Stereo gremlins...

[Speedmaster]

So, I bought a used stereo for the car. It seems to be in okay condition.

Problem is, when I play the radio it takes awhile for the speakers to "warm-up" and get some volume/lose some crackling. Today I threw in a replacement center/footwell speaker. No change in performance.

But, here is where the gremlins come in...when I play a CD, the music sounds much richer, crisper and louder. Here, take a listen:

[video]<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvidmg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv370%2FMGB-IV%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2F1421537738_zpsebdbf5e6.mp4&title=" height="361" width="600">[/video]

http://vidmg.photobucket.com/albums/v370/MGB-IV/Mobile Uploads/1421537738_zpsebdbf5e6.mp4

Here is the language in the electronics manual for the 1991:



My question is this...would the center speaker (and entire performance) be affected by one speaker? I.e. if the passenger door speaker was shot, would that impact the other speakers proper performance?

 

[Hapa88]

Wait, when you say a "used stereo", do you mean a used OEM stereo or an aftermarket stereo?

The amplifier in the footwell speaker powers the footwell speaker and also powers the center speaker. The left speaker amplifier only powers the left, and the right amplifier the right.. So if you have crackling only in one speaker, it's probably that amplifier. If it's in all, it could be your headunit.

In all cases, if the OEM stereo components are original then they all most likely will need to be refurbished. It's a common issue with the capacitors inside to burst and need replacement. You can do it yourself if you are electronically inclined, or have someone else do it.

Three places that can help you restore you pieces:
1) http://www.scienceofspeed.com/produ...nce_products/NSX/electronic_repair/amplifier/
2) http://nsxe-repair.com/Speaker.html
3) http://www.willmanselectronics.com/nsx.htm

 

[Speedmaster]

Wait, when you say a "used stereo", do you mean a used OEM stereo or an aftermarket stereo?

The amplifier in the footwell speaker powers the footwell speaker and also powers the center speaker. The left speaker amplifier only powers the left, and the right amplifier the right.. So if you have crackling only in one speaker, it's probably that amplifier. If it's in all, it could be your headunit.

In all cases, if the OEM stereo components are original then they all most likely will need to be refurbished. It's a common issue with the capacitors inside to burst and need replacement. You can do it yourself if you are electronically inclined, or have someone else do it.

Three places that can help you restore you pieces:
1) http://www.scienceofspeed.com/produ...nce_products/NSX/electronic_repair/amplifier/
2) http://nsxe-repair.com/Speaker.html
3) http://www.willmanselectronics.com/nsx.htm

Hapa88 -
Answers/responses in order.
Used, OEM stereo that looks to be in pretty good shape.
I have worked with BrianK before to rebuild an amp. He did a great job. I have not had any head units checked or repaired. That might be the right angle, test all the components separately to see which is bad. Any ideas on how to do that?
BTW, my question from above was this. Can one bad speaker (i.e. the passenger door) affect the performance of the driver's door or center/footwell speaker? Seems implausible, but I am curious.
Thanks,
Speedmaster

 

[Hapa88]

I don't believe the performance of one speaker has any relation to the other. There's only outputs from the headunit to each speaker and no outputs from any speaker to connect to any other speaker (other than the footwell speaker to the "center" speaker).

 

[NSX2398]

I agree wtih Hapa88. When you say that the radio has static but the CDs are much better, I'd suspect the head unit circuitry. The head unit will have a section for the radio functions and less for the CD since the player is in the truck and they probably won't share a lot of circuitry (there is no shared amp function because that function is in each door and in the sub) but once Brian opens it up, I don't think he knows which section is which and it's probably better to let him replace all the caps anyway.

 

[ThumperAC]

I have a similar issue with my OEM headunit. The sound from the radio would be very soft when first turned on and after about 10 minutes the sound level would be louder and normal. Right before I put my car away for the winter, I had no sound at all from the radio, it still would power on and I could change stations, just no sound at all. The previous owner had the amps rebuilt by Brian about 5 years, so I am assuming it is something in the headunit.

I am curious if you were able to diagnose the problem.

 

[Speedmaster]

I have a similar issue with my OEM headunit. The sound from the radio would be very soft when first turned on and after about 10 minutes the sound level would be louder and normal. Right before I put my car away for the winter, I had no sound at all from the radio, it still would power on and I could change stations, just no sound at all. The previous owner had the amps rebuilt by Brian about 5 years, so I am assuming it is something in the headunit.

I am curious if you were able to diagnose the problem.

ThumperAC

I have not diagnosed it. I need to take the head unit out again. Before I do, the bigger issue is finding someone local that will work on it. It is turning out to be a big job finding anyone willing to bench test and repair it.

When/if I get there...