New Tweeter Problems
 

Hey everyone. I just installed some Polk Audio db1001 tweeters today. These were a major upgrade from my cheaper Rockford Fostgate tweeters. With my new tweeters, I ran into some problems that my Rockfords didn't have.

Problem 1: The tweeters now have a crackle every time the bass drops. This is something my rockfords never did. I have a feeling its cause I didn't install what I think are the bass blockers which are shown on the attached image.

Problem 2: There is a slight white noise sound in the background. When there is no music and the volume is turned up, you can really hear it. Even when playing something, it can be faintly heard. I think its called ground loop noise?

Please let me know any fixes to these issues. Thanks! :tiphat:

The "bass blockers" are crossovers, which have various components such as capacitors with an inductor following, aka as a "high pass" filter. The cap blocks the lows and the inductor following routes any low frequencies that leak past to ground. Low frequencies can damage the tweeter with heat and vibration.

The reason you're hearing the hiss is the new tweeter may be louder than the others. Tweeters only reveal noise, not manufacture it.

Another part of a crossover is a resistor, this resistor drops the level of the tweeter to match the cone speakers which aren't as efficient.

without seeing your setup I'm not sure... you really ought to use the crossover that came with the tweeters and get that set up correctly and then re-evaluate the setup.

BAF may have used these drivers and know all about the xovers.

Thanks Fountainhead! I figured I ought to put the capacitors on... I'll need to go wire them in when I have some free time. I'm such a noob when it comes to audio. I'm tryin thought.

If you don't, you're likely gonna be buyin' new tweeters soon... those low frequencies can damage them.

Assuming you're running these off the headunit, not an external amplifier?

you definitely need to add the caps to those tweeters.
.. ground loop noise, or alternator noise will change frequencies when the engine is at different rpms, and is fixed by grounding. White noise is likely a product of incorrect amplifier gain setting (too high), and can be heard without engine running.

I have an amp, but the tweets are currently running through the headunit. I guess I'll keep it turned off until I install my capacitor. Thanks for the input everyone! I'll play with my gains to get rid of the white noise. :tiphat:

Elan as I was talking to you in PM about, I still suggest upgrading the whole set instead of trying to swap out the RF tweeters for the polks. As I also stated it could work however your 1st problem is from what I stated that the RF crossover was probably crossing the tweeter differently than what the polk should be crossed at. Your going to get way better sound doing a full component set rather than trying to piece together a Frankenstein set.

Thank you Big. I am just trying to keep it at a budget. Hopefully installing the Polk capacitor will fix my problem.

Mmmm.... I suppose this is very situational, and the OP obviously is pretty new to the game, not ready for the whole mix and match thing.

Personally, I find much much much much (how many of these can I add???) better results mixing and matching, using more sophisticated crossover and EQ options than you're going to find out of the box on just about any retail component set.

Only adding this, not to start an argument, but to let others know, if you are looking to step up in the game, simply buying what's offered out there as a "package" really limits your options.

I'm an active-crossed DIY kinda guy. :D

Yeah we pull our car into the lab and put the Klippel mic KLIPPEL in the car and curve it that way. Well, first we curve the drivers and then build the crossover to suit the driver...lots of fun but not everyone has something like a klippel, but you know, the stuff you can get on an iPhone/Android now is pretty amazing.

As others have mentioned you really need the high-pass filter installed. Tweeters cannot handle DC-to-low-frequency signals. It will cause them to overheat and possibly over-travel.

That sounds like amplifier noise. The gain may be set too high on the pre-amp (and/or possibly the amp). Or you may just have a noisy (pre-)amp and the new speakers are reproducing the hiss better.

I really do appreciate the help everyone. Me and electronics don't get along. Anyways, I got a Sub on order and me and my buddy who does car audio work are going to wire it up and get it all taken care of. Just annoying because I can't listen to music as I don't want to damage the tweeter. I was in a rush and it shows. :P

Allow me to clarify, I to run active and completely agree you can get great sound with mixing drivers. however mixing and matching drivers with a passive system with pre set oct and crossovers is not the same. There are some crossovers out there that allow you to change things such as the one that comes with focal utopias. Lower end crossovers however I think he's asking for trouble.

Absolutely.