2007 Calais V Great Car. Really bad audio!

[joshvev]

First time Holden owner today, 2007 Calais V.
So far I'm extremely happy with my purchase, except for the audio system.

The stock speakers are at constant distortion stage.
I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to car audio. So i don't no if i have to just change the speakers,
add an amp, or upgrade the whole system.

Any suggestions of what i should change/install and where i should go, or if it's even possible.

Thanks in Advance

Josh

[HCVP]

I suspect someone has played around with the settings, or something is broken, blown. If you don't know much about audio then chances are you haven't heard that many audio systems either, so i find it hard to beleive that the standard setup could sound so bad to you, especially as you haven't outlined anything in particular.

For most people, factory audio systems are fine, and some even measure up quite good.

So how about to start with go through all the settings, if you unsure on what adjustments can / should be made, write down the settings for each and post back, and we can go from there. Let's look at spending money as a last resort.

[StoneX]

Yeah, my Calais V system sounds fine up to reasonably high levels where you couldn't hear the passenger talking. It's fairly well balanced too, more balanced than many aftermarket systems I've heard.

So either as said above, something must be faulty or the EQ is messed up and you're turning the volume knob too far clockwise.

[joshvev]

Sorry i should have been clearer, I have no idea about the inside working of the speakers.
All settings are set to try and achieve little distortion (Bass at "-2" Treple "-0" Loudness- No Eq boost- No).

I understand most stock speakers are designed to be adequate for most people, but since this is a second hand car i don't no how the previous owners treated the speakers, as some of the speakers have distortion at almost all volume levels, I'm guessing it was used at high levels allot.

[StoneX]

If speakers are distorting at all volumes then they are damaged and need to be replaced.

[joshvev]

You'v been no help at all, get ya post count up on someone else's thread

[Crisis63]

Actually what he said sounds about right. If the speakers are distorting at all levels they may be damaged. . That or the amp in your head unit is cactus. Paper cones are not inherently durable and they may have been in contact with moisture I replace all speakers in all my cars as those supplied are the cheapest crap manufacturer can get away with. I have heard the VE systems are supposed to be better but I replaced a set in my mates car anyway and there is a marked improvement.
Is it on all sources, i.e. radio and CD etc?

[MAG00]

If it audibly distorted then the speakers themselves are damaged or the headunit amps are damaged. To trouble shoot the issue: hook up a new speaker. If it distorts it's the headunit, if it doesn't distort it's the speakers. Also, try using a different source. Try a CD, the radio and if available an AUX device (MP3, iPod, phone etc.)

Three solutions depending on the issue:
Replace the headunit (if it is at fault).
Get the ASR RCA mod completed, which is done at the pre amp stage, so that you can feed the undistorted signal to another amplifier.
Replace the speakers (if they are at fault).

I find it hard to believe that absolutely every speaker is damaged and distorting at low volumes, carefully listen to each speaker for distortion. If all speakers are distorting at low volumes, then my money would be on the headunit being at fault.

[HCVP]

You'v been no help at all, get ya post count up on someone else's thread

I'm surprised that even you got 2 more responses after that comment, especially considering the person you directed your comment at. You obviously know fk all, so you can do with all the advice you can get. You won't get no more from me though.

[MAG00]

I'm surprised that even you got 2 more responses after that comment, especially considering the person you directed your comment at. You obviously know fk all, so you can do with all the advice you can get. You won't get no more from me though.

Stone has been trollin and hatin on me, so I don't care if he gets hated on

[sweefu]

Play nice, kiddies. OP, listen to the advice given above, this is my opinion also.

[joshvev]

Your not help anyway! The other posts were helpfull, The way everyone (regulars) reply to posts on this forum is very condescending. People don't know the answers or the questions hence why they come to the forum, not to be put down.

Not everyone with a commodore is a dck!!

[StoneX]

My reply wasn't condescending at all.

You replied to me ruling out an EQ issue and stating that "some of the speakers have distortion at almost all volume levels" which indicates some of the speakers are faulty so I replied confirming that.

What more can I do for you? Would you like me to attempt to fix it through my computer screen?

[morphix]

As suggested, if distortion occurs at all volume levels, could be head unit or speakers are damaged, testing new speakers could either confirm if the speakers are the problems or the head unit.

Off Topic....
TBH, my VZ SV6's stock speakers sounded pretty good for stock, to the point i shoved them in my other car once i upgraded my head unit and new speakers in the VZ, which had speakers which were fully broken (no music, just paper flaping noises)

[MAG00]

Read my post for your answer. No need to comment back until you thank us for our help. Have a good day.