Vaq rear speakers, am I missing something?

ctc6698 · 04-14-2014, 10:44 PM

I'm severely struggling with hooking up a rear sub and amp on my Vaquero.

I've got the amp(R-Fosgate PBR300x1) hooking to a Kicker CVT sub. The amp's led indicator tells me all my connections are good and supplying ample power, yet I can barely hear speaker. I've used 2 types of speaker wires, swapped left to right, reversed polarity so many times I can't remember, yet still nothing changes. This is the 2nd amp I've tried this with. Full powered gain barely makes a difference. And I have the fade to full rear. I've swapped speakers and get same result.
Can anybody shed some insight? Is there something special that must be done to get a strong signal to the rears?
Basically, I'm lost, and hooking up speaker(s) has never been such a pain.
I hooked up a PBR300x2 in the front along with Polks and it all went perfect.

cactusjack · 04-14-2014, 10:54 PM

Do you have a good ground to the amp?

Arkie16 · 04-15-2014, 12:13 AM

Are you using the RCA outputs from the head unit or using the high outputs? If using the RCA's try changing the cable between head unit and amp.

ctc6698 · 04-15-2014, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Do you have a good ground to the amp?

It's grounded directly to the battery. And the blue led light on the amp comes right on and stays on which is suppose to mean good power and ground

ctc6698 · 04-15-2014, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arkie16

Are you using the RCA outputs from the head unit or using the high outputs? If using the RCA's try changing the cable between head unit and amp.

Using high outputs.....as in taking the 4 speaker wires for the rear channels and taking them into the amp, 2 wires out other side going to 1 sub. The high level switch(pushbutton) is selected.

**HwyRider** · 04-15-2014, 07:36 PM

You may just have a bad amp even though it lights up.

ctc6698 · 04-15-2014, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HwyRider

You may just have a bad amp even though it lights up.

That would be the 2nd one in a row. Return shipping $$ would start to add up quick.

**HwyRider** · 04-15-2014, 09:37 PM

I had a Rockford Fosgate PBR300x2 that did the same thing. I had purchased it through Amazon so there was no problem returning it for another.

BigDog1294 · 04-15-2014, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctc6698

... Is there something special that must be done to get a strong signal to the rears?

There is a front-rear fader adjustment in the radio setup. Maybe it's adjusted to the front?

ctc6698 · 04-16-2014, 05:46 PM

Hwy...I've already returned 1 with no problems for doing the same thing...did cost me $13 for return shipping. I'm hoping it's not another bad amp

Big Dog....I have the fade control to full rear. But, if I go 1 click toward the front, the front speakers come thru loud and clear. Is there a mechanical adjustment on the headunit itself? Seems like I'm not getting a strong signal to the rear regardless of fade adjustment.

Vulcan Hammer · 04-16-2014, 07:08 PM

ctc6698,

Some other thoughts that may or may not help...

Since you are using the amp strictly for a sub, I would suspect that the cross-over threshold may be set too low, if it is even adjustable on that model. If it is too low, little or no signal will be sent to the speaker. If there is no rotary control for this there may be jumpers to reposition.

Also, Dedicated Sub-Woofer speakers/drivers often include their own cross-over filter. I would try removing or disconnecting it (if present) to see if any signal gets through.

ctc6698 · 04-16-2014, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vulcan Hammer

ctc6698,

Some other thoughts that may or may not help...

Since you are using the amp strictly for a sub, I would suspect that the cross-over threshold may be set too low, if it is even adjustable on that model. If it is too low, little or no signal will be sent to the speaker. If there is no rotary control for this there may be jumpers to reposition.

Also, Dedicated Sub-Woofer speakers/drivers often include their own cross-over filter. I would try removing or disconnecting it (if present) to see if any signal gets through.

The amp does have frequency and gain controls. Only thing that happens if I adjust up on either is sound of speaker gets worse,but not louder. On full gain, I could drown out the speaker with a window fan on low. The amp is suppose to be plug and play.....4 speaker wires in, 2 speaker wires out plus power and ground. It's not suppose to be rocket science, but must be for some reason. I'm starting to wonder if something is not right with the fade control on head unit. I'm really "scratching my watch" on this one.

Boscoe · 04-17-2014, 11:31 AM

Sounds like a mismatched impedance issue?

BigDog1294 · 04-17-2014, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctc6698

Big Dog....I have the fade control to full rear. But, if I go 1 click toward the front, the front speakers come thru loud and clear. Is there a mechanical adjustment on the headunit itself? Seems like I'm not getting a strong signal to the rear regardless of fade adjustment.

Not that I'm aware of. Sorry it wasn't that easy. I can't help much more-haven't hooked rear speakers to mine.

ctc6698 · 04-18-2014, 08:01 PM

Well.....took amp and sub to local car stereo dealer and had them bench test the two. BOTH passed with flying colors which points me back to bike. Went to closest Kawi dealer to discuss. Only guy there who knows anything just left and wants me to come back tomorrow (20 mile drive). Got pissed and drove 30 miles to next dealer. "we don't know much about the Vaquero, just did some basic service on a couple,....let me find, heck we don't even have a manual on it". Are you freakin kidding me????? So, I guess I'll check a few more things out on my on then if need take the Kawasaki to the car stereo guys, not the Kawasaki service technicians (words used with sarcasm)
But, I have to wonder who the hell I would take it to if I had a major problem?

04-14-2014, 10:44 PM	#1
ctc6698 Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Kings Mtn, NC Posts: 114	Vaq rear speakers, am I missing something? I'm severely struggling with hooking up a rear sub and amp on my Vaquero. I've got the amp(R-Fosgate PBR300x1) hooking to a Kicker CVT sub. The amp's led indicator tells me all my connections are good and supplying ample power, yet I can barely hear speaker. I've used 2 types of speaker wires, swapped left to right, reversed polarity so many times I can't remember, yet still nothing changes. This is the 2nd amp I've tried this with. Full powered gain barely makes a difference. And I have the fade to full rear. I've swapped speakers and get same result. Can anybody shed some insight? Is there something special that must be done to get a strong signal to the rears? Basically, I'm lost, and hooking up speaker(s) has never been such a pain. I hooked up a PBR300x2 in the front along with Polks and it all went perfect. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-14-2014, 10:54 PM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Do you have a good ground to the amp? __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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04-15-2014, 07:36 PM	#6
HwyRider Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Shore, MA Posts: 4,629	You may just have a bad amp even though it lights up. __________________ VBA # 02424 VROC # 35971 2010 Nomad 1700 Metallic Diablo Black/Metallic Titanium
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04-15-2014, 09:37 PM	#8
HwyRider Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Shore, MA Posts: 4,629	I had a Rockford Fosgate PBR300x2 that did the same thing. I had purchased it through Amazon so there was no problem returning it for another. __________________ VBA # 02424 VROC # 35971 2010 Nomad 1700 Metallic Diablo Black/Metallic Titanium
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04-17-2014, 11:31 AM	#13
Boscoe Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Jefferson City, Missouri Posts: 372	Sounds like a mismatched impedance issue? __________________ 2011 Voyager 1700, Ebony/Pearl Meteor Gray Bridgestone Exedra Max tires in stock sizes Heated Avon grips with Throttle Mod Cobra Scalloped Slip-ons Thunder Mfg. Intake Gasket DEI Titanium exhaust header wrap Corbin heated seat. Polk Audio db521 speakers Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10W-40 with Mobil 1 M1-110 filter Kuryakyn Longhorn Offset Dually Highway Pegs Chrome passenger running board covers All new fluids and lube.
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04-15-2014, 12:13 AM	#3
Arkie16 Jr. Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Magnolia, Arkansas Posts: 21	Are you using the RCA outputs from the head unit or using the high outputs? If using the RCA's try changing the cable between head unit and amp.
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04-16-2014, 05:46 PM	#10
ctc6698 Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Kings Mtn, NC Posts: 114	Hwy...I've already returned 1 with no problems for doing the same thing...did cost me $13 for return shipping. I'm hoping it's not another bad amp Big Dog....I have the fade control to full rear. But, if I go 1 click toward the front, the front speakers come thru loud and clear. Is there a mechanical adjustment on the headunit itself? Seems like I'm not getting a strong signal to the rear regardless of fade adjustment.
	0

04-16-2014, 07:08 PM	#11
Vulcan Hammer Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Southern Ontario, Canada Posts: 66	ctc6698, Some other thoughts that may or may not help... Since you are using the amp strictly for a sub, I would suspect that the cross-over threshold may be set too low, if it is even adjustable on that model. If it is too low, little or no signal will be sent to the speaker. If there is no rotary control for this there may be jumpers to reposition. Also, Dedicated Sub-Woofer speakers/drivers often include their own cross-over filter. I would try removing or disconnecting it (if present) to see if any signal gets through.
	0

04-18-2014, 08:01 PM	#15
ctc6698 Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Kings Mtn, NC Posts: 114	Well.....took amp and sub to local car stereo dealer and had them bench test the two. BOTH passed with flying colors which points me back to bike. Went to closest Kawi dealer to discuss. Only guy there who knows anything just left and wants me to come back tomorrow (20 mile drive). Got pissed and drove 30 miles to next dealer. "we don't know much about the Vaquero, just did some basic service on a couple,....let me find, heck we don't even have a manual on it". Are you freakin kidding me????? So, I guess I'll check a few more things out on my on then if need take the Kawasaki to the car stereo guys, not the Kawasaki service technicians (words used with sarcasm) But, I have to wonder who the hell I would take it to if I had a major problem?
	0