Help-Tower speakers have low sound

[noti_dad]

HELP!

I have a Kenwood 8452 (800W max) running 4 6.5 Focal speakers. To hear them @ 75ft I have to have the head unit (CMD4) turned all the way up/max volume. The amp has sensitivity controls but no gain. Power is directly to battery, speakers are bridged for 200w X 2 and all connections are tight.

Something's not right as I have the interior speakers (polk 6.5) and a sub powered by a Clarion 480 that will break your eardrums at half volume.

[Andrew]

RE: Help-Tower speakers have low sound

what ohm rating are ur amp and speakers?
the bridge may be screwing up the resistance between the amp and speakers

[noti_dad]

amp- 4ohms @ 70w x 4
2ohms @ 100w x 4

speakers-4ohms @ 90w rms, 270w max

speakers are double cans, 2 sets (4 speakers total). one set for each channel on the amp.

[MHayes]

Ok, let's try to get your situation fixed. I'm guessing that the input sensitivity is the main culprit, but a few more things caught my eye in your explanation, so I have several questions/comments:

1) You say the speakers are 4 ohms, is that for each set (i.e. the double can) or for each speaker? If it's for each speaker, I'm guessing that they are wried together in parallel, forming a 2 ohm load. You say that you are bridging the amplifier to get to the 200w x 2, however, that amplifier is only capable of a 4 ohm load when bridged (i.e. it is not stable at 2 ohms).

2) The preamp output voltage on the Clarion CMD4 is 2 volts; the input sensitivities on the amplifier should be set to 2 volts. According to if your input into the amp was 2 or 4 channels (see below), you'll either only have to set the input sensitivity for channel A or both A and B.

3) For the input into the amplifier from the CMD4, did you use 4 channels or just 2 (i.e. are there 2 sets or RCAs going into the amplifier or 1?). If it is one set, then they should be plugged into the A position and the input selector on the front of the amp should be in the A position. If two sets, then the input selector should be in the AB position.

4) Just to get them out of the equation for right now, set the two filter switches and the bass boost switch on the front of the amp to the off position. Given that they are 6.5" tower speakers, you really just want mids and highs running though them. If you like, you could go ahead and set both filters to the HPF position and then adjust the HPF Frequency settings for both A and B channels to around 150 hz.

Check these things and you should be in business. Hope this helps.

[noti_dad]

1) speakers are wired in parallel (2 speakers to one speaker wire). that may be the problem. Should I just un-bridge them and run 1 set to chnl A & the other to B?

2 & 3) amp is set on a&b. sensitivities are seperate, I'll adjust to 2 for each. rca input has 4 (2 red, 2wht). cable is connected to both wht inputs on amp.

4) bass boost is off, switches are to mono and both filters are off. I will change to hpf on both chnls. will I need to go to stereo to have the filters work and will that make a differance??

I'll bust into it when I get home. Thanks.