Calling all serious audio know-it-all's and electricians!

Let me start by saying the 2016 Jbl system is not too good and I mess with things.

My end goal of my audio build was to add a aftermarket sub. I decided to change the whole system minus the head unit and the factory amp/processor (new speakers, new sub, custom box, new 5 channel amp, line out convertor).

The first line out convertor I tried was the JL Audio Fix 86. To my surprise, it worked. However, there was constant static, even with the radio turned off. I also couldn't turn the radio past 1/3 volume. Checked my ground (the line out convertor is grounded to the ground terminal of the amp). All seemed good there. I assumed the problem was the line out convertor sending to high of a voltage for the amp. I ghetto tested the amp by connecting my phone to a 5 way Headphone splitter and connecting 3 x 3.5 mm to 2 channel Rca splitters to the amp and letting the amp cross-overs do their thing. No distortion when doing that.

So I research different line out convertors and end up buying the Rockford fosgate 3sixty.3 with a smd distortion detector. I run the setup for the convertor to find out I won't be turning up my radio past 1/2 without distortion. Then I attempt to set the gain with the smd distortion detector and things get wierd. Supposedly, I was to turn the gain until the distortion light came on. It never did, even at max gain. The fq light didn't come on until I was half way with the gain, so I set it there. If I turned up the radio, the distortion light would come on.

Thinking it's good now, I test it out to find the same constant static even with the audio turned off. I did not get distortion until I turned the radio past half way this time. In addition, I get a VERY loud pop when starting the engine, but not when turning just the electrical on.

I think I've included all the info needed, but I will respond quickly to any reply that will help diagnose these issues. I am over $2k into this and would like it to turn out.

 

where are you tagging the wires to go into the converter?

 

I connected the line out convertor post factory amp. My settings on the convertor are also set to speaker level inputs.

 

From your initial post and this I am assuming your path is something like: Stock HU > speaker level outputs > stock jbl amp > amplified speaker level outputs > rf 3sixty.3 > rcas to 5 channel amp

If this is the case I personally would eliminate the stock amp. Now, I'm not familiar with the jbl system so unless there's not enough power coming out of the stock hu, I'm assuming the jbl stock amp is only used to amplify the source. You should be able to ditch the stock jbl amp and send the stock hu speaker level outputs directly to the 3sixty then from the 3sixty to your 5 channel amplifier and then retune for distortion.

 

Yeah, I remember someone saying that the stock pre amp inputs are very low voltage. That or no sound could be produced without the Hu recognizing that the stock amp is connected. Either way, there are other things running to the amp besides the speaker outputs.

 

I think the stock amp has to be in place otherwise it won't work

 

That's just a crapstorm of a system (jbl stock) if these points are valid.

Thanks for filling me in on this detail. OP, send me a pm with your steps on how you're using the dd1.

 

Yeah I was remember how Marv was saying something about that. Thank god my truck doesn't have jbl.