Polk Amp/Speakers rattling question

[cotton]

The SN206 we have came with a Clarion stereo and Polk PA500A.4 amp and Polk MM speakers. Suddenly they all rattle when turning the volume up. Since everything worked fine the previous trip out I find it hard to believe they all are blown and am seeking suggestions on how to troubleshoot the problem. Thanks in advance for any help offered!

[Mikeski]

RE: Polk Amp/Speakers rattling question

Sounds like the factory issue with new amp/speakers and old wiring harness. They probably need to be rewired. David from Earmark has done the fix a few times, he will probably chime in with the solution.

[EarmarkMarine]

Cotton,

We'd like to help but we need more information.

All sources? CDs or download?
All speakers including bow and sub?
All tone controls and amp EQs set to flat?
High and lowpass crossovers set at what frequency?

BTW, its hard to hear damaging distortion when you're at high speeds or when you're beached or anchored and away from the boat. Do these scenarios apply?

Whether or not speakers are blown, all factory systems need retuning at minimum.

David
Earmark Marine

[cotton]

Cotton,

We'd like to help but we need more information.

All sources? CDs or download?
All speakers including bow and sub?
All tone controls and amp EQs set to flat?
High and lowpass crossovers set at what frequency?

BTW, its hard to hear damaging distortion when you're at high speeds or when you're beached or anchored and away from the boat. Do these scenarios apply?

Whether or not speakers are blown, all factory systems need retuning at minimum.

David
Earmark Marine

Thanks David and sorry for my slow response. I spent so much time last week preparing to get out of town I forgot about this post.

Regarding "All sources CD's or download," the problem occurs with radio and my daughters IPod. I have not tried a CD.

Regarding "All speakers including bow and sub," nothing rattles if the Fade is turned all of the way to Back. If the Fade is Centered all speakers rattle, if the Fade is turned to Front, only those speakers rattle.

Regarding "All tone controls and amp EQ's set to flat" I assume you mean Bass and Treble and the speakers rattle regardless of those settings when some volume is applied.

Regarding "High and low pass crossovers set at what frequency," You've got me there. Is this a setting on the amp?

Regarding speeds, the rattling occurs while the boat is parked or moving.

Regarding factory settings, your help with how to do this will be most appreciated.

Thanks again so much for your willingness to help!!!

[EarmarkMarine]

cotton,

It sounds like from the description that only the bow speaekers may be rattling, even though you stated that all speakers rattle with the fader centered. Put your ears up close to various speakers to confirm which is the case.

If only the bow speakers are rattling, then its possible that these are the only speakers in the boat that are driven off the source unit internal power. If that's the case then its predictable that the source unit is slipping prematurely as compared to the amplified speakers. The 2.7 ohm Polks could also be problematic for the source unit's basic chip amplifier. There would be two possible resolutions: 1) Gain up the amplifier inputs so that the source unit and amps clip simultaneously, or 2.) Add a small two-channel amplifier to run the bow speakers (preferred option).

It's possible that the bow speakers are externally amplified and that those channels are mistakenly set on 'lowpass.'

If all speakers rattle; its possible that both front and rear RCAs are used and that there is a conflict with the input configuration on the amplifier settings.

Its possible that a front and rear amplifier output ground is reversed.

Its possible that the HU output wires are left connected to the factory harness even though an outboard amplifier is used.

All the above is just guessing. Maybe you do have a blown set of speakers. The easiest way to proceed with any diagnosis is basic elimination by isolation.
Hope this helps.

David
Earmark Marine

[cotton]

Thanks so much David!!! I will start troubleshooting when I get back into town. Thanks again!