Why Speakers Make Noise When Car is Off?

The following are possible causes why your speakers are making noise despite the engine is off.

Electrical Interference

Anything that can distort or transmit signals like phones, power cables, or a plugged-in USB port can cause electrical interference. A problem may arise from something simple: leaving a mobile phone at the armhole near a speaker or as a result of some other power source that runs close to your speaker wiring. Electrical interference is often an issue with stereo systems fitted with an aftermarket amplifier.

If you have an amp installed, ensure the RCA cables that run from the amplifier to your head unit are not lying near the amplifier’s power wire. To fix the issue, you need to move either the RCA cables or power wires apart.

Poor Grounding of Stereo Equipment

Each stereo component needs grounding, including the head unit, amplifier, equalizer, and other installed components.  Grounding involves attaching a wire from the element to a bare metal bolt connected to the chassis. The ground wire should connect firmly, fix to a bare unpainted surface, and be as short as possible.

The grounding wire should also be thick as the wire that supplies power to the component. Ensure you check all the connections and consider installing a thicker wire if need be.

Stereo Receiving Power When Car is Off

You can try this with your engine off and keys removed, and turn the radio on. If the radio can switch on and play, your stereo system is receiving power from the battery. The random noise from the speaker can be a problem. You can fix it by switching off the radio before turning off your car.

Antenna Lead Noise

Check out and see if you are getting noise on all sources like playing CD, auxiliary /USB, AM, and FM. If the noise is there only on the radio, it’s mostly coming through the antenna lead. Try unplug the antenna. If the noise goes away, install an antenna noise suppressor. The filter plugs-in- the line between your receiver and your antenna breaking the ground path between them, thus preventing noise from entering your system.

Radiated Noise

If the noise isn’t from the antenna, try pulling the receiver from the dash while a CD is playing. If the noise isn’t present, the source is from your system due to the receiver’s proximity to a noise producer. The noise is known as sideways noise.

If the noise-causing accessory has a motor, you can install a noise filter on accessories power to minimize it. If the car computer is the issue, move the receiver’s wiring away from the accessory. You can use

Engine Noise or Alternator Whine

The noise comes through the power and ground wires connected to your receiver. The engine noise causes whining or clicking sound. Its pitch varies with engine speed.

To fix it, you can install an alternator noise filter on the battery and alternator’s power line to reduce the noise. Again, you can install a noise filter on the receiver’s power to cut down signal interference.

Noise in Patch Cables

RCA patch cables can pick noise as they connect to your components. To test this, detach the wires from your amp. Insert one side of a spare patch cable into amps left and right input jacks and turn on your system and engine. If there is no noise, reconnect the wires to the amp and disconnect them from the receiver. In case of any noise, your patch cables are the problem.

Ensure you separate them at least 18 inches from the power cables. Consider purchasing a better brand of patch cables with good insulation. The size of the cable loop may also affect the noise produced.

If the loop area is large, the patch cable will be more vulnerable to noise. Please purchase a thread with a twisted pair design as a smaller loop area has less noise.  Another option is installing a ground loop isolator between the receiver’s preamp output and your amp.

Noise in Speaker Wiring

If your speaker wires are of inferior quality or did the wiring poorly, the car radio may still receive power. Static noises may come from incorrectly wired speakers.

New Amplifier

An amplifier can cause noise into your system through the lousy ground or incorrect mounting. Rubber grommets or feet may help isolate the amplifier from the vehicle’s chassis, a potential noise source: you may consider installing a noise suppressor.

Check this too: Best 6×9 Car Speakers

Types of Noises Car Speakers Make

The following are noises made when the car engine is off;

• Static/ white noise can be from the speaker’s electrical system due to poorly patched cables or wiring.
• Clicking/whining sound: the noise can be due to low or ground wires connected to the receiver. The sound varies with the engine’s speed.
• Hissing sound: may be due to the electrical system.

Why Do My Speakers Pop When I Turn My Car Off?

A break in the circuit or loose connection will cause the system to pop, resulting in an irritating noise and danger to your speaker’s shelf life. The popping is a surge of electrical current jumping over a broken wire connection or a rise in the amplifier’s output settings.

How to Fix the Problem

• Locate the origin of the popping noises.
• Determine which speaker or speaker wires, amp, or equalizer has issues
• Adjust the amplifier and equalizer. If the noise is from one speaker only, adjust the amp, and if from many speakers, change the equalizer and amp settings—In case of any defects, you need to repair the components.
• If the tips above fail, try connecting a different speaker to check if the issues are in your speaker. When none of the above tips works, consider seeking professional help.

Why is there a Whining Sound from my Speakers When Accelerating?

It’s an engine noise that occurs most likely due to electrical interference from the alternator output. The noise from the alternator gets into your head unit through the power cables. You can fix the issue through the following;

• Fix a noise filter between the battery and alternator
• Install an inline noise filter in the head unit power cable

The tips will help prevent the noise from getting into your head unit and causing the speaker to whine.

Conclusion

The easiest way to avoid speaker issues when the car is off is by seeking professional services in installing your system. Again, ensure you invest in quality speakers, wiring system to avoid all sorts of interference. It may be costly, but it will save you a lot of money. The investment will silence a subwoofer that vibrates when the car is off.

Unfortunately, it can be challenging to know which speaker is right for you. With so many speakers in the market, you need thorough research to find out the best. This write-up gives you a list of the best speakers for sound quality.

Rockford R169X2

The speakers feature a sleek and flat-black design, which includes a glossy dome tweeter. The tweeters also have a perfect design that allows them to fit in most cars. Each speaker has a propylene woofer core responsible for strong drums and bass.

The woofer guarantees high-quality audio in midrange frequencies. The Rockford has a stamped stainless basket, which ensures its durability.

Features

• Vacuum polypropylene woofer cone
• 90dB sensitivity
• 48Hz -20 kHz frequency response
• 65 watts RMS a total of 130 watts peak power
• 4-ohm impedance

Pros  

• The package comes with every component for an easy installation
• Stainless steel basket improves its durability
• Amplifiers are unnecessary to play your music at a reasonable level
• Decent audio quality to enjoy music
• Includes a high pass crossover for the best highs

Cons

• The speakers are not waterproof

New Kicker 43 DSC69304 D-Series

It’s a low-profile powerhouse of music. The speakers blend into the background, yet their audio makes a significant impact: the speaker’s design shows quality and durability. The kicker is 3-way 6×9 car speakers. The woofer cone has polypropylene with ribbed polyester foam materials.

The woofer cone produces midrange and highs with drivers mounted on it. Both tweeters have 0.5″ PEI domed structures and require a top mount depth of 3.2 inches. The new kicker has a rating of 4ohms, 92d sensitivity, and RMS power can handle 180W per speaker.

The kicker pumps out very clear and open audio. The transparency reflects in the midrange, where vocals are free from the bass. Overall balance is impeccable, and bass present without overbearing. It’s the best 6X9 speakers of bass.

Features

• Two speakers, a powerful pair of motor vehicle stereo speakers
• Slim design; easy to install in sportier cars
• Bare minimum protrusion
• 40-ohm protrusion
• 70 watts RMS and 360 watts per peak power
• 92 dB sensitivity

Pros

• Balanced audio
• Exceptional  clarity
• Slim profile
• Extra spider grille inside for protection
• Super loud and clear
• Great bass production

Cons

• Cheap build quality

JBL GT0939

The speakers contain cones made with carbon-injected fibers, which allow accurate, good sound output. This speaker has high rating sensitivity of 94dB, which is among the highest.  Therefore, the loudest 6×9 speakers. They contain a great deal of power, and you can pair them up to an outboard amplifier.

The speaker has unique components like plus one woofer cone, which provides surface area while keeping the size constant. The high sensitivity rating enables the speakers to pair up with low powered stereo systems. The devices handle a large amount of power, making them compatible with outboard amplifiers.

The JBL is also easy to install and requires no special tools. The plus one technology that the cone features, allow more air vibration in the surrounding, making the music sound brilliant. The tweeters are from Titanium-mylar Combo materials and help deliver clear highs.

Features

• Design 3-way
• 300 watts peak power
• RMS power: 100 watts
• Sensitivity : 94dB
• The frequency range of 46-21KHz
• The normal impedance of 30 ohm

Pros

• Carbon -injected woofers
• Adjustable tweeter level
• Vented magnetic assemblies for cooling
• The built-in soft dome tweeter
• Highs are clear, mids easy and natural bass big
• reasonably priced

Cons

• Peak power handling capacity is below average

Boss Audio CH6530

They are 3-way speakers, which gives a guarantee decent sound regardless of audio frequency. Each speaker delivers 150 watts, thus a total of 300.  Boss audio has polyurethane cones, aluminum voice coils, and rubber that surrounds.  It’s the best speaker that meets your needs and is known for producing high-quality sound.

Boss audio voice coils can withstand high temperatures. It’s has a piezoelectric tweeter. It’s more resistant to overloads, and you can use it without a crossover. The cone has polyurethane, a resilient, flexible, and durable material. The material allows the speakers to have maximum flexibility, produce excellent sound, and be long-lasting.

Features

• Full range of 6.5″ 3-way speaker pair
• 300 watts maximum, 150 watts RMS power per pair
• 100 Hz to 18kHz frequency response
• Poly injection woofer cone and rubber surround

Pros

• Decent sound quality
• Very affordable
• The foam- upgrade and poly cone improves durability

Cons

• Struggles with high frequencies

Pioneer TS-A6966

The speaker produces high improved sound quality. Pioneer have multilayer mic matrix cones, and lightweight elastic polymer surrounds. Their 3-way design combines three speakers in a single stand-alone and unit. The combination allows for better sound performance and provides a mid-range and strong bass.

Pioneer delivers clear and vibrant sound. The speakers are easy to install in your car. Also, their black color blends into modern car interiors.

Features

• Integrated 3-way design with super tweeters
• Smooth-off axis response
• Lightweight elastic polymer surrounds for high sensitivity
• 92 dB sensitivity
• Passive crossover network

Pros

• Excellent handling power
• 4-ways speakers
• Great for beginners in-car audio
• Consistent sound everywhere

Cons

• It takes time to perform at full capacity

Do I Need an AMP for 6×9 Speakers?

It’s misleading to say you need an amp for 6×9 speakers. Your speakers are already the best and can function alone correctly. However, there are several advantages you’ll get by using an amplifier to drive the speakers;

• lower distortion and cleaner sound
• ability to block power-robbing
• lots of power available and much volume
• flexibility for your system

Things to Consider When Choosing 6×9 Car Speakers

Consider the following factors when purchasing a car speaker;

• Type of speaker: either component where all units are separate or full-range a single unit system.
• Sound quality: more expansive sound-range sound is better with a standard peak frequency of 20,000Hz, the lowest peak of 10 Hertz.
• Speaker sensitivity: low-powered stereo systems match with the highly sensitive speaker.
• Power handling: low-powered stereo will require speakers around 2-50 watts RMS.
• 2-way or 3-way: 3way speakers have a woofer, tweeter, and added mid-range components while 2-way has a woofer and tweeter.
• Speaker build materials: polypropylene is best due to accurate bass sounds.
• Speaker compatibility and configuration: speaker should match your car model.
• Cost of the speaker: purchase a budget-friendly speaker.

Conclusion

The 6×9 speakers are the best to upgrade your car audio systems. Choose the best sound quality speakers from the list following the guidelines when buying. With 6×9 speakers, you will enjoy your time while driving.