QuestionI have been having trouble with engine whine in my rear speakers, i know this is the case because it occurs only when the engine is running. I thought that the problem may have been the RCA cables since i took a cheap route in this area, so i replaced them with some street wires "zero noise 5" RCA cables and installed ground loop isolators which i thought would cure the issue, but it did not.
My questions:
1.) i did not buy the best possible quality RCA cables, i could buy street wires "zero noise 9" cables. Do you have any experience with these cables and have any idea if this would make a difference?
2.) I'm putting up to 200 watts of power to my rear speakers and using 18 gauge speaker wire. Could a thicker speaker wire alleviate the whine?
3.) The speakers were given to me by a friend and are a brand i have never even heard of. Could poor quality speakers be the problem?
Thanks for the help in advance
AnswerAndrew,
I am sorry for the delay. To answer your questions, I have had experience with Zero Noise cables, and I do not believe they have anything to do with your noise problem. 12 - 14 gauge speaker wires would be optimal, but they are not causing the problem. The speakers, as with most, are just reproducing sound by whatever is input, so they are not causing the problem.
Typically, there are 2 reasons for engine noise. First is an open ground. The ground wire, on the amp, should be as short as possible, as large (gauge) as the power wire, and connected tightly. This will usually solve the problem. If not, then you will need to install an electronic noise suppressor on your power wire. Usually, the alternator makes the humming noise that goes through the power lines. That humming noise is deadened by the first ground closest to the battery. If you are running a long ground wire, that is connected up closer toward the engine compartment, the noise will go through your electronics to get to that ground point. Hope this helps, Scott
