Low Volume Hiss

[Woody_tobius_jr]

I was wondering if anybody else has any issues with a low volume hiss from the tower speakers. I have a pair of the Rev-8's on the tower, and I'm running my iPhone directly through my WS420EQ. Wetsounds amps, Factory Clarion head unit. It's more of an annoyance than anything, it doesn't affect the sound once you get a little volume going. But if I turn my towers right down to just use my in boats, then that's when you hear the hissing.
Ideas?

[EarmarkMarine]

I was wondering if anybody else has any issues with a low volume hiss from the tower speakers. I have a pair of the Rev-8's on the tower, and I'm running my iPhone directly through my WS420EQ. Wetsounds amps, Factory Clarion head unit. It's more of an annoyance than anything, it doesn't affect the sound once you get a little volume going. But if I turn my towers right down to just use my in boats, then that's when you hear the hissing.
Ideas?

Yes, an ipod has very little gain. So when you run it directly into the EQ, there is a need to substanially increase voltage. And with that gain multiplication you naturally increase the noise floor. And a tower HLCD will ruthlessly reproduce any degree of noise....just like they are killer for music reproduction. A really good high voltage source unit combats much of this elevated noise floor. You can remedy most of this noise by adding a small line driver in between the ipod and EQ input. This causes you to adjust the gain downward on both the EQ input and amplifier input. Thus the noise floor is reduced.
Make sure your amplifier input gains are not set too sensitive to begin with.
I describe 'hiss' as electronic thermal noise that sounds like a constant and distant waterfall...."Shhhhhh." It is the same whether the key is 'On' or 'Off'. If it changes with the key, ignition or alternator then it's something else.

David

[Woody_tobius_jr]

Thanks a lot! I'll take this info to the dealer that did the install, and see if we can get this fixed. He had told me that if I run directly off the EQ then it would eliminate that noise...didn't quite work out the way that they planned.

[ski4evr]

now i have a hiss after adding 420 eq. never had one before. will try looking at power connections.

[MLA]

When adding an EQ thats also a line driver, such as the WS-420, its a must to retune the gains.

[DanielC]

i agree with David. Try turning the gain down on the amp going to the speakers. Make the gain up earlier in the audio chain.

I do live sound. There are several places to control the overall system gain. The most important setting is the very first gain control on the mixer, that adjusts for the weak signal coming from the microphone, or other input.

When I do take a signal from an Ipod, or similar device, I generally run the Ipod close to wide open, and even them, the signal is usually weak compared to another line source audio device, like a CD player.

[EarmarkMarine]

i agree with David. Try turning the gain down on the amp going to the speakers. Make the gain up earlier in the audio chain.

I do live sound. There are several places to control the overall system gain. The most important setting is the very first gain control on the mixer, that adjusts for the weak signal coming from the microphone, or other input.

When I do take a signal from an Ipod, or similar device, I generally run the Ipod close to wide open, and even them, the signal is usually weak compared to another line source audio device, like a CD player.

Daniel,
With your live sound experience, I am sure you will agree that the worst thing that can happen in the signal path gain is a roller coaster ride.
As long as you are not saturating the input of any given component, it is best to start with higher gain and either stay consistent or step down along the signal path.

David

[DanielC]

David,
The head amp gain is set ideally just below peak indicators come on. Analogue mixers are a little more forgiving, digital mixers are not. This puts the channel faders in an optimum position. the power amp gain is then adjusted to the size of the room, with consideration to the type of job.
Dan

[Woody_tobius_jr]

Whoa! Really getting confused now

[kmgs]

Great troubleshooting steps
http://www.termpro.com/asp/pubs.asp?ID=121

[Woody_tobius_jr]

Great read, thanks!

[White Knuckle Rider]

I have a hiss at low volume but only when the boat is running. Very annoying! All sources too.