Stereo too loud!!!

[Scotlad]

Hi folks

I've just fitted a clarion cd player out an 02 406 instead of my tape player but now the radio and cd are all way too loud. I think this may be connected to the upgraded amp fitted in my exec with the head unit coming from a non upgraded amp car. Does anyone know how to quieten it down a bit or adjust it so it doesn't use the internal amp and just the external one? These head units were fitted to various spec cars so there maust be a way to compensate......... I hope!!!

Any/ all help gratefully recieved!!!!

Graham

[DaiRees]

Hiya mate, yeah there is something way in the back of my memory but it's not coming out. I'm sure we've had this on here before but I can't find any answers so it must have been pre-hacker (bastud! ). Anyway someone will be along soon I'm sure.

In the mean time have you tried looking through the menus for something like "pre-amplification"?

[Scotlad]

Thanks for the reply Dai.

Oh dear i didn't know there had been hacker trouble- i just wish these twats would get a life and let us normal people enjoy ours!!!!

Sorry rant over! Yes glad to hear it has popped up before so hopefully someone will know the solution before it drives me nuts. It sounds great but just too loud! I've had a rake through the menus but nothing is jumping out :-(

[mbell666]

basically the problem is your new head unit has a in built amp, you are then connecting it to the (power) amp in the boot. So you basically amplifying the signal twice (=loud).

You need a head unit with two pre-outs (un "amplified" outputs) these can then with a bit of wiring magic it will work (pre outs to speaker connections, which will connect to the power amp in the boot). You will then get the correct volume and still get to use the good jbl amp.

Another solution may be to perform some wiring in the boot to by pass the power amp. But the power amp is likely to be better than the amp in your new head units and the wiring less straight forward.

[DaiRees]

basically the problem is your new head unit has a in built amp, you are then connecting it to the (power) amp in the boot. So you basically amplifying the signal twice (=loud).

You need a head unit with two pre-outs (un "amplified" outputs) these can then with a bit of wiring magic it will work (pre outs to speaker connections, which will connect to the power amp in the boot). You will then get the correct volume and still get to use the good jbl amp.

Another solution may be to perform some wiring in the boot to by pass the power amp. But the power amp is likely to be better than the amp in your new head units and the wiring less straight forward.

Nah mate, exactly the same headunits are fitted to cars that came with the standard speakers or ones with the JBL "premium" speakers & amp, so there must be a setting somewhere. Someone's had this before.... was it Supa??? Damn my memory's getting crap, must be my age! What was I saying?

[mbell666]

Nah mate, exactly the same headunits are fitted to cars that came with the standard speakers or ones with the JBL "premium" speakers & amp, so there must be a setting somewhere. Someone's had this before.... was it Supa??? Damn my memory's getting crap, must be my age! What was I saying?

If there is a setting its in the factory fit head unit to switch it between amplified and none amplified/pre out output. People have reported exactly the same problem before and the solution is to use pre outs and not the amplified speaker outputs on the replacement head units.

The wiring is head unit speaker connectors, to power amp input, power amp output to speakers. The old popping radio confirms this, the popping is caused by minor connector issues on the low voltage pre-outs, this is then amplified in to a loud pop/crackle by the jbl amp.

[Scotlad]

Do any of you know of how to get any other settings on the standard clarion head units other than the usual balance, bass etc? I really dont want to have to mess about with wiring if there is an easy solution out there somewhere.

The cassette head unit that came out played at the correct volume but the cd head unit out the 2002 406 plays way too loud. I've tried various button combinations in the hope of uncovering a hiddedn menu but to no avail :-(

I'm sure Dai is on the right track but i wish i knew the solution. I'm going to have to back to the cassette head unit meanwhile in order to get some music!!

[mbell666]

Personally I don't think there is a setting, if there was it might be switch on the head unit or require the head unit re-programming, or a soldering iron.

If you have the JBL system you should have a cd changer in the boot (or the cables to put one in if someone has removed it) so why do you want a cd head?

[Scotlad]

If you have the JBL system you should have a cd changer in the boot (or the cables to put one in if someone has removed it) so why do you want a cd head?

Oh i have a changer in the boot- its just much more convenient for changing music if its a cd head unit too. If i have a disc i want to listen to once, its a palaver changing over the cds in the changer. More to the point do you have a pile of cassettes you listen to? No neither do i so i'd rather have something useful than a pointless throwback to the seventies .

[DaiRees]

Oh I dunno, this issue has been on here before and it was fixed. Dunno what the solution was. Maybe it was a dealer re-program as suggested above? Perhaps it's another bloody BSI thing ? I'm sure there aren't multiple versions of the same Head Units with & without amplification, so there either has to be a way to swicth off or bypass the HU's amp, or maybe there's another device in between the HU and the amp to reduce the signal strength somehow, but that wouldn't make any sense to me at all! In the absense of anyone with a better memory than me coming forward all I can begrudgingly suggest is that you consult a main stealer..... sorry mate.

[mjb]

You could take one of those mobile kit M-F iso adapters and wire a few heat-shrink covered resistors in-line?

[Scotlad]

You could take one of those mobile kit M-F iso adapters and wire a few heat-shrink covered resistors in-line

Hmmm thats not a bad idea. i wonder what resistance i'd need to get the desired result. Anyone got any idea?