Blowing subs over and over - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

strutton · 10-22-2014, 11:19 PM

2014 2SS/RS Vert
Amp 1&2: Kenwood Excelon XR600-1 (class D) Mono 600 watts RMS at 2 ohms
Subs:
Sub 1,2&3: Memphis Audio 15-MCR10D4 - 10" - 300/600 RMS/Peak
Sub 4:Memphis Audio 15-M510D4 - 10" - 400/800 RMS/Peak
******** FARK
******** Stealth Enclosure for vert

- Amp1 and Sub1 lasted about a month. Sub went out and smelled burnt.

- Sub2 was installed. 10 min later sub went out.

Thinking that it was the amp not the sub we replaced both.

- Amp 2 was installed with Sub3, sub went out after a week - didn't smell burnt

At this point it was determined the Suothump box was too small for Subs1-3 so we upgraded the sub to a better model that would work with the smaller airspace. Also we installed ground loop isolater on the amp per this forum re the 6vDC current on the line.

-Amp2 and Sub4 went out after a week. No burnt smell.

All of this work is being done by a very reputable shop who's been in business for over 20 years. Also I have the exact same amp/sub combo in my Chevy truck installed by the same shop with zero problems.

Shop thinks there's something up with the output from the head unit or something with the fark.

Thoughts?

strutton · 10-23-2014, 01:06 AM

Fwiw I also have a Kenwood Excelon XR400-4 - 75 watts RMS x 4, bridged (150 watts) driving a set of Focal 165 AS3 components. This is also connected from the FARK and has had zero trouble since day one.

baum · 10-23-2014, 05:38 AM

so if im reading this right. you have 3 subs hooked up to one amp, then 1 hooked up the other?

or do you have 2 and 2?

how do you have the voice coils wired? what is the final impedance of each sub? is the chamber in the sub box all 1 or is there separate for each sub? since you are running multiple subs with multiple amps they should each have their own chambers or else they will be fighting each other.

jgray1978 · 10-23-2014, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baum

so if im reading this right. you have 3 subs hooked up to one amp, then 1 hooked up the other?

or do you have 2 and 2?

how do you have the voice coils wired? what is the final impedance of each sub? is the chamber in the sub box all 1 or is there separate for each sub? since you are running multiple subs with multiple amps they should each have their own chambers or else they will be fighting each other.

I think that his setup is one amp and one sub. He is listing how many times they have been replaced/failed.

Superfly1 · 10-23-2014, 07:05 AM

What level is the amp at? If you are running a 600 watt RMS amp full blast (or even 3/4) into a 300-400 RMS sub you are going to blow it every time. Find yourself a good 600 watt RMS sub and run the amp just below max. It should last a lot longer that way. I run a Rockford Fosgate 550.2 (550 RMS @ 2ohm) amp bridged into a Alpine Type R 600RMS sub and I have been pounding on it for 6 years and it still sounds great. Make sure if you get a dual voice coil sub you get one with 4ohm coils so you can wire the sub to 2 ohm. All will be happy...

strutton · 10-23-2014, 08:43 AM

Yes I've gone through 4 subs individually. The amp is set at an appropriate level for the sub. In fact I have this identical setup in my truck.

Superfly1 · 10-23-2014, 09:07 AM

Has they tried hooking up the amp through something other than the FARK? I run mine through a line out convertor off the rear speakers.

c5dreamer · 10-23-2014, 08:57 PM

you are over powering all those subs, match up rms on amps to rms on subs

richard200593 · 10-23-2014, 10:12 PM

I have an older version of your amp the excelon kac-x10d it is 600watt rms also and have had it hooked up to an older fosgate t1 12' sub and it has lasted over 7 years with no issues and pretty impressive bass for the price point.

strutton · 10-24-2014, 01:27 PM

Ok I think we got to the root of it. Using a DD1 device we were able to measure distortion levels. Apparently in the 40hz range with only a ground loop isolator between the FARK and amp, we are distorting with volume at 6, by adding a LOC at the highest setting we are able to take the volume to 26 without distortion. Also strange is that in the 1Khz range no distortion was registered volume up to 25 without he LOC. To play it safe we are combining the LOC with the isolator and retuning he amp gains with a DD1.

IMO anyone who uses a FARK should treat the line outs as high output. While Steve at ******** recommends using a ground loop isolator, I think you should add a LOC to play it safe. Hopefully this sub (number 5) will survive.

H-E · 10-24-2014, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superfly1

What level is the amp at? If you are running a 600 watt RMS amp full blast (or even 3/4) into a 300-400 RMS sub you are going to blow it every time. Find yourself a good 600 watt RMS sub and run the amp just below max. It should last a lot longer that way. I run a Rockford Fosgate 550.2 (550 RMS @ 2ohm) amp bridged into a Alpine Type R 600RMS sub and I have been pounding on it for 6 years and it still sounds great. Make sure if you get a dual voice coil sub you get one with 4ohm coils so you can wire the sub to 2 ohm. All will be happy...

Quote:

Originally Posted by c5dreamer

you are over powering all those subs, match up rms on amps to rms on subs

It's a lot harder to tear up a sub with too much power than not enuff.Hes power is fine, the amp is 600 at 2ohm, the sub is 4ohm so it's getting 300, which it is right on the money.

strutton · 10-24-2014, 07:14 PM

So I think the problem has something to do with the hot/dirty line out from the headunit/FARK. We added the LOCs with the Ground Loops. Of course now the line power is greatly reduced and the amps gains are cranked and the speakers aren't as loud as they should be. But I think the lines are cleaner so we are going to add a powered signal booster and retest he distortion levels with the DD1. Wonder why this is such a difficult process for my 2014, haven't heard this much BS from other camaro owners.

c5dreamer · 10-25-2014, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H-E

It's a lot harder to tear up a sub with too much power than not enuff.Hes power is fine, the amp is 600 at 2ohm, the sub is 4ohm so it's getting 300, which it is right on the money.

i just looked up the Memphis Audio 15-MCR10D4 and its a dual 4ohm sub, wiring this up will be a 2ohm load.....amp puts out 600 at 2ohm, sub can only handle 300rms

2010SLVRBULIT · 10-25-2014, 01:09 PM

so you're saying distortion is killing your subs? You need to re-do your set-up to get a clean
low pass signal from your head unit to your amp(s).

10-22-2014, 11:19 PM	#1
strutton SStrutt Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS/RS Convertible L99 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Villa Rica Posts: 73 View My Garage	Blowing subs over and over 2014 2SS/RS Vert Amp 1&2: Kenwood Excelon XR600-1 (class D) Mono 600 watts RMS at 2 ohms Subs: Sub 1,2&3: Memphis Audio 15-MCR10D4 - 10" - 300/600 RMS/Peak Sub 4:Memphis Audio 15-M510D4 - 10" - 400/800 RMS/Peak ****** FARK ****** Stealth Enclosure for vert - Amp1 and Sub1 lasted about a month. Sub went out and smelled burnt. - Sub2 was installed. 10 min later sub went out. Thinking that it was the amp not the sub we replaced both. - Amp 2 was installed with Sub3, sub went out after a week - didn't smell burnt At this point it was determined the Suothump box was too small for Subs1-3 so we upgraded the sub to a better model that would work with the smaller airspace. Also we installed ground loop isolater on the amp per this forum re the 6vDC current on the line. -Amp2 and Sub4 went out after a week. No burnt smell. All of this work is being done by a very reputable shop who's been in business for over 20 years. Also I have the exact same amp/sub combo in my Chevy truck installed by the same shop with zero problems. Shop thinks there's something up with the output from the head unit or something with the fark. Thoughts?

10-23-2014, 07:05 AM	#5
Superfly1 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2LT #2197 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 916 View My Garage	What level is the amp at? If you are running a 600 watt RMS amp full blast (or even 3/4) into a 300-400 RMS sub you are going to blow it every time. Find yourself a good 600 watt RMS sub and run the amp just below max. It should last a lot longer that way. I run a Rockford Fosgate 550.2 (550 RMS @ 2ohm) amp bridged into a Alpine Type R 600RMS sub and I have been pounding on it for 6 years and it still sounds great. Make sure if you get a dual voice coil sub you get one with 4ohm coils so you can wire the sub to 2 ohm. All will be happy... __________________ CAI intake \| OBX LT Headers \| Flowmaster AT Exhaust \| Trifecta Tune \| SS Rear Diff, Axles & Driveshaft Zex 100 Shot Nitrous \| Konig Airstrike Wheels \| Custom Engine Cover, Fuse Box & Underhood Bowtie Eibach Springs & SS Sway Bars \| BMR Strut Brace \| Drake Shifter \| Vitesse Paddles \| 13.26 @ 105.88 mph

10-23-2014, 09:07 AM	#7
Superfly1 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2LT #2197 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 916 View My Garage	Has they tried hooking up the amp through something other than the FARK? I run mine through a line out convertor off the rear speakers. __________________ CAI intake \| OBX LT Headers \| Flowmaster AT Exhaust \| Trifecta Tune \| SS Rear Diff, Axles & Driveshaft Zex 100 Shot Nitrous \| Konig Airstrike Wheels \| Custom Engine Cover, Fuse Box & Underhood Bowtie Eibach Springs & SS Sway Bars \| BMR Strut Brace \| Drake Shifter \| Vitesse Paddles \| 13.26 @ 105.88 mph

10-23-2014, 10:12 PM	#9
richard200593 Drives: 2012 45th Anniversary RS Join Date: May 2012 Location: California Posts: 887 View My Garage	I have an older version of your amp the excelon kac-x10d it is 600watt rms also and have had it hooked up to an older fosgate t1 12' sub and it has lasted over 7 years with no issues and pretty impressive bass for the price point. __________________ Performance: mrt v2.0 exhaust/CAI Intake Cosmetic: Zl1 factory Reproduction wheels Bmr 1.2/1.4 springs/Oracle plasma drl lights, footwell ambient lighting, 45th Gobo lights Audio: Memphis pr600 amp/Fosgate 12" t0 sub/******* stealth box

10-23-2014, 01:06 AM	#2
strutton SStrutt Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS/RS Convertible L99 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Villa Rica Posts: 73 View My Garage	Fwiw I also have a Kenwood Excelon XR400-4 - 75 watts RMS x 4, bridged (150 watts) driving a set of Focal 165 AS3 components. This is also connected from the FARK and has had zero trouble since day one.

10-23-2014, 05:38 AM	#3
baum Drives: 2013 1LS, 2013 Ram 1500 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Minneapolis, mn Posts: 645	so if im reading this right. you have 3 subs hooked up to one amp, then 1 hooked up the other? or do you have 2 and 2? how do you have the voice coils wired? what is the final impedance of each sub? is the chamber in the sub box all 1 or is there separate for each sub? since you are running multiple subs with multiple amps they should each have their own chambers or else they will be fighting each other.

10-23-2014, 08:43 AM	#6
strutton SStrutt Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS/RS Convertible L99 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Villa Rica Posts: 73 View My Garage	Yes I've gone through 4 subs individually. The amp is set at an appropriate level for the sub. In fact I have this identical setup in my truck.

10-23-2014, 08:57 PM	#8
c5dreamer Drives: Tacoma/2LTRS Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: CA Posts: 177	you are over powering all those subs, match up rms on amps to rms on subs

10-24-2014, 01:27 PM	#10
strutton SStrutt Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS/RS Convertible L99 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Villa Rica Posts: 73 View My Garage	Ok I think we got to the root of it. Using a DD1 device we were able to measure distortion levels. Apparently in the 40hz range with only a ground loop isolator between the FARK and amp, we are distorting with volume at 6, by adding a LOC at the highest setting we are able to take the volume to 26 without distortion. Also strange is that in the 1Khz range no distortion was registered volume up to 25 without he LOC. To play it safe we are combining the LOC with the isolator and retuning he amp gains with a DD1. IMO anyone who uses a FARK should treat the line outs as high output. While Steve at ******** recommends using a ground loop isolator, I think you should add a LOC to play it safe. Hopefully this sub (number 5) will survive.

10-24-2014, 07:14 PM	#12
strutton SStrutt Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS/RS Convertible L99 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Villa Rica Posts: 73 View My Garage	So I think the problem has something to do with the hot/dirty line out from the headunit/FARK. We added the LOCs with the Ground Loops. Of course now the line power is greatly reduced and the amps gains are cranked and the speakers aren't as loud as they should be. But I think the lines are cleaner so we are going to add a powered signal booster and retest he distortion levels with the DD1. Wonder why this is such a difficult process for my 2014, haven't heard this much BS from other camaro owners.

10-25-2014, 01:09 PM	#14
2010SLVRBULIT Drives: G5(LLT) & C6(LS3) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: MARS Posts: 7,527 View My Garage	so you're saying distortion is killing your subs? You need to re-do your set-up to get a clean low pass signal from your head unit to your amp(s).