QuestionHi John,
Stop me if I am asking too many questions.
FYI it's a 1997 xk8 and I don't see it worthwhile to do a multi $000 replacement.
Would beefing up the mosfets add amplification? Are there other considerations? Can repair shops do this?
Is adding additional amplification in series an option?
Is disabling the amplification in the existing amp and using it as a pre-amp and adding on additional amps an option?
Any idea how/where to get the detailed specs and wiring diagram? I don't want to overtax existing wiring/fusing if that's possible.
Thanks again.
Todd
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Followup To
Question -
Sorry to leave out important details. Its a Jaguar xk8 with HK Premium Sound. Does that change things? Can I (easily) add an amplifier to give improved volume without risking blowouts? I figure this would reduce clipping due to low output of current amp.
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Followup To
Question -
My Jaguar Premium Sound system has a problem with distortion from the rear subwoofer. Any Idea how to get specifications for this system so I can look at suitable replacement components? Any suggestions as to how to handle this problem? Sufice it say, the dealer wants a fortune to replace the pieces.
Answer -
Since I do not have a year of production I cannot get very detailed on this but I will give you a nugget of advice.
If I am correct and this car is mid 1990's XJ series car then it should have a Bose made system. Crackling from speakers in most Bose systems is usually found to be the amplifier itself. Their are many outfits that can be found online that offer repair for these systems at a fraction of the cost of replacement. I suggest you hunt down a repair shop and get their expert opinion on the matter.
They will also be able to steer you towards a replacement driver "speaker" for the system if you wish to cover all the bases. Just type in Bose amplifier repair or Clarion amplifier repair and let Google be your guide.
Regards,
John
Answer -
Well now, why fix the sub! It only drowns out the squealing tires and exhaust note!
HK is the same deal; many repair facilities available to repair it. You can have them beef up the Mosfets when they fix it if necessary.
I would start by finding a suitable repair facility.
I found this tidbit on a listing of parts wanted on a salvage database.
1997 Jaguar XJR
4-Door, Straight-6, Gas, Automatic-OD, 4x2 Other
I need a replacement amplifier for the Harmon Kardon audio system. This is an item found in the 1997 cars with 6-disc trunk mounted CD changer.
You are not the only person with this problem.
If I was doing this
I would take it to a professional automotive audio shop and sink $2000 into a new system and installation.
All Alpine or Kenwood with component speakers. You would be surprised at the difference you hear in the Rachmaninoff rack 3 with $2000 in real audio components. I installed mine myself and use 4 4" drivers with 2" mids and tweeters driven by 2 alpine amps and two subs "one 6" in a band pass enclosure and one 15" kicker comp VR in a TIG welded aluminum plate sealed box" driven by two amps "600W and 1200W mono" with an Alpine head unit and an in dash 12 CD slim changer. Absolutely the finest that you can get without risking cardiac arrest and blown out windows.
But, this is in a 64 Lincoln Continental and you have a slightly more complicated installation problem.
The problem in installing a different amp is the following.
HK uses one amp for everything in most cases.
HK also regulated volume via the amp instead of varying the input line volume. That means that like any good home stereo with a volume knob and a remote, when you push the remotes button for volume, the knob moves. Same thing with your stereo, when you up the volume of the music it sends a signal to the amp to increase volume. Aftermarket amplifiers have no provision for this feature and are regulated by how strong the signal is from the head unit.
Hence also why HK amps have around 30 wires going in and Aftermarket units have only 8 to 16 depending on how many speakers they are designed to control. 16 wires equals 2 input leads per channel, Power, Ground, Remote, +/- connections for up to four speakers. Some amps can control 4 speakers and one sub in a neat package but usually suffer from poor performance due to packing all that amp into one little box.
Also, your radio is part of the cars security system and if it dies or is removed the car may freak out and decide that it is being stolen, shutting off a few systems and generally making a mess of things.
Try these guys,
http://www.multicare.org.uk/homeelectronicsrepairs/harmankardon_repairs.html
Regards,
John
Answer
Well,
The only route you have to go in is ether to fix the old unit and request that they install more durable Mosfets which will reduce or eliminate the chance that it will fail again. Or you can spend the $000 on an aftermarket system and the torture involved uninstalling the old and custom installing the new. The popping and clicking you hear is not a problem in its ability to provide sound it is a problem with its ability to process it correctly. adding on an amp or trying to isolate the amplifier circuit and work around it will yield $200-$400 worth of amp in your trunk plus heavy gauge cables, remote activation wires, and a crossover network that will only work marginally if at all. I have tried everything to do the same thing in RX7's "my convertible has a Bose system with speakers in the headrest" and after weeks of working every angle and even building power filters and bridge relay arrays it still yielded minimal results. I sent it all off to Portland Oregon and had the Bose guy fix it the right way and beef up the internals. Works great, and has lasted years without issue.
By all means if you feel up to the task of trying to find other options you can get a wiring diagram of the radio system from the dealership and try to diagram a new system using commonly available components. The only problem in this is the head unit and its distribution and control methods as they are far from easy to work around.
My vote is to send it to the HK guys and let them goof with it.
As for the speaker, a friend in high places said to get the depth, diameter, and ohms rating and he would get back to me. The ohms rating should be printed on the magnet of the speaker.
Regards,
John
