Wanted: Radio help...............

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Dec 13, 2010 | 03:26 PM

JanMan99

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: May 2007

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From: Chandler AZ

Wanted: Radio help...............

I have a '99 FRC with the factory radio & Bose speakers.

I get distortion, mainly on AM stations & a few FM's.

Has anyone had this problem & if so how did you fix it ?

I'm not a boombox guy, would like to just fix the original equipment if possible....any advice is appreciated.

Dec 13, 2010 | 04:34 PM

skyavonee

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From: Los Angeles

This should prob be posted in the Audio/Electronics forum...

Can you elaborate on "distortion"? Is there any hissing or popping? Does it seem to be concentrated in the bass frequencies, or is it affecting pretty much the entire audible range? Is it more present at low volumes, high volumes, or is it volume-independent? If you have a CD player, is this also affected or is it just the radio?

Dec 13, 2010 | 04:39 PM

dgrant3830

Tech Contributor

Joined: Dec 2006

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From: Van Buren Arkansas

Wounded Warrior Escort '11

Probably the head unit but not sure. I'm too having a distortion issue with the FM but just got the discs in the player reset, so will continue identifying if its the head unit or the amplifier.

Dec 13, 2010 | 04:42 PM

JanMan99

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 1,411

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From: Chandler AZ

Thanks for the tip to put in audio/electronics, did not think of that. I will give that a shot.

Best description of distortion is a type of "fuzzy/growly" type feedback.
Sorry, that's not the best description, but I have tried to adjust everything available on the radio, Bass, Treble, Fade, etc.

I keep thinking it might be the speakers, but obviously I'm no an expert.

No problems playing a CD.

Last edited by JanMan99; Dec 13, 2010 at 04:43 PM. Reason: added info.

Dec 13, 2010 | 04:47 PM

jedblanks

Safety Car

Joined: Dec 2004

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From: Santa Fe TX

I replaced my door tweeters with aftermarket. I think I spent maybe $50 and the sound quality is 100 times better than stock. I got the idea from a thread in the audio section. The distortion went away completely.

Dec 13, 2010 | 04:56 PM

skyavonee

Melting Slicks

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From: Los Angeles

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatCrackC5

No problems playing a CD.

If your problem were related to the speakers or amplifier then it should affect all audio sources. Sounds to me like it's a problem with the antenna or radio receiver, or something closely related. A loose connection somewhere could result in a fuzzy/growly sound.

Dec 13, 2010 | 05:13 PM

Vettmann17

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2010

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From: Long Island NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyavonee

If it were speaker/amp related then your CD's would sound distorted too. Sounds like the tuner in your head unit is going and it would probably be easier to just replace the head unit and call it day. You should follow what others have said too and post this in the audio section, maybe theres an easy fix we don't know about. Good luck bro!

Dec 13, 2010 | 06:11 PM

JanMan99

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 1,411

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From: Chandler AZ

Thanks to everyone who has replied. Some good info.

I have been reading some interesting threads in the audio section and may act on some of that information. Thanks again.