.

[THE TECH]

Got mine squared away. Thanks Technic!

[M3DCTBT]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

Got mine squared away. Thanks Technic!

What was it? Ive tried everything.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by M3DCTBT

What was it? Ive tried everything.

I think our problems were similar but not the same.

Have you tried taking the harness out and eliminating all the aftermarket stuff from the loop to see if the popping is still there? I mean you're dealing with 4 different parts, each needing to be diagnosed to find the trouble source.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

Got mine squared away. Thanks Technic!

What was your problem?

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by Technic

What was your problem?

I'm an idiot.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

I'm an idiot.

Ok... I was looking for a more technical reason.