Audio problem when cold...need ideas

[Meisner]

[Also posted on CamryMan...no responses]

When it gets real cold out, my audio system has a problem. The front speakers are Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.1 component speakers. When cold, only the tweeters work. The woofers create no sound at all. After running the heater for about 20 minutes (when it's 10 degrees out) the front woofers both start working almost at the same time.

What would you guys guess is the problem? I don't think it is the head unit (since the tweeters are working fine). It could be the Kenwood KAC-859 amp...but I still wouldn't expect only the woofers to not work. So could it be the crossover unit for the Kappas? I thought that was a passive device...and how could they both start working almost at the same time? That's too coincidental.

Any opinions???? Please????

[oismail]

Your problem sounds pretty weird, Ive had problems with my stereo at cold temps, but not anything like yours.

It could be the amp, but then why would the tweeters only work?

Just don't turn the stereo on until the car warms up.

Hopefully someone here will know whats going on.

[mauibuilt59]

I've had problems when my xtant amp would need to be on for 20 minutes before it started working. And just a week ago, i think my home system's tweeter broke because something to do with the cold. good question...makes me wanna know what the hell's going on.

[brink]

This is a long shot, but maybe you've got a line break somewhere... what I'm thinking is when the metal at the break is cold it's in a contracted state causing a gap. When it warms up the metal expands and closes the gap.

Reason I think of this is cause I had this kind of problem but in the other direction with a corroded spade connector. In my situation when it heated up the metal would expand away and create a break in the signal.

This is just a guess though.

[Meisner]

Originally posted by brink
This is a long shot, but maybe you've got a line break somewhere... what I'm thinking is when the metal at the break is cold it's in a contracted state causing a gap. When it warms up the metal expands and closes the gap.

Reason I think of this is cause I had this kind of problem but in the other direction with a corroded spade connector. In my situation when it heated up the metal would expand away and create a break in the signal.

This is just a guess though.

I thought about this theory as well, but discounted it rather quickly thinking it was far fetched. Now that someone else mentions it, maybe I should consider it.

Another person mentioned they had a Kenwood amp as well and was having the exact same problem. Could be the operating temp of the amp. It's not specified in the owner's manual.

[mauibuilt59]

Just get a voltmeter and check it out. Check the wires at the amp and at the tweeter to see if current is running through. Maybe its your tweeter thats the problem

[epborden]

I was thinking the same thing Brink said. My friend, in cold weather his headunit doesn't play cd's right. My theory is that when it is cold the components are more stiff. When there is some slight heat, or reg. heat applied the metal components are more flexible and thus move better.

Though maybe it could be anything, you could even go as far as to say maybe the woofer material is restrictive in cold weather.

But then again it just sounds like a break, or your contacts are wierd, or whatever.

Get Luc maybe he will know.