Garmin VIB 11 to amplifier. Noisy + Pops
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Garmin VIB 11 to amplifier. Noisy + Pops
Hi all,
Just finished installing an amp and component set on the car. Took me a good part of 3 days to get it all done, but it's all in there.
Haven't tested it exhaustively, but the sound is ok, especially considering the setup.
As mentioned in the title, I am using a Garmin VIB 11, which is a Vehicle Integration Box, which appears to behave like a parrot bluetooth kit, in that when it needs to say something, it cuts out the audio, and plays its prompts through the speakers. It was the best compromise for me of having a satnav solution with a decent sized display plus being actually able to hear it.
It worked reasonably well before, but with the amp installed, am running into a few problems.
Because the VIB 11 sits between the head unit and speakers, I figured to use a Line Out Converter which sits after the VIB 11 and goes to the amplifier. So I spliced the speaker outputs from the VIB 11 to the Line Out Converter and routed the RCA outputs from that to the amplifier. Also grounded the Line Out Converter.
As I mentioned, just some quick testing and the sound is ok, needs some fine tuning but you need to place your ear to the speakers to hear the slight noise. Not an issue once the car is running.
The prompts from the nav though, are a problem. They pop everytime they come in and out, and have a distinct humming when they come through. The prompts themselves are still distinguishable, but both the pops and humming are noticeable.
Not sure what more I can describe but was hoping if anyone with the know how can direct me to potential sources to the problem. It could be a number of things which is what I'm fearing.
Even then, I can't check the results straights away. I have (had) a Garmin Nuvi 765t which decided to conk out as I was testing it just now. Some strange "GPS updating" message was constantly appearing and after switching off, now it's bricked. Sent a message to Garmin and I suspect it will need to be replaced.
Installing the sound system took me a great deal of time, having never done it before, and the finishing line was so close
Just finished installing an amp and component set on the car. Took me a good part of 3 days to get it all done, but it's all in there.
Haven't tested it exhaustively, but the sound is ok, especially considering the setup.
As mentioned in the title, I am using a Garmin VIB 11, which is a Vehicle Integration Box, which appears to behave like a parrot bluetooth kit, in that when it needs to say something, it cuts out the audio, and plays its prompts through the speakers. It was the best compromise for me of having a satnav solution with a decent sized display plus being actually able to hear it.
It worked reasonably well before, but with the amp installed, am running into a few problems.
Because the VIB 11 sits between the head unit and speakers, I figured to use a Line Out Converter which sits after the VIB 11 and goes to the amplifier. So I spliced the speaker outputs from the VIB 11 to the Line Out Converter and routed the RCA outputs from that to the amplifier. Also grounded the Line Out Converter.
As I mentioned, just some quick testing and the sound is ok, needs some fine tuning but you need to place your ear to the speakers to hear the slight noise. Not an issue once the car is running.
The prompts from the nav though, are a problem. They pop everytime they come in and out, and have a distinct humming when they come through. The prompts themselves are still distinguishable, but both the pops and humming are noticeable.
Not sure what more I can describe but was hoping if anyone with the know how can direct me to potential sources to the problem. It could be a number of things which is what I'm fearing.
Even then, I can't check the results straights away. I have (had) a Garmin Nuvi 765t which decided to conk out as I was testing it just now. Some strange "GPS updating" message was constantly appearing and after switching off, now it's bricked. Sent a message to Garmin and I suspect it will need to be replaced.
Installing the sound system took me a great deal of time, having never done it before, and the finishing line was so close
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: SoCal
I had this same problem when I was running a powered sub (all-in-one).
This thread was helpful:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...0&#entry2959860
This thread was helpful:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...0&#entry2959860
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Joined: May 2009
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Managed to fix the Garming by disconnecting the battery (risking the warranty but oh well) and have been experimenting again.
First idea was to try grounding the VIB 11 to different points. No success, the humming is still there.
Reduced the gain on the amp to minimum and the popping is less noticeable. It is still there, seeing the speaker cone move in a way consistent with the popping. Moved the gains about less than half now so I can at least appreciate the music. The popping is still there, not as serious. But the humming remains.
There's very little resources about the VIB 11, but from my guess, it has it's internal amplifier, and that outputs to the speakers directly. I am guessing, that amplified signal, plus the amplifier also doing its thing, is emphasising the humming sound.
There's a wire on the VIB 11 called "output level" which apparently when grounded outputs low level audio, which is suggested when going to an amplifier. All that has done is reduce the volume of the voice prompts (the useful stuff) but the humming noise remains the same.
Would a ground loop isolator reduce that humming? Or are there other possible filters that could be used? Would a better Line Out Converter be a possibility? I've seen some that say "eliminate noise and pops" but that might just be them trying to sell them.
The VIB 11 manual mentions:
CAUTION: The VIB speaker outputs are differential. Connect the VIB speaker outputs directly to the vehicle's speakers or to a high-level audio input on an amplifier. Audible pops may be heard if the VIB is not installed correctly.
What does differential mean? My Alpine PDX does not have high level inputs, which is why I opted for the Line Out Converter, which surely would do the same thing whether it was built into the amp or not? Certainly, I must have installed it incorrectly due to the "audible pops".
First idea was to try grounding the VIB 11 to different points. No success, the humming is still there.
Reduced the gain on the amp to minimum and the popping is less noticeable. It is still there, seeing the speaker cone move in a way consistent with the popping. Moved the gains about less than half now so I can at least appreciate the music. The popping is still there, not as serious. But the humming remains.
There's very little resources about the VIB 11, but from my guess, it has it's internal amplifier, and that outputs to the speakers directly. I am guessing, that amplified signal, plus the amplifier also doing its thing, is emphasising the humming sound.
There's a wire on the VIB 11 called "output level" which apparently when grounded outputs low level audio, which is suggested when going to an amplifier. All that has done is reduce the volume of the voice prompts (the useful stuff) but the humming noise remains the same.
Would a ground loop isolator reduce that humming? Or are there other possible filters that could be used? Would a better Line Out Converter be a possibility? I've seen some that say "eliminate noise and pops" but that might just be them trying to sell them.
The VIB 11 manual mentions:
CAUTION: The VIB speaker outputs are differential. Connect the VIB speaker outputs directly to the vehicle's speakers or to a high-level audio input on an amplifier. Audible pops may be heard if the VIB is not installed correctly.
What does differential mean? My Alpine PDX does not have high level inputs, which is why I opted for the Line Out Converter, which surely would do the same thing whether it was built into the amp or not? Certainly, I must have installed it incorrectly due to the "audible pops".
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Ok just went for a quick drive and just dialled in my voicemail to get the VIB 11 constantly outputting to the speakers. The humming changes pitch according to revs on the engine. It's engine/alternator whine that's affecting the humming. Removing that would sort out the humming, then it's just the popping.
Is it strange that this only affects the VIB 11 output and not the actual normal music output from the head unit?
Is it strange that this only affects the VIB 11 output and not the actual normal music output from the head unit?
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Raleigh, NC
sounds like your not supposed to be using this device how you have it installed.
Its supposed to go directly to the speakers or to a speaker level input. Since you dont have that your probably introducing some type of ground loop. You should try a ground loop isolator. If that doesnt work then honestly i'd probably eliminate the whole deal and just go with a gps with an external speaker.
I honestly get tired of hearing voice directions with my GPS and end up muting it. Its easy enough to just look at the screen to see where to turn.
Its supposed to go directly to the speakers or to a speaker level input. Since you dont have that your probably introducing some type of ground loop. You should try a ground loop isolator. If that doesnt work then honestly i'd probably eliminate the whole deal and just go with a gps with an external speaker.
I honestly get tired of hearing voice directions with my GPS and end up muting it. Its easy enough to just look at the screen to see where to turn.
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Tried a ground loop isolator, plugged it into the line out converter and then to the RCA to the amp.
No effect. Music is the same quality and the VIB is still suffering from the alternator whine.
No effect. Music is the same quality and the VIB is still suffering from the alternator whine.
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Only one thing left for me to try now is to upgrade the negative battery terminal to use the same gauge as the amp. Will be trying that sometime next week.
Just had a thought. The Line Out Converter when dealing with normal music is taking it from the head unit, a standard speaker level signal. No problems.
As I've mentioned, the VIB speaker outputs are apparently differential.
I am pulling this out of nowhere, but if the VIB's output is differential, then is it possible for the negative input(s) to be grounded in the Line Out Converter and not considered as signal, thus causing the noise? Or is that all nonsense?
If that is so, then I'd need a Line Out Converter capable of handling both types of speaker signal. Does such a thing exist?
Just had a thought. The Line Out Converter when dealing with normal music is taking it from the head unit, a standard speaker level signal. No problems.
As I've mentioned, the VIB speaker outputs are apparently differential.
I am pulling this out of nowhere, but if the VIB's output is differential, then is it possible for the negative input(s) to be grounded in the Line Out Converter and not considered as signal, thus causing the noise? Or is that all nonsense?
If that is so, then I'd need a Line Out Converter capable of handling both types of speaker signal. Does such a thing exist?
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