Car audio question..

["Hank Eskin" <henry@xxxx>]

Today I installed my new Alpine radio. I'll spare everyone the details, but
the install went very well, due to lots of preparation and DML research.
But I have a problem.

The radio basically works OK - all functions work - power antenna, proper
illumination, no sparks or shorts, and everything else in the car still
works fine. This radio has a built in 27 watt RMS/60 watt peak x 4 channel
amp, which is powered by a direct connection to the battery (positive and
ground).

Here's the problem: The sound is good upto volume level 14 or 15 (I know
the numbers are meaningless, but it's just a point of reference). That
level is a good, normal level for listening to most things and still carry a
conversation with someone. As soon as I turn it up past that point, I get
increasing amounts of loud static. It's not the speakers clipping, or a
clipping sound at all, the best I can do is describe it as loud static. I'm
also pretty sure it the amount of static is proportional to the amount of
bass in the music and/or the bass setting on the radio.

Here's what I think the problem may be, but I'd like some professional (or
at least knowledgeable) opinions. The Delorean wiring harness for the Craig
radio share a common (-) lead between the front and rear speakers for each
side. (Right common and left common), plus four (+) leads for each speaker
(6 total leads). Of course, the new radio has separate + and - leads for
each speaker (eight total leads). I combined the each of the two (-) leads
for the left and right sides to match up to the harness (8 leads to 6
leads). Is it likely that the combining of these two sets of two leads from
the radio is causing the amplifier to cause this static? Should I go back
in and just wire the speakers directly to the radio leads?

Besides this one problem, the radio sounds great - no hiss or hum or engine
interference, etc.

Thanks,

-Hank #1619