Installed Amp & Speakers, getting constant buzz

[Gir]

So I got fed up with the standard system and decided to install a Kenwood headunit with a Focal 2 channel amp and some focal polyglass speakers. Unfortunately, I'm getting a constant buzz/hum through the speakers.

Basically, there is two different sounds. A quiet hum when the amp has power and the speakers are connected, even if the rca's are disconnected. It goes away when the speaker is disconnected from the amp, or when the amp looses power.

The second, more annoying one, is a loud buzz whenever the RCA's are connected. It goes away when the RCA's are disconnected from either the Amp or Head unit. I've tried:

• re-earthing the amp and sanding away the paint
• re-earthing the headunit
• removing the antenna connection
• running a new battery to chaises ground
• running a new RCA cable outside the car
• running a ground from the amp directly to the battery
• grounding the RCAs
• installed an RCA ground loop isolator
• installed a ground loop isolator on the head unit constant wire

None of this has made even the slightest difference. I was, however, able to almost completely remove it by lowering the gain on the amp right down, but it kind of eliminates the point of the amp.

Is there anything else I should try, or is this all pointing to a faulty head unit/amp?

[Foobar]

Any chance you have your RCA's running close to power somewhere along the line? My only other suggestion would've been to ground the RCA's which you already took care of.

[simplicityinsound]

based on what you are describing and what you have tried, i would say you are likely looking at either a bad amp, or a cut speaker wire that is grounding.

i did not see you try simply attaching a new speaker wire to the amp,lead it to a speaker, literally just hold it in your hand next to the amp, and see if it still does the same thing. if it does, then its likely a bad amp, if it doesnt, t hen you have some kind of issue with your speaker wire somewhere.

make sense?

b

[Gir]

Originally Posted by simplicityinsound

based on what you are describing and what you have tried, i would say you are likely looking at either a bad amp, or a cut speaker wire that is grounding.

i did not see you try simply attaching a new speaker wire to the amp,lead it to a speaker, literally just hold it in your hand next to the amp, and see if it still does the same thing. if it does, then its likely a bad amp, if it doesnt, t hen you have some kind of issue with your speaker wire somewhere.

make sense?

b

Yeah, that's something I never thought of trying. I'll give a it shot tonight.

[SpeakBeck]

I would also bet that it is a bad amplifier.

[Gir]

Also forgot to mention that changing the amp to Low pass filter completely eliminates the noise.

[wheelhaus]

Originally Posted by Gir

Also forgot to mention that changing the amp to Low pass filter completely eliminates the noise.

Considering your previous troubleshooting, if this happens while there are NO inputs connected to the amp, I think you found your culprit. You could also see if a local audio shop or a friend has a loaner amp you could hook up really quickly just to test.

[mashal]

Seems like the ground on your amp itself is bad , had that issue on a friends car it was a bitch to figure it out


I-Tapatalk

[Gir]

Alright, ran bunch more tests using a different amp and speakers. The very light buzzing stays no matter the combination, but the loud buzzing goes away with a different amp. Looks like there's a loose connection on the amp RCA plugs. Gonna get the amp replaced and see if that fixes it.

Thanks for the help everyone.