Amp sound

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Jman111

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2025
Posts
3
Reaction score
3
Location
S
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7 v8 hemi
I recently bought aftermarket head unit for my 2017 ram 1500 big horn with the alpine sound system. All the features work except for the sound quality. idk what’s going on with my balance and fade. My front driver and passenger door speakers sound low and seems to only play lower frequencies. As for my other speakers back doors, back roof, and dash speakers sound alright but I feel they’re lacking bass. When I try adjusting through the sound setting I can’t adjust any audio to the front door speakers. As well as setting the balance to the right I still hear audio coming out of the back left door and roof speakers and when I adjust all the way left I get audio out of the back right door and roof speakers. Now Idk if this was an ongoing issue prior to installing the head unit but I ended up hooking the OEM head unit back up to see if it would clear the sound issues but it still sound like the front doors are low and are only getting lower frequencies. Im wondering if this has something to do with the factory alpine amp.
 

SitKneelBend

Moderator
Staff member
Member Relations Specialist
Moderator Supporting Member Marine Corps
Joined
Jan 8, 2015
Posts
10,935
Reaction score
7,589
Location
St. Louis
Ram Year
2014
Engine
3.6 Pentastar
I recently bought aftermarket head unit for my 2017 ram 1500 big horn with the alpine sound system. All the features work except for the sound quality. idk what’s going on with my balance and fade. My front driver and passenger door speakers sound low and seems to only play lower frequencies. As for my other speakers back doors, back roof, and dash speakers sound alright but I feel they’re lacking bass. When I try adjusting through the sound setting I can’t adjust any audio to the front door speakers. As well as setting the balance to the right I still hear audio coming out of the back left door and roof speakers and when I adjust all the way left I get audio out of the back right door and roof speakers. Now Idk if this was an ongoing issue prior to installing the head unit but I ended up hooking the OEM head unit back up to see if it would clear the sound issues but it still sound like the front doors are low and are only getting lower frequencies. Im wondering if this has something to do with the factory alpine amp.
I believe it does and typically you have to purchase an aftermarket system that is aware of the factory amp (settings in software to change), provide an adaptor, and/or by a specific unit with bespoke wiring for the aftermarket headunit to interface with the amp. Which radio did you purchase?
 
OP
OP
J

Jman111

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2025
Posts
3
Reaction score
3
Location
S
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7 v8 hemi
@SitKneelBend I purchased 8-Core 8+128GB Car Radio for Dodge Ram 1500 2500 3500 2013-2018 Auto AC Stereo Upgrade Dash Kit, Android 12 9" IPS Touch Screen Head Unit Built-in Car-Play/Android Auto/DSP/RDS/Navi I put the factory 8.4 inch OEM head unit back in and the speakers did the same thing. So I’m unsure if it’s the aftermarket or if it’s the amplifier itself in the truck.
 

SitKneelBend

Moderator
Staff member
Member Relations Specialist
Moderator Supporting Member Marine Corps
Joined
Jan 8, 2015
Posts
10,935
Reaction score
7,589
Location
St. Louis
Ram Year
2014
Engine
3.6 Pentastar
@SitKneelBend I purchased 8-Core 8+128GB Car Radio for Dodge Ram 1500 2500 3500 2013-2018 Auto AC Stereo Upgrade Dash Kit, Android 12 9" IPS Touch Screen Head Unit Built-in Car-Play/Android Auto/DSP/RDS/Navi I put the factory 8.4 inch OEM head unit back in and the speakers did the same thing. So I’m unsure if it’s the aftermarket or if it’s the amplifier itself in the truck.
Can you post a link to what you purchased?
 

GeauxinUp

Senior Member
Navy Badge
Joined
Feb 9, 2025
Posts
660
Reaction score
1,278
Location
Louisiana
Ram Year
2026 Limited
Engine
3.0L TT H.O.
@SitKneelBend I purchased 8-Core 8+128GB Car Radio for Dodge Ram 1500 2500 3500 2013-2018 Auto AC Stereo Upgrade Dash Kit, Android 12 9" IPS Touch Screen Head Unit Built-in Car-Play/Android Auto/DSP/RDS/Navi I put the factory 8.4 inch OEM head unit back in and the speakers did the same thing. So I’m unsure if it’s the aftermarket or if it’s the amplifier itself in the truck.
If that’s the case, maybe you popped a fuse?
 

Sherman Bird

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2019
Posts
3,076
Reaction score
6,653
Location
Houston, Texas
Ram Year
1998
Engine
5.2
I believe it does and typically you have to purchase an aftermarket system that is aware of the factory amp (settings in software to change), provide an adaptor, and/or by a specific unit with bespoke wiring for the aftermarket headunit to interface with the amp. Which radio did you purchase?
Isn't it GREAT! These days, you almost have to have an ongoing subscription to the OE's website, be an engineer, and own a computer/ scanner capable of reprogramming for EVERY little thing! I recently replace the ABS controller/hydraulic unit on a Coyote powered 2016 F-150. I own the Ford IDS factory scan tool, and purchased a one month subscription so's I could program the unit with "As Built" software. This ensures that if there are/were any recalls/modifications/ software patches issued over the past 9 years, the new files would be the latest and greatest. It also tells the Mothership WHO, When, Where someone is going into program files on THAT VIN identified vehicle! (George Orwell was right!) due to the REQUIRED DOIP (Diagnosis Over Internet Protocol) My credentials are recorded as a part of the whole thing. I was also required to call Ford and THEY had to share my computer so THEY could activate my VCM for this one month usage! Again, Ain't it GREAT!

I bought an entire month due to the fact that I also had a 2008 Expedition in for a replacement of a bad SJB (Smart Junction Box), similar to a TIPM. In order to program THAT 17 year old vehicle, one has to find the hexadecimal code on line. That cost $75.00 for 2 days, $300.00 for a month, and almost a grand for a year. And THAT does NOT cover the OE service info website.

My nearly one thousand dollar battery charger/maintainer/flash capable Snap On tool necessary to maintain 14.2 clean volts during programming, a very expensive laptop with gaming level functions(so my kids don't retire and have their own grandkids during the programming), the factory tool (not totally necessary because some high end scanners can do the job), AND, in the case of the 2008 Expedition, an expensive generic TPMS tool to train the tire pressure sensors in all the tires during the programming procedure. On top of all that, if one operates the vehicle without programming the SJB, (if it somehow gets past security protocol), the dome light flash incessantly, and warning messages/light provide entertainment!

Even with the "Right To Repair" act, the manufacturers do a pretty good job of making those repairs prohibitively expensive and troublesome.

Now to my point: As to your amplifier, it is in the CAN/BUS loop. An aftermarket head unit would certainly have to be "introduced" to the network, somehow, so, I must wonder in this case, what level of idiocy must be adhered to in order for you to be entertained, such as my related story above!

The SJB replacement was due to a malfunction in the "delay exit" feature that keeps power to the radio, windows, and the dome lights for up to 10 minutes unless the driver's door is opened.... This malfunction was that the opening of the driver's door did not cause the power to go off, providing for a draw on the battery.

No wonder that so many people are buying older vehicles and fixing those up!
 
Back
Top