Static Noise From JL Fix86

8731 Views 71 Replies 8 Participants Last post by slothin49, Aug 12, 2019

slothin49

Discussion Starter · Jul 23, 2019

Been working on an install on my '19 Civic for a few weeks now. I decided to run a JL Fix86 to clean the signal and fix the bass roll-off that is built into the Factory HU. After getting everything set up and multiple attempts/tweaks I consistently get a constant static noise coming from speakers. Even at 0 volume on the HU. It doesn't get worse or better even with change in HU volume.

Here's how I've set things up so far:
- Ran a 1kHz @ 0dB tone to find the HU clipping point. Came out to 23/40
- Calibrated Fix86 w/ JL test tone and HU set to 23/40
- Tuned the amp gain (Pioneer GM D8704) to 15V's (Speakers are 2.5Ohm (tested)/90W RMS, ohms law) w/ a 1kHz @ -3dB tone
- Speakers Produced Constant Static, best result but still annoyingly noticeable

- Re-calibrated Fix8 and re-tuned amp gain to 15V's with HU at 15/40
- Static still constant and louder

- Re-calibrated Fix with HU at 40/40 volume
- Re-tuned amp gain to 15V's with HU at 23/40
-Static still constant and just as loud as second time.

I'm almost certain the static is coming from the Fix. If I unplug the RCA from the Fix while keeping the power to the amp/speakers, the static goes away. So I'm guessing it has to be the Fix (or maybe the Stock HU?). I replaced the Fix but the issue still exists with the new unit.

If turn amp gains down to the static lessens, but then my speakers aren't getting optimal power.

Things I haven't done:
- Ran the Fix ground to a new location. It is currently running to the factory harness ground.
- Considered that the head unit is the problem (brand new car and really don't want to sink a grand into replacing it..)

I'm going crazy trying to get a clean sounding system, and I haven't even gotten to the sub install yet.

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locoface

· #2 · Jul 23, 2019

Are you using the DRC knob for the fix?

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slothin49

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 23, 2019

locoface said:
Are you using the DRC knob for the fix?

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No DRC Knob, would like to keep factory volume control

locoface

· #4 · Jul 23, 2019

slothin49 said:
No DRC Knob, would like to keep factory volume control

Match the voltage to the fix from the radio. Might need to bring it down a volt.

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slothin49

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 23, 2019

locoface said:
Match the voltage to the fix from the radio. Might need to bring it down a volt.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How so? You mean the Fix Output Voltage?

SkizeR

· #6 · Jul 23, 2019

have you verified that its the fix causing the noise? try turning the system on with the inputs unplugged just to make sure. Do the same for the dsp/amps

slothin49

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 23, 2019

SkizeR said:
have you verified that its the fix causing the noise? try turning the system on with the inputs unplugged just to make sure. Do the same for the dsp/amps

I believe I have.. I've done so much back and forth testing I kinda forget. I will verify and try that again tomorrow. If it is indeed the Fix what would you suggest? Don't think the fix is faulty considering this is my second unit. Just gotta get the right settings

slothin49

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jul 23, 2019

SkizeR said:
have you verified that its the fix causing the noise? try turning the system on with the inputs unplugged just to make sure. Do the same for the dsp/amps

just tried, and unplugging the OEM inputs from the fix does stop the noise. Do I just have a bad head unit?? Or is there something I can do to fix this

Locomotive Tech

· #9 · Jul 24, 2019

To be clear....you have used the OEM speaker level outputs correct? Could be the factory amp too.

Is this static or a whine, noise floor? Does it do it with car on and off?

Locomotive Tech

· #10 · Jul 24, 2019

I guess what I am getting at is static (IMHO) is quite different than Alternator whine and a noise floor.

Static usually comes from a transmitted source or a weak or intermittent mechanical connection. Anyone who had an amp with a failing gain pot knows what I am saying

Your issue is probably is at the HU or the factory amp. Locate the amp and jiggle the connectors to it, if you hear the static noise change while jiggling, that's your focus

JCsAudio

· #11 · Jul 24, 2019

Sounds to me like you have the gain set too high on the amplifier and you don’t need to calibrate the FIX86 right at the clipping point of the radio. It’s also odd to me that the radio is clipping at 58% volume? Try calibration at a lower volume.

slothin49

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jul 24, 2019

Locomotive Tech said:
To be clear....you have used the OEM speaker level outputs correct? Could be the factory amp too.

Is this static or a whine, noise floor? Does it do it with car on and off?

The chain goes Factory HU>(Speaker Level Inputs) FIX86>(RCAs) AMP>Font Components.
No factory amp in the system. I don't have any premium audio package.
Not sure of the difference between static or noise floor. But it's not alternator whine, it doesn't change with revving the engine.

JCsAudio said:
Sounds to me like you have the gain set too high on the amplifier and you don’t need to calibrate the FIX86 right at the clipping point of the radio. It’s also odd to me that the radio is clipping at 58% volume? Try calibration at a lower volume.

I tried calibrating it using 15 as the HU max. 37.5%, and the static was even more present.

Locomotive Tech

· #13 · Jul 24, 2019

Static is a "crackling" sound

Noise floor is more of a hiss

slothin49

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jul 24, 2019

Locomotive Tech said:
Static is a "crackling" sound

Noise floor is more of a hiss

I would say its a noise floor then... but I'm not postitive. It's not like theres any popping which I associate with crackling. It a steady "white fuzz" noise. If that makes sense.

Locomotive Tech

· #15 · Jul 24, 2019

Now were talking!

Congratulations my friend you have a noise floor issue!!!!

slothin49

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jul 24, 2019

Locomotive Tech said:
Now were talking!

Congratulations my friend you have a noise floor issue!!!!

Awesome! Lol, how the heck do I fix it

Locomotive Tech

· #17 · Jul 24, 2019

So when you turn up the volume, you don't hear the hiss cause its drowned out by the music? or does it follow the volume increase?

You sure you don't have a factory amp right?

Locomotive Tech

· #18 · Jul 24, 2019

The wires that are connected to your speakers from the factory with a plug, you removed the plug and connected them to the input of the fix?

slothin49

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jul 24, 2019

Locomotive Tech said:
So when you turn up the volume, you don't hear the hiss cause its drowned out by the music? or does it follow the volume increase?

You sure you don't have a factory amp right?

Locomotive Tech said:
The wires that are connected to your speakers from the factory with a plug, you removed the plug and connected them to the input of the fix?

Not that I can tell. It generally gets drowned out unless it's just soft vocals on the track and then I can still hear it.

No factory amp, confirmed. Not using any stock speaker wiring either. Ran new 18Ga wires from the HU out to the Fix in, and then 14Ga wire to the doors from the Pioneer Amp.

Locomotive Tech

· #20 · Jul 24, 2019

Do you have a multimeter?

I would like to know how much voltage you have to the inputs at the FiX.

Or, can you run some jumper wires from where the inputs go to the fix back to the factory rear deck speakers?

I had a similar issue with my set up in my civic and the FiX, something about the load sensing feature in the factory HU, if it doesn't see a load, it mutes the out put. Let me dig around a bit.

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