Audio/Video Q&A Thread

[Nit3h4wk C0uP3]

I searched for this and couldn't find it. The RSX Bose speakers, they look a little bigger then the coupe door speakers. Besides the size difference could they be used?

[ikethegreat]

Why replace a crappy OEM speaker with a slightly less crappy OEM speaker?

[timot_one]

I wouldn't use those speakers.  With the RSX, Bose actually is involved with the engineering of the car from the beginning, to insure the audio system is designed properly for that vehicle.  You're better off going with an aftermarket set of speakers instead. 

[Nit3h4wk C0uP3]

Gotcha, that makes sense. I knew there had to be a reason when i couldn't find it.

[ikethegreat]

Is it okay to use a different brand of tweeters on a set of component speakers?

I think one of my tweeters is dying and I'm thinking it would be a lot cheaper to just swap tweeters instead of buying a whole new set of components. 

[timot_one]

Technically, yes, but the answer is no.  You have a passive crossover that is for that set of speakers.  If you use a different tweeter, it will have a different resistance and will not sound the same or sound worse.  Sorry it's not the answer you're looking for.  Aren't these speakers fairly new?  Maybe they have a warranty that you can get a replacement for free or less $?

[ikethegreat]

I bought them in Nov. '11 so unfortunately they are past the 1 year warranty.  This is my second pair of Polk components and both sets have lasted less than 3 years each.  I love their sound for the price but I need something that will last longer. 

Any suggestions? 

[Mike]

I would contact Polk with your frustrations. The old I know they are out of warranty but its the second time.

[Asim]

I have been noticing something about my subwoofer where it is intermittent. Not in the sense that its there for a minute then gone then back, but sometimes its non existent (powers up) but either has extremely low signal or isn't getting boost from the amp.

Then it can show up randomly either at next power up of the car, or it can just appear out of nowhere after being dormant for 30mins +.

I haven't been able to trace this down to anything specific.

I believe this occurred even before when I had two Infinity amps (one mono and one four channel).

Alpine 9886 deck
Alpine PDX5 amplifier

Could it be a voice coil crapping out?

[timot_one]

Could be almost anything. May be a good idea to start with what's easy to test and work your way from there.

[Asim]

Tips on where to start?

[timot_one]

Well, usually voice coils don't just cut in and out. They fail and stop working forever. You may want to try another speaker on that channel. If it does the same thing, then it could be the amp.

[Asim]

Another noted today, it can "come on" and "come off" without changing input or powering down the deck.

I was listening at low volume, trying to get it to "come on". One trick to get it to appear is turn the Bass + higher on deck (not sub level), then turn the volume up a little and wait for it to show up. Once its active again, turn the Bass back to 0. Continued listening at this medium/high volume for a little but until I turned it down at a stop light. When I brought it down, I noticed the sub disappear again.

[gargantula99]

You think maybe the amp is over heating, shutting off, then once it cools down it turns back on again?

[ikethegreat]

I've started to get some serious engine whine coming from my speakers.  I've checked the grounds for my HU and amp and they appear fine.  I bought some ground loop isolators but I'm afraid they will affect my sound quality so I haven't installed them yet. 

When I ran my amp power cable and speaker RCAs, I ran them together along the same side of the car.  I've been reading that this can cause engine noise.  However, if this was the culprit, the engine noise would have been present right from the start when everything was installed, not just appear one day out of the blue.  Correct?