Kicker hideaway issues

Yeah, but does that pass a sanity test? Less than a watt? Is that a reasonable outcome?

Was this measured without a real 4-ohm load on the circuit? I did some reading on this matter, and it sounds like you need to have a dummy load i.e. a 4-ohm resistor rated to dissipate more watts than you expect your amp to put out.

In any case, I'm hopeful I can get a lot more oomph out of my speakers with a Kenwood DMX906S headunit on its way that puts out 22w RMS x4. My first car audio project in almost 20 years...

 

I think the voltage was measured without having a 0dB reference level test signal into the HU and would disregard the results. Those voltages are too low for an amplified output signal.

I got bored last week and decided to bust out my scope and go through the signal path on my stereo looking for clipping. I was getting way more than that just on line level signal voltages, at least 9V when I turned the tuner up all the way, and I was hitting 54VAC on the output of the amp before clipping (sub).

 

My quote was in relation to how an amp I put sees an audio signal. The amp doesn’t care about “perceived volume”
But yes, our ears absolutely can hear the same volume level differently based on a few key frequencies. Our ears make things so difficult

 

As I said, I’ll hook my factory head unit back up on the bench and test it just for shits and gigs.
With many of the newer radios, they do need to see a speaker load on them to output audio. I do not believe this particular radio to need to see a load though. I can’t picture it only outputting “some” power when no load is seen. It’s usually all or nothing. But the tests will find out.

I was using a test tone cd, 1khz and 40hz @ 0db.

 

..... you have a Bluetooth CD player?

 

I stand corrected. Bluetooth would have also been turned all the way up, but definitely is a worse signal source than CD. Not sure why my past self would’ve used Bluetooth, but oh well. Tomorrow in the shop I will be using my test CD.

 

I try to stay out of your way here because I have a lot of respect for all you do on TW but I was pretty confused about some of your comments in this thread. Anyway... you happen to have a scope too? I'd be interested in knowing if/where the stock HU clips. Maybe I can bench test mine if you don't have one available, but mine is OLD and I think a lot of the Entune guys might like to know.

 

I don’t have a scope unfortunately. I use a

$198 SMD DD-1 SMD Distortion Detector DD-1

SMD DD-1 for setting gains and it detects clipping at 40hz and 1khz and is an industry standard piece of equipment at this point.

I plan on testing both frequencies @ 0db via cd to get the best signal available.
Testing voltage at clip with a 4ohm speaker load and testing with no load to note any differences. Will post up results tomorrow afternoon hopefully.
Everything I’ve done so far has been very un-scientific while in use in my truck. I want to make it as clean and consistent as possible this time to update my previous post with solid, accurate numbers.

 

@dolbytone @BearWithMe I'll be making a new thread with my results but let's just say that first time in my truck, who knows what happened lol. Maybe my meter wasn't making good contact, maybe a lead was damaged, maybe I'm just an idiot (I'll never rule that out)

 

After having to deal with all the issues you guys are having personally, I just gave up and went all aftermarket and I’ve been much happier and got way better sound. Good luck op hopefully it’s just a defective unit.

 

@destin_meeks Looking forward to it.

 

that is why it's never good to get those "all in one" subwoofers. a separate amp powering the sub will always do the job & sound better. it might take up a little more space and have more wiring, but it will be worth it in the long run. my advice, return the "hideaway" and rethink your options.

 

About a year late there man lol.
The hideaways are fine for people who want that level of bass. I install at least 1 a week, and multiple a week around Christmas. Some people don’t want anything more than a box under the seat.

 

Yeah, for those older people who don't want to be vibrating windows on the way to work. lol, i'm still in my 20's (late 20's anyway), so yeah the music i listen to benefits having a 12" subwoofer in a ported box. I guess the kicker hideaway is good for that mid-level bass, but to me it's kind of overpriced...you could get an 8" alpine type-r with a cheap amp from Amazon. Anyway, was just reading this post & was wondering what ever ended up happening to this dude cause his problems seemed horrible, especially since he got it professionally installed.

 

I think the thread took off in a different direction. Did the original person get any resolution? > have a similiar issue and I am at a loss. No sound at a low volume and at about 3/4 volume it comes on very loud and sounds horrible. I have a loc going to a 4 channel amp and the rear speaker wires from HU going to the hideaway. No factory amp.