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Topic: poor quality radio sound

in Forum: C3 Electrical

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poor quality radio sound

Posted: 2/5/09 7:05pm Message 1 of 9
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2tonevette1981
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Hillsboro, TX - USA
Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 148
Vette(s): 1981 beige/bronze
This is a followup....After changing anatenna and cable again and placing a ground plane under the fender there was no improvement in quality of sound. So, I went to installer today and was told basically nothing. The only thing he could suggest was I should not have pioneer speakers in front and sony in rear they should all be the same so you can adjust sound to the different materials each mfg uses. The way I see I either have to be OK with the way the radio sounds or listen to CD's only. I have bigger fish to fry with the car than the sound of the radio.



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poor quality radio sound

Posted: 2/5/09 8:30pm Message 2 of 9
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indy99
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Newport, MI - USA
Joined: 6/9/2005
Posts: 932
Vette(s): 1980 L-48 still in the middle of a frame-off.
Have you tried a different radio just to rule out the original?  It sounds like (pardon the pun) your radio has reception issues.   Since you replaced the antenna then the problem most likely is in the radio itself.  Does it occur only when the engine is running or also with it off??



Corvettes and women are the same...You want to make love to them but they keep breaking down.

poor quality radio sound

Posted: 2/5/09 8:39pm Message 3 of 9
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2tonevette1981
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Hillsboro, TX - USA
Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 148
Vette(s): 1981 beige/bronze
The radio is new....8 months in car....sounds the same engine running or not...the installer says it will not sound as well as CD and I know it is not but I think it should be better...the sound in my truck is the same radio or CD



poor quality radio sound

Posted: 2/5/09 9:50pm Message 4 of 9
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DaveM
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Flanders, NJ - USA
Joined: 1/27/2004
Posts: 2553
Vette(s): 1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.
Add a ground wire from the radio chassis to a good metal ground on the car.


 

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poor quality radio sound

Posted: 2/6/09 5:00am Message 5 of 9
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indy99
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Newport, MI - USA
Joined: 6/9/2005
Posts: 932
Vette(s): 1980 L-48 still in the middle of a frame-off.
That was my next suggestion to add a good ground from the radio chassis to a good ground point.  Check this with a meter to make sure.  Also check all connections to make sure that they have the correct polarity at the speakers. If they are out of phase it will sound bad.  + to +  and - to -.  + to - will put it 180 degrees out of phase making for poor sound quality.



Corvettes and women are the same...You want to make love to them but they keep breaking down.

poor quality radio sound

Posted: 2/6/09 6:01am Message 6 of 9
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
The sound is good when playing a CD, so it seems the speakers are ok. Apparently there is an issue with the tuner...
Verifying a good ground to the tuner chassis is a good idea.
I have to have a FM booster on my 'Burban, or the radio don't work fer crap, and it is a pretty high-end Alpine system.

Could it be that the tuner is just not that strong, as far as reception capabilities?


Joel Adams
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poor quality radio sound

Posted: 2/6/09 6:25am Message 7 of 9
KeBo
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Kendall Park, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/9/2005
Posts: 789
Vette(s): 1981 - 59 Beige over Cinnebar leather. Edlebrock top end, 2200 stall w/shift kit, 3:55s, Mufflex maniback exhaust, nice stereo, 16 in AREs w/BFGs
Few things - I have Eclipse speakers in the front and Focal speakers in the rear. They sound great together and balance out just fine. My original radio did the same thing yours is doing and I did the exact same tries at remedy.  I changed the head unit and all is fine.  My work was done at a VERY high end auto stereo place and they recommended the mix of speakers due to best bang for sound on the dash speakers and what rears worked best. 


poor quality radio sound

Posted: 2/6/09 8:15pm Message 8 of 9
greypoupon69
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Irving, TX - USA
Joined: 8/21/2004
Posts: 4273
Vette(s): #1 -1969 Corvette Coupe Riverside Gold, black interior,MN,A/C,350/350,PS,PB,window cranks. #2 -2000 C5, black/black, 6 sp, Bose system & lots of buttons.
I have a different mixture of speakers also (front kick panels & rear).  The engine is so loud I used this old Sony Power Booster that was in the car when I bought it and stuck a Kenwood CD Player/Radio/Ipod in there.  Sounds pretty good.
 
I would buy myself a big present and buy a new radio and power booster, then rock out when you cruise, Ed...Big%20smile



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poor quality radio sound

Posted: 2/7/09 3:40pm Message 9 of 9
Per4mance
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Morganville, NJ - USA
Joined: 1/25/2009
Posts: 92
Vette(s): 1971 350 270 hp roadster millivanilli red, black interior, white rag top, white hard top, I've had it 18 years and intend on giving it to my son for his 25th birthday(another 18 years from now)

This worked for me and I can't say if it will work for you, but you can give it a try. Make sure you have a good ground from the antenna base to the frame.(10 gauge or better). Make sure you sand or grind the frame and grease the spot where the connection point is with the eyelet of the connector so it doesn't rust up. Run a ground from the stereo  to the point on the frame that goes  to antenna ground plane that you just cleaned.Then the final step is to run a ground from the negitive side of the battery to the antenna frame ground. Vettes have to have a good ground plane because the body is fiberglass. It sounds like alot of work but it will pay off in the reception. I did it in mine with a Harada power antenna and I do it in stereo installations in customers boats all the time. I'll be posting a complete picture gallery of a custom stereo install in my car from start to finish.Umm....... hopefully next week,Thats if I get my garage back together (I gave up my work shop to the wife for her business).....Bill   Thumbs%20Up




in Forum: C3 Electrical


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